The public and Landowner Conference attendees are invited to attend this field trip to Mt Helena City Park to view and learn about the changes in vegetation that have occurred over time and the practices that the City of Helena is implementing to maintain the vegetation in a healthy and attractive condition. This is a great opportunity to walk the forest with foresters and gather ideas for your property management.

Mt Helena is the dominant physical feature of Mt Helena City Park, located on the south side of Helena. This City Park is now the largest in the United States. The area was heavily forested when gold was discovered in Last Chance Gulch, but most of the trees were harvested to supply mining structures, homes and firewood. Over time the mountain has become heavily forested again. This dense forest made the trees susceptible to bark beetles and to high intensity fires. From 2002 to 2024, C. R. Anderson Middle School students have been collecting information to help city managers improve the forest health and reduce the threat from wildfires. Learn what the City has done and is planning to do to improve the situation.

Field Introduction and information will begin at 9:00 AM at the Colonial Inn. At 10:00 AM the bus will depart for the field site from the Colonial Inn parking lot, returning to Colonial Inn at 12:45PM. Private cars may be used, but parking is limited. Bus transportation will be limited so sign up now! Participants must register in advance. For those choosing just the field trip, register at Montana Society of American Foresters (Montana Foresters.org). To learn more about and register for the Landowner Conference and field trip go to the Forest Stewardship Foundation (ForestStewardship Foundation.org).

Those attending the Conference will have priority to attend the field trip.

Questions? [email protected] or call (406) 410-0546 and leave a message.

Click here to register