Public Invited to Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Science and History Day

Date: July 11, 2011
Contact: Ellen Blickhan, 406 888-5838
Contact: Tara Carolin, 406 888-7863

WEST GLACIER, MONTANA – Officials from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park invite the public to the eighth annual Waterton-Glacier Science and History Day on Friday, July 22, from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at the Lake McDonald Lodge Auditorium in Glacier National Park. The event is free of charge except for the park entrance fee. The public is encouraged to ride the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle system from the Apgar Transit Center to the Lake McDonald Lodge due to parking limitations.

The day’s presentations are divided into four thematic groups: aquatic resources; restoration and monitoring; history and social science; and wildlife. A wide variety of topics relating to natural, cultural, and social sciences and history will be covered including: stream monitoring; brook trout and bull trout; cave mapping; ethnohistory; archeology; mountain lions; and white-tailed ptarmigan.

Waterton Lakes National Park Superintendent Dave McDonough noted, "The peace and friendship of the Peace Park is captured in the many cooperative projects carried out in our scientific community. We are very excited about the broad range of excellent speakers we have lined up for this year’s event."

Glacier National Park Superintendent Chas Cartwright commented, "Science and History Day offers an outstanding opportunity for the public to learn about a sampling of research initiatives in the Peace Park. We welcome everyone to Glacier for this special event."

Office of Public Instruction (OPI) renewal units will be available for U.S. teachers who attend this conference. Interested teachers will have the opportunity to sign up for credit at the event.

Over 100 people have attended each of the previous forums. The event alternates between Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks. Refreshments will be available during breaks and there will be a lunch break from noon until 1:15 p.m. Attendees may choose to bring a picnic lunch or eat in a restaurant at Lake McDonald Lodge.

A detailed agenda is available at visitor centers in Glacier or by contacting the park receptionist in Waterton ([e-mail] or 403-859-2224). It is also available online at www.nps.gov/glac/naturescience/ccrlc-sciencehistoryday.htm. For more information, call the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at 406-888-5827 or Janice Smith, External Relations at Waterton, at 403-859-5127.