Run free and happy with Missoula's fun & supportive running community!

This package is perfect for runners and walkers of all speeds and all levels of experience (or lack of).

Get the gear and training you need to start moving and keep going, then put it into practice at the celebrated 2027 Missoula Marathon Weekend of Events!

The Missoula Marathon is one of our community's most beloved and best supported events. It's been named as the Best Marathon in the U.S. (repeatedly) by Runner's World magazine and others.

Package includes:

• (2) $150 gift cards to the Runner's Edge
• (3) Pairs of Runner's Edge socks
• (2) Runner's Edge-branded hat
• (2) HydraPak x Runner's Edge Water Bottles
• (4) Noogs Sour Energy Chews
• (1) MiiR x Runner's Edge Mug
• (1) Shokz OpenDots ONE Wireless Earbuds
• (1) Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
• (1) Freaks of Nature SPF Spray
• (2) Missoula Marathon, Half-Marathon or 5K entries
• (2) Training class memberships (17 weeks of coaching and group runs)
• (2) Race Weekend Finisher's Jackets
• (2) Race Day Hats

Value: $1,330

Thank you to the Brooker Family at the Runner's Edge and the team at Run Wild Missoula for offering such a fun, inclusive and motivational group of friends to run with, no matter your pace or distance.

Both energizing and calming, "Autumn Aspens" must be seen in person to fully appreciate the complex depth, color, and texture created by artist Nancy Seiler.

"Autumn Aspens" is a rendition of artist, Nancy Seiler's aspen series, which depict different seasons in the Montana mountains. Seiler captures the movement and curiosity of a forest in this vibrant and captivating piece just waiting for your home or office!

Nancy is a longtime friend of MNHC, and has served on the Auction Committee the last three years! Many of the amazing items in our live and silent auction were procured by Nancy.

Nancy 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 has taught classical botanical illustration, nature journaling and painting. See more of her work at Frame of Reference Fine Art (FoR) in Whitefish and Bigfork, Montana.

A huge thanks to Nancy Seiler for this amazing donation and all of her hard work on our auction this year!

Value: $2700
Artist: Nancy Seiler
Title: Autumn Aspens
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
40"H x30"W

Two-Day Fossil Dig for Four with Elevation Science Institute for Natural History Exploration

Contribute to real scientific research by helping the Elevation Science team uncover 150-million-year-old dinosaurs.

Work alongside scientists and dig for dinosaurs in the fossil-rich and rugged landscapes of southern Montana and northern Wyoming, near Red Lodge.

In this experience, your group will join the field expedition for two days during the 2027 summer season. During your adventure, you'll be doing hands-on work, contributing to decades-long research projects by helping the field teams find and excavate the fossilized remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric life.

What will you be excavating? Based on the success of previous field seasons, you'll have the chance to work on the Morrison Formation, which hold the remains of some of the largest animals ever to walk the Earth. Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus and more are the dinosaurs they uncover every day in the field. They're preserved with the remains of many other lifeforms -- all important pieces of the larger puzzle we're trying to assemble.

Whether you've held fossils before or you are a complete novice, the paleontologists on site will teach you everything you need to know. This will be an experience of a lifetime and you'll never look at the Montana landscape the same way again.

Value: $1800
4 guests, 2 days
Ages 8 and up
Does not include lodging or transportation.

For booking details see: elevationscience.org/fossil-dig-day-trips

A few more details: Winner should email Jason Schein at jschein@elevationscience.org and Beth Conway bconway@montananaturalist.org as soon as possible to ensure your best possible date. Day trips are limited to 5 people per day and they book fast.

AVAILABLE DATES FOR THE 2027 FIELD SEASON WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY 2027.

This auction item does not include lodging.

Thank you to Elevation Science Institute for this unique opportunity!

History and natural wonders await on this paddle through the wild and scenic upper Missouri River with Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures!

Made famous by the cross-continental journey of Lewis & Clark and Stephen Ambrose's bestselling book, Undaunted Courage, the region's rich history has inspired many to paddle the Missouri River's White Cliffs. You'll camp where Lewis & Clark camped and explore shared landscapes. For any willing traveler, this river trip offers an accessible route of discovery for the geology, wildlife, Native American culture, early explorers, and the pioneers that followed.

Peacefully float through white and gold sandstone canyons filled with the swooping swarms of swallows and the unending chorus of migrating songbirds. Re-image the prairie riverbanks covered with massive bison herds and curious grizzlies as you dine on delicious meals and rich stories alike. With no rapids and bathrooms at every campground, you will be free to pack your adventure anxieties away and focus instead on exploring this beautifully underappreciated landscape at the heart of the Great American Prairie and the histories of our nation.

When not on the river, stretch your legs onshore to discover narrow slot canyons, sandstone arches, petroglyphs, and historic tipi rings. You'll be treated with abundant wildlife viewing along one of North America's most crucial migration pathways through the Great Plains and open prairies of the American West.

Your expedition includes an MNHC Teaching Naturalist who can provide additional knowledge, context, and open up discussions about the landscape, wildlife, and history of the landscape. Take this opportunity to activate your curiosity and spend days basking in appreciation of one of the lesser-known natural splendors of our great state!

No prior river or naturalist experience necessary! Just a flexible attitude, patience with changing conditions, and a willingness to paddle up to 3-5 hours a day on calm waters. The Missouri is a favorite for beginner and experienced paddlers alike.

"The canoe trip down the Missouri River with Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures was an easy paddle through spectacular scenery with great Naturalist opportunities. We saw so many birds and magnificent geological features, and we learned a lot about the human and natural history of the amazing landscape from Wayne and Kevin. Jamie and the rest of the river guides made sure the guests were well fed and safe, which was very important to me as an inexperienced paddler." - Kelly Dix, Master Naturalist and 2025 L&C guest

Value: $2500
- 2 guests, 4 days
- Dates: June 24-27, 2027

Set your course for an unforgettable afternoon under sail on spectacular Flathead Lake!

