On Thursday, January 8, the National Elk Refuge will offer a Birding for Beginners program at 9:30 am. The program will include a 20 minute presentation at the visitor center on birding basics and a field session on the refuge to practice identification skills. Participants should be appropriately dressed for the outdoor outing, which will last up to 1.5 hours. Naturalists will have binoculars and field guides to share, but guests are encouraged to bring their own supplies if available. Reservations are recommended. The class, offered free of charge, is limited to 16 participants. The class will be offered again on Saturday, January 31.