Montana
Ecosystem Restoration & Climate Resilience
Engage in conservation projects and discover how to build sustainable communities and ecosystems in support of a more resilient future. In this hands-on, college-credit course with the University of Montana Western, explore the geology, flora, and fauna of southwest Montana. Meet with Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) tribal members to learn about the tribe’s history and cultural connections to the land. Learn how scientists study past climates to help us understand future scenarios, and witness how community design can improve public health and well-being to inspire your college and career paths.
This program is offered in collaboration with the University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana. Students will receive 3 college credits in Environmental Sustainability. The course will be a mix of classroom (~25%) and field experience (~75%).
- Highlights
• Search for wildlife floating down the scenic Big Hole River
• Explore how the built-environment shapes health and well-being
• Soak in natural hot springs at a historic lodge in Jackson, Montana
Engage in conservation projects and discover how to build sustainable communities and ecosystems in support of a more resilient future. In this hands-on, college-credit course with the University of Montana Western, explore the geology, flora, and fauna of southwest Montana. Meet with Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) tribal members to learn about the tribe’s history and cultural connections to the land. Learn how scientists study past climates to help us understand future scenarios, and witness how community design can improve public health and well-being to inspire your college and career paths.
This program is offered in collaboration with the University of Montana Western in Dillon, Montana. Students will receive 3 college credits in Environmental Sustainability. The course will be a mix of classroom (~25%) and field experience (~75%).
- Highlights
• Search for wildlife floating down the scenic Big Hole River
• Explore how the built-environment shapes health and well-being
• Soak in natural hot springs at a historic lodge in Jackson, Montana
Expert
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in Bozeman, Montana, and travel together to your program base in Dillon, Montana. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Using the University of Montana Western campus as your base, develop a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities of climate change and sustainability. Explore how water resources, ecology, geology, and humans interact in a dynamic landscape. Meet with the Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) tribal members to learn about the tribe’s history and cultural connections to this region, and how traditional ecological knowledge can be a guide moving forward. Learn to identify native plants and local wildlife within the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Piece together the clues that tell the geologic history of this land. Develop a scientific understanding of climate change and how people and communities are building more sustainable futures. Join experts in the field examining lake cores and tree rings to learn how scientists study past climates. Rethink how we design and build communities that promote ecological and public health.
Put your knowledge to work through hands-on field-based projects that build climate resilience. Work alongside restoration specialists to learn about ecosystem services, and how to restore streams and meadows using low-tech and nature-inspired designs. Meet with local ranchers implementing sustainable ranching practices. Visit a solar farm to learn about renewable energy transitions, create functional art, and see how art and science can be woven together to support sustainable housing. Learn how community planning, design, and policy impact individual, community, and environmental health. Finally, synthesize new knowledge and understanding to design resilient communities as part of your independent project.
Enjoy a cabin getaway in the remote Pioneer Mountains. Stay with your group in one of the most well-preserved Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps from the 1930s. From here, hike through the surrounding forests, dip in the beautiful alpine lakes that are punctuated by rocky cliffs, and try fishing for native cutthroat trout. At night, observe the stars and tell stories around the crackling fire. The group may also take day excursions to Lewis and Clark Caverns, Jackson Hot Springs, or Bannack State Park and Ghost Town during the program.
Head to Bozeman’s Yellowstone International Airport for independent flights home, or arrange for parent pick-up from University of Montana Western. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in Bozeman, Montana, and travel together to your program base in Dillon, Montana. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Using the University of Montana Western campus as your base, develop a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities of climate change and sustainability. Explore how water resources, ecology, geology, and humans interact in a dynamic landscape. Meet with the Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) tribal members to learn about the tribe’s history and cultural connections to this region, and how traditional ecological knowledge can be a guide moving forward. Learn to identify native plants and local wildlife within the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Piece together the clues that tell the geologic history of this land. Develop a scientific understanding of climate change and how people and communities are building more sustainable futures. Join experts in the field examining lake cores and tree rings to learn how scientists study past climates. Rethink how we design and build communities that promote ecological and public health.
Put your knowledge to work through hands-on field-based projects that build climate resilience. Work alongside restoration specialists to learn about ecosystem services, and how to restore streams and meadows using low-tech and nature-inspired designs. Meet with local ranchers implementing sustainable ranching practices. Visit a solar farm to learn about renewable energy transitions, create functional art, and see how art and science can be woven together to support sustainable housing. Learn how community planning, design, and policy impact individual, community, and environmental health. Finally, synthesize new knowledge and understanding to design resilient communities as part of your independent project.
