by Denny Olson In my column last month, I defined our earthly “community” as far larger than just the Flathead Valley community – or any community that includes just one species – us. To be sure, we have spent untold quadrillions of dollars and work hours to shape that larger community to fit our own…

by Denny Olson Community Ed From my experience, and I dare say the experience of tens of thousands of naturalists, artists, poets and explorers of the outer and inner landscapes, the big reason to include “nature” in our community of teachers, is that nature includes us in her usually benevolent and sometimes harsh rules. To…

Jenna Kimble wins Wildlife Conservation Award from Flathead Audubon for her project “Bird Brain” at the 2023 Flathead County Science Fair. Jenna used a maze and her own chickens to test their power to learn. Her hypothesis was that the chickens would take the trial-and-error approach to learning each time to find food at the…

by Denny Olson I am an Eagle. The small world laughs at my deeds,But the great sky keeps to itself My thoughts of immortality             – Taos Pueblo Song It felt like a coffin. I was lying on my back in what appeared to be a shallow grave. It was two feet deep…

by Denny Olson Studies about nature’s effects on stress and health are a growth industry worldwide. In England, an 18-year study showed that those who lived closest to green space reported less mental distress (after adjusting for variables, like income, education and employment). In the Netherlands, scientists found lower incidence of 15 diseases – including…

by Denny Olson I love the woods, the changing rivers, the vistas from above tree-line, and of course, the birds that are always there — everywhere. I can’t begin to count the ways that the outdoors has contributed to my general well-being. But my work as a conservation educator isn’t always driven by all those…