Yellowstone Experience Field Course

Yellowstone! 10,000 thermal features, some of the wildest country in the nation, home to bison, elk, wolves, and virtually every other wildland critter to be found in the mountain west is the setting for our classroom and field exploration for this four day journey of discovery.

Our camp, a grouping of Yellowstone Institute cabins, sits on a bench well above the Yellowstone River and Gardiner overlooking the park’s Gallatin Range. Field time will be spent in the Lamar Valley, amongst the high summits of the Beartooth Range in Yellowstone’s northeast corner, the Blacktail Plateau, and the thermals near Mammoth.

With University of Montana professor Rick Graetz and scientists from the Yellowstone Institute, participants will:

• search for Yellowstone’s northern wolf packs with wolf expert Jim Halfpenny
• learn of changing wildlife migration and habitat based on an altering climate
• examine the various thermal features
• learn of the fascinating past of Yellowstone, the nation’s first national park
• study the components of this ecosystem and learn how they all work together
• meet with YNP managers to learn of how the park is managed

Planned Class Schedule February 15-18, 2013

This course convenes in Yellowstone Park on the morning of Friday, February 15.  Our first day will serve as an introduction to this, the nation’s first national park.  If time allows, we will meet a local rancher to discuss the issue of ranching among grizzly bears, wolves, bison and escalating land prices.

Saturday will be spent snowshoeing in the Lamar Valley.

Sunday will be spent in the northeastern part of the park.

Generally, class will be held in the mornings and afternoons will be spent in the field, although weather and wolf sightings will dictate the order of things to take the best advantage of this experience.

What will you derive from this journey?

As you leave camp and descend the gradient of the Yellowstone River heading north, you will take with you solid knowledge of how Yellowstone works, especially in winter, and its relationship to the other elements of the wider ecosystem it is part of. You will be provided with a course pack, and that, along with any notes you pen and photos you take, will serve as your “external hard drive” backup for your memories!

Registration

The program takes place February 15-18, 2013.  A minimum of eight participants is required. Cost TBD.  The price includes all instruction, meals, and lodging during the program. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the Yellowstone Institute cabins. Participants need to bring snowshoes. 

This personal enrichment course is not offered for university credit.  Therefore, formal admission to The University of Montana is not required, and residents and nonresidents pay the same fee.

Registration is not yet open. For any questions or to reserve a spot, please contact Rick Graetz at rick.graetz@umontana.edu or 406.439.9277.