Ninemile Ranger Station Conservation Education Program

"Caring for the Land and Serving People," is the USDA Forest Service Mission Statement.

Below is what the Ninemile Ranger District Conservation and Education Program offers every year to nearly 2,000 students in the Missoula area. Due to growth of the program and rehire cuts I am in need of volunteers to help with the mini lessons. All lesson are created and materials present, volunteers are needed to present the short 15 minutes stations. I would like to take this opportunity to cordially invite you to tour the Historic Ninemile Ranger Station. Take a historical journey to the days of early firefighting in rugged wilderness of the mountains west. From 1930 until 1953, the Ninemile Remount Depot provided experienced packers and pack animals for fighting fires and for backcountry work projects throughout the vast roadless areas of the Northern Rockies. Modeled after U.S. Army Cavalry Remount Depots which supplied fresh horses to troops, the Ninemile Remount Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its unique role as a Forest Service Remount Depot and for its distinct Cape Cod style architecture. Approximately 85 years after its creation by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), The Forest Service Remount Depot still functions as an integral part of the Forest Service mission of “Caring for the Land, Serving the People.” We offer field trip opportunities for students in the greater Missoula area, reserve your field trip May 1st – June 5th. All field trips include: • Walking tour focused on CCC and Ninemile Remount Depot history: 30 minutes • Fire engine demonstration (If the fire crew is not out fighting fire): 30 minutes • Nature Walk at Grand Menard Picnic area (1 mile north of the station): 30 minutes Then there are additional activities specifically designed for each grade level at Grand Menard Picnic area. • Kindergarten: Bear Aware Food Storage, Keep a Clean Camp, Put the Fire Out • First Grade: Bear Identification, Tracker, What’s on the Carnivore Menu • Second Grade: Tracker version 2, Predator/Prey • Third Grade: Bear Identification/Food Storage/Best Practices in Bear Country • Fourth Grade: Tree Identification • Fifth/Sixth: GPS Course • Seventh/Eighth: GPS Course version 2 It’s important to mention that all of our activities are free to the public! If you have questions or are interested in scheduling a trip, please contact me at the information provided below to set up a time. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to seeing you at Ninemile! Anna Henderson Ninemile Ranger District Lolo National Forest (406)626-5406 anna.m.henderson@usda.gov Directions: I-90 West from Missoula, past Frenchtown to Exit 82, Ninemile Road. Turn north, go approximately 2 miles, turn North on Remount Road and go 2 more miles. Depot is located approximately 0.5 mile beyond end of paved Road