April 16th and 18th

Birding for Beginners

Lifelong Learning Center (Missoula)

To sign up, go to www.missoulaclasses.com

May 2

8:00-9:30 a.m.

Gardening For The Birds

Rocky Mountain Gardens at the Missoula Department of Ecology and Extension

To sign up, go to

www.missoulaeduplace.org

It is spring and the migratory birds are arriving en masse to Western Montana In this class students will learn how to identify 25+ species of birds by sight and by sound, including woodpeckers, raptors, waterfowl and more. This is a 2-part class with a classroom session to learn the basics and then a morning birding at a hotspot to practice our skills. 

May 18th, June 1st and August 24th

Hands-on Healthy Cooking Classes

Lifelong Learning Center, (Missoula)

To sign up, go to:

missoulaclasses.com

Registration will open on April 1st

Join Jill Leblow and Blue Heron Nature Tours in the Rocky Mountain Gardens for an hour of birding. Expect to see a variety of songbirds using this beautiful and diverse garden right in the middle of Missoula. We will also discuss what plants to add to your garden to attract all kinds of birds.

May 12 and May 26

, June 9, and June 30

, July 14 and 28

August 11 and 25

Natural History Classes at the Fort Missoula Native Plant Garden (by the silver water tower)

9:00-11:00 a.m.

Sign up with the Montana Natural History Center:

www.montananaturalist.org

There are three things in life that I love- natural history, cooking healthy food and art. I will be teaching 2.5 hour hands-on cooking classes at Missoula’s Lifelong Learning Center. I will be a teaching a Minestrone Soup With Homemade Pesto and Croutons class on May 18th, Spanokopita on June 1st and Spectacular Salads Featuring Missoula Farmer’s Market Produce on August 24th

In addition to owning Blue Heron Nature Tours, I am the Native Plant Garden Manager for the Montana Natural History Center. Our biggest garden is at Fort Missoula by the silver water tower.

The classes that I will be teaching include: Birding Extravaganza along the River, 20 Native Plants for Food Medicine and More, Watercolor Paint a Wildflower in the Garden, Nature Journaling and Dig Your Own Native Shrubs to Take Home

May 16th, 9:00-11:30 a.m.

Adopt a Highway Cleanup

Hwy. 93 between the Humane Society and the awesome old weeping willow tree

Blue Heron Nature Tours has adopted a 2-mile stretch of Highway 93 for trash cleanup. We will meet at the Humane Society parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and be done by 11:30 a.m., possibly earlier depending on our crew size. Please bring your own gloves and trashbags and safety vests will be provided. Snacks provided too!

Please email Elena at info@blueheronnaturetours.com to sign up.

June 11, 8:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m

Birding at Doyle’s Slough and Riverside Park in Lolo

Bitterroot Bird Alliance

To sign up, go to

bitterrootbirdalliance.org

BItterroot Bird Alliance is formerly known as Bitterroot Audubon. They are offering field trips to various locations in the Bitterroot Valley and I will be leading one in Lolo. We will first bird Doyl'e’s Slough then walk 1. 5 miles along the Bitterroot River. We will easily see 40+ bird species in just 3 hours, including yellow warblers, gray catbirds, American kestrels and western bluebirds.

Dates TBD

Attracting Birds To Your Yard During Winter

Lifelong Learning Center (Missoula)

www.missoulaclasses.com

Registration opens October 1st

Winter is a great time to feed the birds from the comfort of your home. You don’t have to worry about bears raiding your feeders and since natural food is scarce, the birds will love what you provide for them. We will discuss what species of birds you can expect to see in your yard, as well as styles of feeders and foods that attract specific species. You will also learn some simple habitat features to provide for them.. 

November 22nd, 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Make a Bird Seed Wreath!

Montana Natural History Center

www.montananaturalist.org

Elena will help you get to know the common winter birds who might visit your yard – chickadees, juncos, nuthatches, and more. Then let the festive wreath making begin!

Using seeds, gelatin, and decorative dried berries, you will create a lovely wreath to keep or give as a holiday gift. You’ll be able to watch the antics of backyard birds as they fly to and from your wreath, practice your birding skills, and connect with wild nature right outside your window!

December 4th, 2026

Holiday Craft Bazaar

Montana Natural History Center

www.montananaturalist.org

I will have a booth at this sweet little holiday bazaar selling my handmade pine needle baskets, bird seed wreaths and botanical earrings. Everything is affordable and make great gifts for the holidays! Come say “hi” and check out the Montana Natural History Center and all it has to offer too. Free entry.

January and February 2027

Free Naturalist Classes and Cooking Demos at the Missoula Public Library

MOLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Montana) classes TBD

Winter and Spring Sessions

www.

I’ve been teaching MOLLI courses through the University of Montana for 4 years during the winter and/or spring sessions. From Winter Birding to Story of Spices Cooking Class, they range from 3 to 6 weeks long. I’m not sure what’s up my own sleeve yet, so stay tuned for a course catalog with the class that I decide to teach in late fall.