Set your course for an unforgettable afternoon with Captain John Rimel and his classic 33' vintage sailboat.

The experience is entirely tailored to you and your guest. Want to feel the thrill of sailing? Trim the sails, heel the boat, and let Flathead's winds do the rest. Prefer a blend of adventure and exploration? We can glide across the glittering water to Skeeko Bay on Wild Horse Island, then hop into the dinghy or onto the paddle board and head ashore for a hike.

On Wild Horse Island, there's a real chance of spotting bighorn sheep, bands of horses, and maybe even an elusive ram perched high on the rocks. Or choose a more cultural voyage and sail to Painted Rocks to see ancient Native American pictographs etched into lakeside cliffs-a powerful reminder of the region's deep history. Throughout the day, you won't lift a finger: a delicious lunch and your beverages of choice are provided, whether enjoyed under sail or at anchor in a quiet cove.

Sails full, turquoise water, mountain views, and not a single responsibility on your list!

Value: Priceless
-2 guests
-Your trip must be used between mid-June and September 2027
-Subject to availability.

A Chef's Montana Wild Game Feast Paired with Exceptional Cellared Wines

Let local chef, David Schmetterling, design an elegant, multi-course meal just for you and your guests! The culinary event is a wild game feast featuring dishes using fish, game, and vegetables, caught, hunted and harvested by the chef. Enjoy an assortment of cured, smoked, cooked, and fermented treats, using a combination of deer, elk, pronghorn, and fish all from Montana. These dishes use many of chef David's own recipes published in the pages of Montana Outdoors magazine.

Your meal is served with some of the finest wines, many aged 10 to 30 years. The wines will be selected with the successful bidder to achieve the best pairing for the menu and the preferences of the diners. Your options include the best wines from Napa such as Opus One, Silver Oak, and others; Champagne; Bordeaux and the Rhone regions of France; the Barolo and Brunello wines from Italy; and Walla Walla including Seven Hills, Reynvaan, Gramercy, and Rasa wineries. A more complete listing of the wines will be available at the banquet.

This exclusive culinary experience is a pleasure for your palate and designed with thoughtful care to provide the very best for you and your guests.

Example menu (details subject to change based on season and your preferences):

Appetizers:

• Venison pastrami with home grown and fermented sauerkraut on crostini
• Smoked goldeye with goat cheese and capers

Soup course:

• Catfish chowder with pronghorn kielbasa

Entrees:

• Elk and pistachio crepinettes wrapped in white-tailed deer caul fat - or
• Venison loin stuffed with garden basil, garlic and cheeses

Dessert:

• Vanilla cheesecake with huckleberry sauce

-Value: Priceless
-This item is subject to a $1,500 reserve
-Up to six guests
-Must be used by October 16, 2027, and not available during big game season (September 15 - November 30), spring turkey, black bear, and catfish seasons (April 15- June 1). Other blackout dates apply.

- Arrangements must be made at least 2 weeks in advance of dinner date and agreed upon by all participating parties.

-Winning bidder can choose to host dinner in their home, or MNHC will work with you to provide other inviting accommodations.

This beautiful painting by artist Jason C. Poole spotlights two of Montana's iconic species: bison and magpie interacting together in the plains of the Big Sky. There's a story here; the colors, movement, and personality of the features offer something new to enjoy with each view of this moment captured on canvas. The painting was done using National Bison Range bison as reference.

Jason C. Poole has worn many hats: Adjunct Professor of Paleontology, scientific illustrator, art teacher, and paleontology field instructor. He has excavated dinosaurs on three continents, including Africa and South and North America. Paralititan, Dreadnoughtus, and Suuwassea are three dinosaurs Jason has worked on; all were new to science when discovered and two are supermassive titanosaurs. Jason is also a paleontological artist who's been published in National Geographic and whose art work appears in many museum and private collections.

Value: $6,000
Artist: Jason C. Poole
Title: 3 Bison
Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
48" x 48"

A year's worth of programs, events, courses, summer camp with an MNHC GOLDEN TICKET!

With your MNHC GOLDEN TICKET you can attend a full year of programs, courses, and events at the Montana Natural History Center! This includes our Master Naturalist Course, valued up to $450; our Field Notes Writing Workshop, valued at $255; art courses, lectures, field days, garden programs, and even a week-long summer camp (valued at $385) for a special nature-loving kiddo in your life! And more!

The Montana Natural History Center is known for our exceptional programming led by experts in the region. Guided field days include such destinations like Lee Metcalf and Freezout Lake. Art courses offer everything from watercolor and felting, to clay creations and bone art! Lectures focus on Montana's unique natural history from Glacial Lake Missoula to our region's legendary storytellers like Chris La Tray and Arnold "Smoke" Elser. And our writing workshop gives participants the chance to have your work broadcast on Montana Public Radio. Plus, your GOLDEN TICKET includes tickets to our major events like our Spring Luncheon and Fall Banquet and Auction!

With your GOLDEN TICKET you have the opportunity to experience the over 70+ programs that MNHC offers each year!

Don't miss your chance on this exclusive opportunity to fill your 2027 with nature connections!

Value: $2,500
-Limited to 1 person*
-Must be used between October 17, 2026-October 17, 2027.
-Subject to availability.
-Limited to one week of MNHC summer camps.

*The winning bidder is welcome to use the GOLDEN TICKET themselves or gift it to another person. However, once assigned, the GOLDEN TICKET cannot be transferred, with the exception of a summer camper.