Flathead Lake State Parks and UM Bio Station Providing Jr. Ranger To-Go Kits this Winter
This press release was adapted from an original release provided by the Montana State Parks. Banner photo courtesy of Hunter D'Antuono of the Flathead Beacon.
Montana State Parks recently announced that Flathead Lake State Park and the Flathead Lake Biological Station Flathead Lake Aquatic Research and Education (FLARE) K-12 Program will be handing out Jr. Ranger To-Go Kits this winter.
“The kits are geared towards students between the 2nd and 6th grades,” said FLBS education coordinator Kelly Minear. “Each kit includes directions for a couple fun activities that kids can complete at home or outside, and everything they need for each activity will be provided in the kit.”
The series of Jr. Ranger To-Go Kits being offered by Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park and Flathead Lake Biological Station this winter will cover a range of topics that include birding, owls, snow science, and winter’s effects on forest/lake ecology.
The kits will rotate topics every other week starting December 20th and the last set will be handed out on February 28th. Each Jr. Ranger To Go Kit will be available for two weeks.
Locations for pick up are: Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park, Flathead Lake Biological Station, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Head Quarters (490 N Meridian, Kalispell).
Schedule for the kits is:
- December 20th: Hibernation
- January 3rd: Winter Lake Ecology
- January 17th: Snow Ranger
- January 31st: Winter Birding
- February 14th: Winter Scientists
- February 28th: Owls
Kits will be available on a first come, first served basis throughout the two-week period.
Each kit will have lesson plans, activities, and materials provided. Supplies are limited, one kit is available per household.
You can pick up your kit from:
- Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park anytime (the kits will be in a bin outside the Ranger Station).
- Flathead Lake Biological Station at 32125 Bio Station Ln, Polson, MT 59860: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm.
- Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Headquarters at 490 N Meridian in Kalispell: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
For more information call the Ranger Station at (406) 837-3041 ext. 0 or the Flathead Lake Biological Station at (406) 872-4507.
Flathead Lake State Park consists of six unique park units located around Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The park units on the east side are Wayfarers, Yellow Bay and Finley Point and the west side units are West Shore, Big Arm and Wild Horse Island. In addition to boating, swimming and fishing, each park unit offers unique experiences including camping, rental picnic shelters, group camping, hiking, sightseeing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The Flathead Lake Biological Station is the second oldest biological field station in the US and the oldest west of the Mississippi River. The Flathead Lake Aquatic Research and Education program (FLARE) engages K-12 students and teachers in advancing their understanding of lakes and streams. Through hands-on investigations in their own backyard and engagement with world-leading aquatic scientists at FLBS, we hope to spark an interest in science among the region’s young people that may lead them to explore careers in science and conservation.