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Carter County Geological Society Meetings

Programs & Events

CCGS Meetings & Lecture Series 

Free Admission

Join us on the first Thursday of every month from September through June for Carter County Geological Society meetings! All meetings are free and open to the public and begin at 7 p.m. Light snacks and refreshments are provided. Each month features a different topic related to the subjects of paleontology, geology, archaeology, or art in the area. All CCGS programs are eligible for professional development credits for the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Executive Board Meetings of the CCGS meet at 5:30 p.m. before each meeting unless otherwise noted. We do not hold CCGS meetings in July and August. 

The Carter County Geological Society Presents “Carter County Next Year Country” on Thursday, September 4 at 7 p.m. Produced by Ken Howie Studios, this documentary explores the rich history of Carter County, Montana and the Carter County Conservation District — from the early homesteaders and ranching traditions to the enduring relationship between the people and the land. Through firsthand accounts, historical archives, and sweeping prairie landscapes, the film highlights the county’s agricultural heritage, conservation efforts, and the spirit of resilience that continues to define the community today. It traces the evolution of agriculture through the decades, highlighting how changes in technology, practices and conservation efforts have shaped the land and the community that depends on it. Jalyn Klauzer, Carter County Conservation District Manager, will introduce the film and share about why they chose this project and a few tales from the making of the documentary. There will be time for a Q&A after the film. Note: Montana teachers may earn up to 1 hour of continuing education/professional development credits for attending this free event.
The Carter County Geological Society Presents “Dinosaur Dreams” with author B. J. Hollars at Carter County Museum on Thursday, October 2 at 7 p.m. Join us at the Carter County Museum for a special evening with author B.J. Hollars, who will present from his new book, Dinosaur Dreams: A Father and Daughter in Search of America’s Prehistoric Past. This heartfelt and humorous travelogue follows Hollars and his young daughter Ellie as they journey across Montana in search of fossils, friendship, and the magic of dinosaurs. As PBS’s Prehistoric Road Trip host Emily Graslie writes, “Dinosaur Dreams invites us to be the welcomed third passenger…The concepts, people, and sites we’re introduced to—not to mention some incredibly cool dinosaurs!—will deepen anyone’s appreciation for paleontology.” Don’t miss this unforgettable adventure through time, science, and family.
The Carter County Geological Society Presents “A Night at the Museum” with author Ashley Hall at Carter County Museum on Thursday, November 6 at 5:30 p.m. Join author, educator, and science communicator Ashley Hall for a tour of fossil legend Mary Anning’s hometown of Lyme Regis! Book signing of Prehistoric Worlds to follow. Co-hosted with Ekalaka Public Schools Note: Montana teachers can earn 1 hour of continuing education credits for attending this free program.
The Carter County Geological Society Presents “A Ralston Christmas” with Lauren Hunley at Carter County Museum on Thursday, December 4 at 7 p.m. Known for historically accurate, Western art portrayals, JK Ralston has a grand collection of paintings. Enjoy his story and holiday-themed images in this holiday program. Please note: This is a hybrid event -- participants may choose to attend in-person at the museum or register online via Zoom at this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/mLWxIWwYRcOawpE7Z29iig Montana Teachers can receive one hour of continuing education/professional development credits for attending this free program.
The Carter County Geological Society presents "Native Plants of the Sioux Ranger District" with Kurt Hansen on Thursday, January 8, at 7 p.m. Featured speaker and United States Forest Service District Ranger Kurt Hansen will talk to us about the history and botany of the Sioux Ranger District, including the many rare plants that can be found in Carter County and nowhere else in Montana! Note: This program will begin with a short business meeting at 7 p.m. before the presentation. Montana Teachers can receive up to 1 hour continuing education/professional development credits for attending this free program.
The Carter County Geological Society presents "Fossil February" with Dr. Nathan Carroll on Thursday, February 5, at 7 p.m. Join us for a spotlight of current fossils that are undergoing prep or newly on display at Carter County Museum! This year's spotlight includes dinosaur finds from Carter County with links to modern birds, such as Magnusavis ekalakensis, Avisaurus darwini, and Troodontids. Note: We will begin the evening with a short business meeting at 7 p.m., followed by the program. Montana Teachers can receive up to 1 hour continuing education/professional development credits for attending this free program.
The Carter County Geological Society presents "Fifty-six counties" with Russel Rowland on Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m. Russell Rowland has published five novels, three of which are based in Carter County, as well as the non-fiction book Fifty-Six Counties: A Montana Journey, which is his account of his travels to every county in Montana. He has spent the last several years hosting an interview program on NPR, also called Fifty-Six Counties, where he interviews Montanans about how this state has shaped them, and what they are doing to shape Montana. Rowland’s mother, Lorene, grew up in Carter County, on the Arbuckle Ranch. He will be talking about his books and his writing at the Carter County Museum, on Thursday, March 5th, at 7:00 pm. Note: Montana Teachers can receive up to 1 hour continuing education/professional development credits for attending this free program.
The Carter County Geological Society Presents “Through the Lens: The Life & Legacy of Richard Throssel” with Lauren Hunley at Carter County Museum on Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. For nearly 2 decades, Throssel’s photographs captured the strength and spirit of native people in Southeastern Montana. His relationship with the Apsaalooke inspired a level of trust and agency to tell their stories through the photographic lens. His experiences motivated him through 2 terms as a Montana State Legislator, and his position as an accepted insider helped create one of the most authentic and organic collections of early 20th century photographs of the Native people of Southeastern Montana. View his amazing work in this original program. Please note: This is a hybrid program -- participants may choose to attend in person at the museum or register via zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/T8Eqa3CIRbmq-z2Br6tAcQ . Montana Teachers can receive one hour of continuing education/professional development credits for attending this free program.
The Carter County Geological Society Presents “Ijkalaka Russell & Lulu Harmon” with Dr. Sabre Moore at Carter County Museum on Thursday, May 7 at 7 p.m. In the late 1800s, two Indigenous women settled in what would become Carter County, Montana with their white husbands.One is Lulu Harmon, whose mother was a mediator and cultural transmitter between the Lakota people and the U. S. government during the treaty era. The other is Ijkalaka Russell, a Lakota woman for whom the town of Ekalaka is named, and, along with her husband David, the first to file a homestead claim in the area. The two women were close friends and conversed often in their shared Lakota language. Their stories, provide a local connection to wider discussions of the resilience of Indigenous peoples during this time of great social, economic, and environmental change. Note: We will begin with a short business meeting at 7 p.m. followed by the program. Montana teachers can earn 1 hour of continuing education credits for attending this free event.
2025-26 Carter County Geological Society