Enjoy a cabin getaway in the remote Pioneer Mountains. Stay with your group in one of the most well-preserved Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps from the 1930s. From here, hike through the surrounding forests, dip in the beautiful alpine lakes that are punctuated by rocky cliffs, and try fishing for native cutthroat trout. At night, observe the stars and tell stories around the crackling fire. The group may also take day excursions to Lewis and Clark Caverns, Jackson Hot Springs, or Bannack State Park and Ghost Town during the program.
Head to Bozeman’s Yellowstone International Airport for independent flights home, or arrange for parent pick-up from University of Montana Western. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
During the program, you will have opportunities to engage with the following subject areas.
The Land & Traditional Ecological Knowledge • Meet with Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) tribal member(s) to learn the tribe’s history and cultural connections to the land.
Global Change • Learn the science of climate change and how climate and land use changes are shaping land, water, and ecosystems in Southwest Montana.
Building Resilience Through the Natural & Built Environment • Engage with issues of land and water stewardship, renewable energy, sustainable building techniques, and health and wellness.
Renewable Energy, Sustainable Building, and Public Health • Explore the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy and sustainable building design.
Place-Based Education • Connect local-level projects to national-scale discourses relating to field-based approaches with energy, water, land, wildlife, public health, the built environment, and traditional ecological knowledge.
Called the “Building Resilience in the Face of Global Change Project,” each student develops a sustainability portfolio based on field notes, discussions, and course content, presenting it to the group at the end. Students are then able to pursue the Program Theme of their choice to explore in more depth with the guidance of University of Montana Western instructors.
This is a physically active summer program. The group participates in a range of physical activities, including hiking and river restoration projects such as willow planting or constructing beaver dam analog structures. Most days are spent outside, with extensive time spent in field workshops, ecosystem restoration, and other activities. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about participating in all activities.
This program visits high altitude destinations. There may be some excursions up to 11,000 feet/3,353 meters, but these will be brief and occasional. Dillon, Montana is at approximately 5,000 ft/1,524 meters.
Students experience dorm life at the University of Montana Western, with two students per room. Common and dorm lounge areas include a variety of games for group bonding. Leaders reside in the same dorm as students throughout the program.
We take most meals at the University of Montana Western’s dining hall. On field days, we pack picnic lunches and occasionally we eat out at restaurants in and around Dillon.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
During the program, you will have opportunities to engage with the following subject areas.
The Land & Traditional Ecological Knowledge • Meet with Nimi’ipuu (Nez Perce) tribal member(s) to learn the tribe’s history and cultural connections to the land.
Global Change • Learn the science of climate change and how climate and land use changes are shaping land, water, and ecosystems in Southwest Montana.
Building Resilience Through the Natural & Built Environment • Engage with issues of land and water stewardship, renewable energy, sustainable building techniques, and health and wellness.
Renewable Energy, Sustainable Building, and Public Health • Explore the challenges and opportunities of renewable energy and sustainable building design.
Place-Based Education • Connect local-level projects to national-scale discourses relating to field-based approaches with energy, water, land, wildlife, public health, the built environment, and traditional ecological knowledge.
Called the “Building Resilience in the Face of Global Change Project,” each student develops a sustainability portfolio based on field notes, discussions, and course content, presenting it to the group at the end. Students are then able to pursue the Program Theme of their choice to explore in more depth with the guidance of University of Montana Western instructors.
This is a physically active summer program. The group participates in a range of physical activities, including hiking and river restoration projects such as willow planting or constructing beaver dam analog structures. Most days are spent outside, with extensive time spent in field workshops, ecosystem restoration, and other activities. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about participating in all activities.
This program visits high altitude destinations. There may be some excursions up to 11,000 feet/3,353 meters, but these will be brief and occasional. Dillon, Montana is at approximately 5,000 ft/1,524 meters.
Students experience dorm life at the University of Montana Western, with two students per room. Common and dorm lounge areas include a variety of games for group bonding. Leaders reside in the same dorm as students throughout the program.
We take most meals at the University of Montana Western’s dining hall. On field days, we pack picnic lunches and occasionally we eat out at restaurants in and around Dillon.
A Day in the Life: University of Montana Western
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
A Day in the Life:
University of Montana Western
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
This Program is Directed by
Micah Sewell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
This Program is Directed by
Micah Sewell
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!