Area outdoor happenings

Reach the Summit

Today the American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific will host a presentation at the Base Camp on the group's Reach the Summit fundraiser. Reach the Summit is designed to give climbers of all levels the training, technical support, and guide services they need to summit a mountain while raising funds for lung disease research and awareness. The event takes place at 6:30 p.m. For more

information, call 503-546-7888.

Alaskan walkabout

Today, Marty Zajanc will give a presentation on his Alaskan walkabout at the Lewis and Clark Library at 7 p.m. The presentation, "Alaska Trek," covers his time in the Alaskan wild. For more information, log on to www.alaskawalkabout.com.

Passion Plunge

On Feb. 14, Helena will host its annual Sweetheart Passion Plunge at Spring Meadow Lake State Park. Take the icy plunge to raise money for Special Olympics Montana. Last year, the event raised $28,000. For more information, call Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, or log on to fwp.mt.gov

Hiking Deep Creek Canyon

On Feb. 16, the Montana Discovery Foundation will lead a hike into Deep Creek Canyon following the Carl Creek Trail. The hour snowshoe hike follows Carl Creek as it winds through Douglas fir and aspen stands. Snowshoes are provided and reservations can be made through the Old Baldy Program in Townsend. Please contact Sam at 495-3718, or Debbie at 495-3711 for more information.

Smith River Deadline

On Feb. 17, all applications for a Smith River permit must be postmarked or submitted to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Call 406-454-5840, or log on to fwp.mt.gov.

Ski into the Charter Oak Mine

On Feb. 28, the Montana Discovery Foundation will ski into the Charter Oak Mine on the Little Blackfoot near Elliston. Leaders will leave the parking at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Once at the mine site, Carl Davis with the Helena National Forest will lead snowshoe tours of the site. Reservations are required for all programs. Please contact Sam at 495-3718, or Debbie at 495-3711 for more information.

Ducks Unlimited

On March 6, Helena Ducks Unlimited will host its annual banquet, and tickets are now on sale. This year's Early Bird drawing is for a Savage Gold Wing shotgun donated by Helena Abstract & Title Co. In Montana, DU has completed more than 440 projects at a cost of over $20 million with over 46,000 acres of habitat being protected or improved. To order tickets for the banquet, or for more information, call Kathy Stirner at 458-6411.

Montana's butterflies

On March 24, at 7 p.m., Steve Kohler will present "Montana's Butterflies and Their Plants." Kohler will talk about some of the work he has been doing on the food plants of butterfly larvae. Free in the large meeting room at the Lewis and Clark Library.

All about bugs

On Feb. 18, Patty Denke, entomologist and manager of the Montana Department of Agriculture's Pest Management Program, will present "Native Pollinators and Butterfly Gardens" at Mountain West Bank at 7 p.m. Denke will discuss native bees, leaf cutters and other pollinators, and what can be planted to help pollinators.

Nordic Ski outing

On Feb. 21 and 22, travel to Mount Hagggin or Georgetown Lake for Nordic skiing. Spend one day, or stay over in an Anaconda hotel. Marcus Daly Motel has ski package rates. Call JoAnne

449-7971 or Mary Alice 495-8787.

Readers: The deadline to submit an event for Thursday's outdoors section is now on Monday. Please send event information to the outdoors editor at mkidston@helenair.com.