Silent Auction
90
Glacier National Park Getaway!
$1230A beautiful retreat for up to 8 guests to one of our nation's best natural treasures!
Yards from the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, feet from Glacier View Golf Course, and a literal stone's throw from Glacier National Park... this is where the river meets the fairway. Whether you're in search of quiet mornings, rising trout, an epic trek through Glacier, or all of the above, start your journey here. Your accommodations for this trip sits at the intersection of boundless adventure, uninhibited relaxation, and perpetual fun.
Minutes from Glacier National Park
This is the coziest modern retreat nestled just outside the entrance to Glacier National Park. Whether you're here for hiking, scenic drives, or simply to unwind in nature, this newly renovated space is the perfect home base.
Enjoy stunning views, peaceful surroundings, and all the comforts of home, including a fully equipped kitchen, high-speed Wi-Fi, and plush bedding. Thoughtful touches throughout reflect our deep local roots to make your stay unforgettable.
Two Nights
Up to 8 Guests
Reservations for October-December 2026, subject to availability
For more information see listing on AIRBNB
Thank you to Caitlin Twohig for this generous donation!
91
Nature Journaling Class for 10
$300Spend the afternoon with up to ten friends treating yourselves to a day of drawing and observation in this exclusive nature journaling workshop! Your host and instructor for the afternoon is local artist, Nancy Seiler, who will work with you one-on-one throughout the three-hour class, sharing numerous tips and exercises to achieve drawing success!
Nature journaling is for everyone - and so is this workshop! From beginners to experienced illustrators, the practice of natural journaling is a powerful tool for deepening connection to our natural world.
The winning bidder can pick the date and location of their choice; this workshop can be hosted inside or outside, and MNHC is happy to help suggest some great locations in our nearby public lands and spaces!
Your lunch for the afternoon is provided by local favorite and Best of Missoula Winner Tagliare Delicatessen.
Nancy Seiler received her Visual Communications degree from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1981. In 1988 she started her graphic design business which she had for over 35 years. She taught classical botanical illustration and nature journaling on her own as well as the uses of acrylics, oils and watercolors for GOLDEN Artist Colors. Her work is represented by Frame of Reference Fine Art in Whitefish and Bigfork, Montana.
Details:
- Up to 10 guests, 3 hours
- Date and location are your choice, pending host availability
Excursion expires August 31, 2026
Thank you to Tagliare Delicatessen for catering this afternoon experience.
We are so grateful to Nancy for her generosity and sharing her time and talent with the MNHC community!
111
Birding in Missoula Tour
$250Revel in Missoula's amazing avian life with this birding tour for two with naturalist Elena Ulev of Blue Heron Nature Tours.
Missoula has many great places to bird year-round. From bohemian waxwings and northern shrikes in the winter to yellow warblers and mountain bluebirds in the summer, every season is fun to bird in. You will go to Elena's favorite local spot which has forest, riparian, and grassland habitats, ensuring that you see a huge variety of birds.
To date, Elena has recorded 119 bird species at this spot, which includes raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds, owls, and migratory songbirds.
Length: 2 hours - 9:00-11:00 a.m OR 12:00-2:00 p.m.
The walk is 1.7 miles long on a flat gravel path that is handicapped accessible and there are restrooms at the trailhead. If you need a wheelchair suitable for gravel trails, they are available to rent in Missoula for free. New Vortex binoculars are available to borrow. Elena will bring her Vortex spotting scope to hone in really closely on the birds.
Must be used by October 25th, 2026.
115
Wavy Pine, Trillium, & Swallow
$250Take home this triptych of gorgeous Montana species by printmaker David Lusk: an 11"x14" wavy ponderosa pine (our state tree!), a 9"x12" trillium, and a 5"x7" tree swallow. Bring a little bit of Montana's wild and wonderful beauty into your home!
David received his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in printmaking from the University of Montana in 2014. He is inspired by the intersection of science and mythology, and nature & humanity. See more of his work at anomalpress.com.
127
Paleo Tour with Kallie Moore
$300Don't be petrified! All these animals are really, really dead. The University of Montana Paleontology Collection houses around 50,000 specimens from over 20 different countries. During your private tour, you'll be able to touch a 2.5 billion-year-old fossil, check out the life that swam in a shallow sea that covered Montana 320 million years ago, take some selfies with the skull of Montana's T. rex, and get all your questions about ancient life answered!
