Stewardship in practice. Community in action.
Summer/Fall 2026
Instructor: Katherine Spann
Saturday, August 8 | 11 AM -1 PM
Location: Weber Gulch Trailhead | Weber Gulch Road, Thompson Falls, MT
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Join Kaniksu Land Trust and foraging and herbalism expert Katherine Spann for an informative hike about foraging local plants.
We’ll meet at the Weber Gulch Trailhead and hike the Sqaylth-Kwum Trail north of Thompson Falls.
Come prepared to hike about 2 hours. Please bring a water bottle. Some light snacks and water will be available at the trailhead.
All ages welcome.
Spring/Summer 2026
Instructor: Shaun Deller, Kaniksu Land Trust
Thursday, March 19 | 6-7 PM
Venue: Whitepine Grange | 9 Faro Lane, Trout Creek, MT
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Join Kaniksu Land Trust educator, Shaun Deller, for a fur trade history display and slide show presentation following the trail of the explorer, cartographer and fur trader, David Thompson. Shaun will discuss Thompson's travels into Montana, Idaho and Washington and his interactions with the indigenous cultures he met and was guided by along the way. Shaun will bring a large display of historic trade goods and furs to show, while also sharing photos of his recent horse packing trip up to Howse Pass, where David Thompson crossed over the Rockies in 1807 to establish trade with the Kootenai Tribe.
Shaun Deller is an assistant educator at KLT and coordinator of the Kaniksu Folk School. He is also a member of the American Mountain Men and the Northwest Fur Trade Historians. He enjoys learning about history through participating in historical treks and rendezvous where modern individuals go into the wilderness carrying only the clothing and gear used by the men and women in the early 19th century. Shaun believes that through this travel on foot, canoe or horseback, one can better come to understand the hardships and the reality of what life was like in this earlier time of our nation's history.
All ages welcome.
Instructor: Ron Toretta, US Forest Service
Tuesday, April 21 | 6 PM-7 PM
Venue: Whitepine Grange | 9 Faro Lane, Trout Creek, MT
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Presentation from Ron Toretta, Wildlife Biologist in the US Forest Service Cabinet Ranger District, about the various wildlife we have in Sanders County.
All ages welcome.
Instructor: Jamie Schmidt, MSU Extension
Thursday, April 23 | 5-6 PM
Venue: Whitepine Grange | 9 Faro Lane, Trout Creek, MT
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Learn about how to make and keep your soil healthy with a hands-on lab with Jamie Schmidt, MSU Extension Agent. You’ll build a diagram to learn the mechanics of soil.
All ages welcome.
Instructor: Don Feist, Eastern Sanders Conservation District
Thursday, May 12 | 6-7 PM
Venue: Whitepine Grange | 9 Faro Lane, Trout Creek, MT
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Learn how to be the best steward you can be for your forested land from conservation expert Don Feist.
All ages welcome.
Instructor: MT Farmers Union and MSU Extension
Wednesday, May 20 | 9AM-4PM
(check description)
Venue: Sanders County Fairgrounds Pavilion | 30 River Road, Plains, MT
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Tractor safety, maintenance, and operation with MT Farmers Union and MSU Extension.
Tractor 101 9am-12pm: general tractor maintenance, parts, and types of tractors
Lunch 12pm-1pm
Tractor 102 1pm-4pm: hands-on tractor driving and implementation use
Please register for the 101, 102, or both along with the optional lunch so we can ensure adequate supplies.
Instructor: Jase Sorenson, MT DNRC
Thursday, June 11 | 6 PM-7 PM
Venue: Whitepine Grange | 9 Faro Lane, Trout Creek, MT
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Jase Sorenson, Fire Adapted Community Coordinator for MT Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, will present on tips to prepare your home and land for wildfires. Some topics he’ll cover include:
Basic Fire Behavior
Home Ignition Zone
Hardening the Home
Landscaping for Fire Resistance
Access/ Firefighter Safety
Evacuation Preparedness
Alerts/ notification systems
Community Level Preparedness
Instructor: Kirk Keller
Tuesday, June 16 | 1 PM-3 PM
(bring your own equipment)
Venue: Vermillion Bay | Blueslide Rd/Vermillion Creek Rd, Trout Creek, MT
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Join Kirk Keller to learn safety tips for recreating in water and operating kayaks/paddle boards.
Park near the boat ramp in the day use area. Bring your own kayak/board and lifejacket please!
Launch location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4JTy1qBiwPeEc6u57