Lecture Series 

Meet our Speakers:

Jalyn Klauzer, Carter County Conservation District Manager

The Carter County Conservation District is one of 58 conservation districts in the state of Montana. The District is tasked with working with landowners, operators, and other partners such as NRCS, MSU Extension, DEQ, DNRC, and Carter County to identify local concerns and establish priorities to protect land and water resources on public and private land in the county.

B. J. Hollars

B.J. Hollars is the author of several books, the recipient of numerous literary awards, the founder and executive director of the Chippewa Valley Writers Guild and the Midwest Artist Academy, as well as a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and a columnist for The Leader-Telegram. His most recent novel is Dinosaur Dreams, a travelougue about his trip along the Montana Dinosaur Trail with his daughter, Ellie.

ashley Hall 

Ashley Hall Ashley Hall is the Outreach Coordinator at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. Originally from South Bend Indiana, Ashley relocated to Ohio where she worked as a naturalist for the Cleveland Metroparks reservation system before taking a position with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History as the adult programs coordinator. Passionate for educating the public about natural history, Ashley has designed and implemented thousands of museum tours, programs, and classes for visitors of all ages.

LAUREN HUNLEY

Lauren E. Hunley has spent nearly 20 years in the museum field. Earning her Master of Arts in Learning & Visitor Services in Museums and Galleries through Leicester University in England, she’s worked for both small museums and national museum service organizations. She is the author of 101 Museum Programs on a Shoestring Budget and has presented at numerous museum conferences. She is currently the Community Historian at the Western Heritage Center in Billings, Montana, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Mountain-Plains Museums Association.

Kurt Hansen

Kurt Hansen is the District Ranger responsible for oversight of all activities on the Sioux Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest. He has written several articles on native plants in Montana and South Dakota. 

DR. NATHAN CARROLL

Dr. Nathan Carroll is the Carter County Museum's Curator of Paleontology and a founder of the Annual Dino Shindig event. Nathan received a B.S. in Earth Sciences from Montana State University, where he studied pterosaurs. His doctoral thesis at the Earth Science Department at the University of Southern California focused on flight-feather evolution studying three-dimensional amber, coprolites, and lithic fossils. In addition to his curatorial duties, Nathan manages the museum’s paleontology lab and active field program.

Russell Rowland

Fourth-generation Montanan Russell Rowland is a critically-acclaimed author of six books, a teacher, and a radio and podcast host. From the written to the spoken word, he is a true voice of the Big Sky Country. 

dr. Sabre Moore 

Dr. Sabre Moore is the Executive Director of the Carter County Museum in Ekalaka, Montana. She received her Ph.D. in American Studies with a focus in Public History from Montana State University in 2023, her M.A. in Museum Studies & Nonprofit Management from Johns Hopkins University in 2016, and a B.A. in History from Montana State University in 2013. Her research focuses on museums and rural community vitality, and how power is exercised in practices of place.