Landscape and Livelihood Field Semester is a rigorous academic program. A typical academic day consists of a morning lecture followed by a field assignment that builds upon the morning’s lesson. Evenings are reserved for reading, written work, journaling and listening to speakers.

Please contact us if you would like to receive complete syllabi for these courses.

1. Biogeography of Northwestern Montana, Geography 395        
3 credits, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geography

This course gives students an overview of the forces that drive biodiversity in northwestern Montana. In two short months, students will learn more about the local flora, fauna, geography, and geology of the Swan Valley than they probably know about their native environments. In addition to studying the natural history, students will also explore human relationships with the landscape by reading oral histories and discussing environmental change with long-time residents. Students will learn to use a field journal as an important tool for recording observations made in the field as they are led on a variety of hikes and field trips by seasoned naturalist and local experts.  By the end of the semester, students will be able to recognize and understand patterns across the landscape produced by combinations of geological forces, climate, fire, forestry, agriculture and human settlement.

2. Watershed Dynamics, Forestry 395
3 credits, College of Forestry and Conservation

Plenty of people talk about the need to conserve and restore watersheds, but how many know how they really work? Students should be prepared to spend two weeks in a pair of waders, learning to appreciate and understand how water moves  from mountain crest to valley-bottom wetlands. Students will investigate watershed function, stream hydrology and morphology, the ecology of aquatic habitats, and the impacts that road building and watershed fragmentation have on these processes.  In addition, students will help conduct stream and wetland surveys as part of Northwest Connection’s ongoing monitoring efforts in the valley. Finally, students will get out in the field to see first hand how local communities are actively protecting their watersheds and study examples of restoration in action.

3. Forests and Rural Communities, Environmental Studies 395
3 credits, College of Arts and Sciences, Environmental Studies Department

In this non-traditional forestry course, students will explore the complex relationship between forest ecosystems and human communities. Students will investigate the ecology of local forests and trace the production of timber products from start to finish. They will also study local, state, and national policies, understanding the role that these policies play in local forest management. Students will build their understanding of forest ecology, policies, and management and the subsequent impacts to rural communities by visiting several local logging and forest restoration projects. These field trips will be led by resource professionals, logging contractors, and mill owners working in the valley. As part of the field component of this course, students conduct forest inventory assessments to assist in ongoing conservation work. Students will also participate in a two day homestay with a local family, providing an opportunity to discuss the scientific and social aspects of sustainable forestry with people of diverse backgrounds.

4. Independent Study, Environmental Studies 496
3 credits, College of Arts and Sciences, Environmental Studies Department

During this course, students will apprentice with a local specialist in order to develop their own expertise and skill in a subject of interest to them. Students will be required to conduct extensive research necessary to round out their knowledge in their chosen subject.  Past students have apprenticed with loggers, oral historians, wildlife biologists, herbalists, wildlife rehabilitators, artists, trappers and private foresters. To culminate the semester, students present their research findings and overall experiences to staff, fellow students, and Swan Valley residents.

5. Field Skills for Conservation Work, Recreation Management 395
3 credits, College of Forestry and Conservation

The purpose of Field Skills for Conservation Work is to develop students’ basic competencies needed for field work in remote settings.  Students will become proficient in several major skill areas including: wilderness first aid; navigation using map, compass and GPS; collecting and recording scientific field data; minimum impact camping and travel; backcountry preparedness; natural history field journal techniques; and basic woodsman skills. Each of these skills will be put to use as the field semester progresses, from the first nine days of the semester (a backpacking trip in the Swan Mountains) to each of the subsequent courses. In addition, students will be introduced to horse packing and stock safety, proper backcountry etiquette, living and traveling responsibly and respectfully in bear country, and the art of value-added rustic furniture building using small diameter local wood. By the end of the semester, students should feel confident in this set of skills and be able to demonstrate their understanding in a final field skills practicum. This course will expand students’ technical outdoor field skills and may enhance career and educational options.