Northwest Montana Wetland Management District

10/01/2025

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated.
For more information, please visit:

Operations in the Absence of Appropriations

02/26/2024

Another view of the Horsehead Nebula.
Photo/ Dave F Vol USFWS

02/24/2024

A Ninepipe NWR view of the Horsehead and Flame Nubulas that are located by Orion's Belt. On a clear night, you can see forever.
Photo/ Dave F Vol USFWS
Equipment/Dwarf2 Smart Telescope

02/23/2024

Moon over Ninepipe NWR Feb 22, 98% full.
Photo/Dave F Vol USFWS

10/29/2023

Oct 28th, Hunters moon with Jupiter close by. Looking over Ninepipe NWR.Remember to always look up and enjoy the night sky.
photos/ Dave F Vol USFWS

08/09/2023

Dark Sky event reschedule time

First Dark Sky Sanctuary Party at LTNWR is still scheduled for Saturday night (August 12th). It could still be cancelled due to weather/smoke so will send a notice to everyone if that happens. It is a public program connected with the Kalispell Astronomy Club.

The Astronomy Club from Kalispell will be bringing the telescopes and their expertise and we are just providing the dark skies. Mark Paulson will be the lead person. He has posted the info on several sites in Kalispell so we should get some people to come out and view the stars!

I will be meeting with the Club President (Mark) at 8pm at the office. We will then go down to the west end parking lot which is our designated Dark Sky Viewing area. I just did a little w**d cutting in the parking lot (by hand) so it should be a little safer with parking vehicles.

Fingers crossed that we have some clear skies and stars!

Aug 1st full moon photo
Dave F vol USFWS

07/17/2023

Update on the Dark Sky event. It's now scheduled for Aug 12, 2023.

Star Trails near Ninepipe NWR, July 16th

07/12/2023

Photo by John Ashley Fine Art

07/12/2023

Lost Trail NWR is a Dark Sky Sanctuary as of last year. This will be our first public "party". The astronomy club will be bringing scopes for the public to use so there is no need to have to have your own equipment. No camping on the Refuge so people can not stay overnight. There is camping available off the Refuge.
More information to follow with times, local camping opportunities etc.
Here is the link to the Astronomy Club. http://www.bigskyastroclub.org/events.html

photo/Dave Fitzpatrick Vol USFWS
Full moon July 3rd, 2023

01/04/2023

The extreme cold is gone and daytime temperatures are just below freezing. Making this a great time to visit your local Wildlife refuges. Ninepipe NWR is frozen and looking into the Mission Mountains shows snow levels and avalanche chutes in the steep terrain above Lake McDonald.
Always be prepared with winter survival equipment in your vehicle.
photos/Dave F USFWS Volunteer

12/22/2022

Dec 22, 2002 Looking toward the Mission Mountains and Ninepipe NWR Temperature of -25F or -32C. Just as a reminder -40F = -40C. This mornings temperature was below -30F.
Stay safe and warm during this deep freeze.
photo/Dave F FWS Volunteer

12/22/2022

Christmas bird count around Ninepipe. Lots of Mallards and some partridge. Dec 18th 2022
photos/ Dave F FWS Vol