Details:
- What: Spend up to two hours on a private, backstage tour of the University of Montana Paleontology Collection with Kallie Moore, the Collections Manager, Fossil Librarian, and co-host of the YouTube channel, Eons (youtube.com/eons). You'll have the freedom to explore fossils of specific interest to you, and the chance to ask all the questions you can think of, while you share in Kallie's enthusiasm for earth's history. The University of Montana houses a collection of around 50,000 fossils that represent the ancient heritage of North America in addition to specimens from 20 different countries. Ask to see the oldest fossil in the collection - a 1.3 billion-year-old Stromatolite from Glacier National Park, learn about Montana's ancient sea life, or see fossils from some of Montana's earliest mammals. It is up to you!
- For: Up to 6 people (ages 8+)
- Expiration Date: Must have this experience before November 2026
- When: Tours must be scheduled during the week, but can be during evening hours (M-F).
- Value: 4.6 billion years of history
142
Marbled Blue Bliss Mugs
$150These handmade blue marble-glazed pottery mugs, crafted from Kentucky Mudworks brown bear clay by Kara Shapiro of Winding Pine Pottery, are so gorgeous that several of our staff are already planning a bidding war over them. Enter the battle at your peril...
These mugs are solid, lovely, with handles that fit perfectly into your hands, and they're just the right size for a generous serving of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or hot toddy. A great holiday gift!
About the artist: Kara's pottery journey started back in 1995. There were some long lapses in time but Winding Pine Pottery was started in Missoula, Montana, in 2018. Kara and her family moved to Newport, Oregon, in July of 2021. Her pottery is inspired by the nature around her. The ocean has become a big inspiration since moving to the Oregon Coast but the mountains will always be a big part of her love of nature (and Montana).
156
"OG Trek" by David Lusk
$220Take home this intricately crafted hand-cut relief print by local artist David Lusk. Image is printed with oil-based ink on kuzo paper, with a delicate torn edge.
8"x10"
David received his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in printmaking from the University of Montana in 2014. He is inspired by the intersection of science and mythology, and nature & humanity. See more of his work at anomalpress.com.
177
$250 to Beautify Your Yard!
$320Have you been longing to re-imagine your yard? Wanting to incorporate native plants but not sure how? This package is for you! Giles Thelen of Native Yards has generously donated $250 toward your choice of:
- Plants
- Landscape Design
- Native Plant Restoration
- Hardscape Design
- Survey & Mapping
- Winter Clean-up & Planning
Native Yards' mission is to promote and save native plant communities and the environment they inhabit. Native Yards provides design and installation of natural landscapes and hardscapes; removing unwanted plants from one lot to 10,000-acre plots, and replacing those with desired native species, via our custom seed mixes or with fully grown individuals. Learn more at nativeyards.com.
185
Vespiary Handmade Journal
$75This handmade journal has so many possible uses: a luxury for your personal thoughts, magical incantations, great American novel, or nature observations. This book, like each one crafted by Audra Loyal of The Vespiary, is a unique creation.
189
10 lbs Local Grass-Fed Beef
$150It's time for burgers, lasagna, meatballs, chili... Cook up your favorite meaty meals with 10 pounds of local, grass-fed beef, donated by Jen Knoetgen of Mountain Meat Shares. They provide quality meat from local farms to home cooks in western Montana so you can cook with variety and feel good about the meat you eat. Yum!
191
Montana Waterbird Skulls
$500The Montana Natural History Center commissioned local artist David Lusk to craft this striking print of Montana water bird skulls, inspired by specimens in our collections. Custom framing donated by the Art Haus. Print 1/50.
David received his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in printmaking from the University of Montana in 2014. He is inspired by the intersection of science and mythology, and nature & humanity. See more of his work at anomalpress.com.
199
2 Missoula Symphony Season Tix
$300The Missoula Symphony has generously donated two Sunday general admission season tickets for the 2025-2026 season, which runs fall to spring. Check out upcoming performances at missoulasymphony.org.
The Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale has delivered unique, live symphonic and choral music to Western Montana since 1954. Locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds attend our concerts, from our first-time symphony goers to our dedicated sponsors and community members.
Now, under the leadership of our new Music Director, Julia Tai, we have expanded our offerings even more. Our outreach and education program continues to provide scholarships to University of Montana music students and educational activities in regional public schools.