Environmental Education and Interpretation
Fort Peck hosts the fascinating Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum, a cooperative effort among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Fort Peck Paleontology Inc. Museum exhibits have a three-fold focus: wildlife of the CMR, dinosaurs of the Cretaceous period, and the construction of the Fort Peck Dam.
In summer, the museum is the epicenter of our environmental education and interpretation programs. During this season, we present a variety of topical speakers, themed weekends and children’s nature-oriented arts and crafts programs, as well as National Public Lands Day (a volunteer-oriented field event).
During the school year, presentations centered on the CMR and its place in the National Wildlife Refuge System are offered, as well as a skins and skulls match up and an endangered species touch program. In addition, educational trunks are available for loan with complete lesson plan options on subjects as diverse as: the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery, weather, trees, wolves, songbirds, bugs, dinosaurs and fossils, and the solar system.
Special Events:
- Water Carnival: June 30 from 10am-3pm
…..activities include popsicle boat races, water safety stations with miniature boat driving, shirt screening, fish printing, face painting and refreshments.
- Kid’s Fishing Derby: July 1 starting at 8am at the Kid’s Pond in Kiwanis Park
…..kid’s fishing derby, complete with fishing education, activities, and prizes!
Fishing regs and licenses do apply. Poles available if needed.
- FeatherFest: June 8, 9 & 10
…..the Interpretive Center will help host this Montana Audubon Society avian event on June 8 with:
>registration from 4-6pm
>weenie roast from 5:30-6:30pm
>beginning birding orientation at 6:30pm
>Kiwanis Park field trips 7-8pm or
> “Birdsong and Coffee” documentary about Costa Rica’s birds
…..the Interpretive Center will help host this avian event on June 9 with:
>Montana wildlife rehabilitator Vince Yannone and his live animal program
- Bioblitz: July 28 from 9am til noon
…..explore the worlds of insects, mammals, birds, fish, herps, plants and fossils with local experts in an outdoor field setting. Wildlife posters given to all participants.
…..at 3pm enjoy Vince Yannone and his lively animal program
- National Public Lands Day: August 4 starting at 8am
…..help with cleanup of hiking trails and recreation areas, tree trimming, bench painting and more. Includes a free BBQ lunch and prizes for volunteers.
…..at 1pm join Lois Lonquist as she and husband Del present a program of songs and stories about Fort Peck Dam construction days. Lois will also be signing her newly published book, “50 Cents an Hour” about this topic.
…..at 3pm speaker Rebecca Hanna will present “From Barge to Barn: The Life and Times of the Jefferson Dredge”. This dredge was used to create the Dam, and is now a barn in Northeastern Montana.
- Amphitheater Programs
…..spend your Saturday nights in the beautiful, starry-skied outdoors at our amphitheater in Kiwanis Park. Special presentations include:
>Sharon and Bill Rossiter’s “Tall Tales and Tall Songs” by wise men and smart alecks, featuring history and illiterature on June 16 at 7:30pm
>Andrew McKean of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks presents “Native Fish of the Missouri” on June 23 at 9:30pm
>John Carlson of the Bureau of Land Management tells us about “Birds of Antarctica” on July 21 at 9:30pm.
We will also be offering children’s programs and activities on Saturdays at 1 & 3pm,
and on Sundays at 2pm., in addition to other amphitheater fare through August.
Please call the Center at: 406-526-3493 for program specifics.
Hours of Operation at Interpretive Center
Summer hours of operation for the Interpretive Center are
May 1 through September 30, open every day 9am to 5pm.
Our fall/winter schedule will run October 1 through April 30,
open Monday through Friday 10am-4pm.
Important links:
Fort Peck Dam Interpretive Center and Museum: www.corpslakes.us/fortpeck, click on Local Attractions.
Fort Peck Paleontology, Inc: www.pecksrex.com.
