It's time again for the annual Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates (GNPVA) Winter Speaker Series, a tradition in the Flathead Valley for decades. 2020 brings three interesting and informative presenters to the Northwest Montana History Museum (formerly the Museum at Central School) 124 Second Ave. E in downtown Kalispell. Talks begin at 7 pm on the fourth Monday of January, February, and March. The Community is welcome, attendance is Free.
On January 27, Bill Schustrom, Glacier National Park Naturalist and Seasonal Interpretative Ranger will call upon his 47 summers in Glacier National Park for a presentation entitled "Memories You Should Take Home After Spending a Summer in Glacier National Park". Each opening season Bill has instructed over 700 concessionaires, law enforcement, hoteliers, and first time employees on how to maximize their Glacier Park experience while extending hospitality to our many visitors.
Then on February 24, Sierra Mandelko, Cultural Resources Program Manager at Glacier National Park will present a program titled "Cultural Resources of Glacier National Park: A Puzzling Story Of How Humans Benefit From The Landscape". "With only 2% of the park surveyed, every day is an adventure" remarks Sierra Mandelko, steward of nearly 800 historic sites and buildings in Glacier Park. Her work with the park includes tribal relations and preservation of six national historic landmarks. Sierra will present an overview of what cultural resources are and how the National Park Service works to preserve and protect these for future generations. A sample of park artifacts from her teaching collection will accompany the presentation.
Our Final presentation on March 23 will feature Mary Riddle, Chief of Planning and Environmental Compliance at Glacier Park: "What We Know and What We Don't Know for 2020: Planning, Construction and Other Program Activities in Glacier National Park" will be our third and final presentation for the year. And how fortunate to have Mary Riddle, Chief of Planning and Environmental Compliance, with 25 years of Glacier National Park experience as our presenter. Topics to be covered include the ongoing visitor monitoring program, trail use, parking lot congestion, resource impacts of 2019 and the Many Glacier Road rehabilitation. Mary's question and answer period will most certainly be a lively one.