During the Field Semester, you will live for two months with 10-12 other students in Montana's Swan Valley on the Beck Homestead. The Homestead was originally settled by Finnish immigrants in 1916. It encompasses 80 acres of forest, pasture and Swan River frontage. Beyond the property boundaries lie public lands open for exploration on foot or bicycle. The nearest year-round residence is several miles away.

Student accommodations (PDF) include the historic log dairy barn (now renovated to office space, classroom and bunkhouse), a cookhouse and washhouse. You will be assigned a comfortable room on the second floor with 3-4 other roommates. Rooms are equipped with bunkbeds, lamps, a small nightstand and closet. Space is available to store extra gear while you are here. The main floor combines our classroom and a cozy lounge area. Evening quiet hours help create a calm atmosphere for study and conversation.

A washhouse with showers, sinks and toilets is adjacent to the cookhouse and barn. We have made every attempt to create a climate of resource efficiency and self-sufficiency on the homestead. The toilets are modern composting facilities. If you don't know much about composting toilets before you arrive, you'll not only be well-educated about them by the time the Semester is finished, you'll probably want to go home and convert your own family's house to a composting and graywater system. But we'll leave that discussion for another time... Water is heated with a wood-fired boiler that supplies both the barn with in-floor heat and the wash house with hot water for sinks and showers. Students help cut and stack wood (logged from the Homestead and elsewhere in the Valley) to run the boiler.

We make every attempt to purchase food from local farms, including eggs, vegetables, fruit and meat. Many of our veggies come from our own garden and other family gardens in the Swan and Flathead Valleys. Fruit comes from local orchards in the Flathead Valley. We purchase beef from a local cattle rancher and chickens from the Hutterite colony on the Rocky Mountain Front.

Students eat meals together each day in our cookhouse, which is equipped with a full kitchen and dining area. This building was the original homestead cabin on the property and has been renovated for use now as our cooking facility. Pairs of students are assigned to 3-day meal rotations. During this period they are given a budget and are responsible for grocery shopping and preparing meals. Students consistently remark that this "chore" is one of the high points of the Semester: getting to work with one other person to prepare nutritious, creative food for the group. Occasionally (5-6 times during the semester) dinners will be prepared by outside help when time is at a premium.

We try to accommodate most types of dietary preferences. However, if you have specific, challenging needs, please give us a call as we may not be able to handle every contingency given our remote location. Since students do the grocery shopping and food preparation, likes and dislikes can be taken into account meal by meal. Students with wheat allergies, for example, usually wind up getting a separate type of pasta cooked for them, and we can provide a private stash of wheat-free bread. We highly recommend bringing favorite recipes or cookbooks to spark your creative genius during meal planning.

Pairs of students are assigned chores on a rotating basis. These daily chores include grocery shopping and cooking; kitchen clean-up (organizing recycling, sweeping and taking out the compost); and maintaining a tidy living and working space. (Remember, not only is it your home for 2 months, it is also our main office and your indoor classroom.)

In keeping with our emphasis on "low-tech" solutions to daily living and on self-sufficiency, we have purposefully created a curriculum that does not rely on computers for student learning. Therefore we don't provide computers or internet access for student use, except during the Community Conservation Research Project (CCRP). We do not expect students to bring a personal computer in order to excel in their academic work. All written assignments are recorded long-hand in personal journals. Just as one of our goals during the Semester is to revive practical woodsman and outdoor skills, we also highly encourage students to bring stationery and stamps so they can resurrect the dying art of handwriting personal letters. The local library offers internet access during the semester and students are welcome to visit the library during their free time.

Phone time for student use is limited, in part because we want all Field Semester students to be fully engaged with the group and daily activities and partly because we have only one phone line for Northwest Connections' business. Past students have remarked that they truly appreciated "de-linking" themselves from the ubiquitous technology of phones and computers and settling into the natural rhythm of rural life. This 'escape' from the tech world offers students the chance to build upon their own observational skills, keen senses, and creative minds. That said, students have use of a shared phone in the cookhouse, with limited time available to all. Parents should feel free to call our office at any time during the semester.

In order for students to best experience the rural nature of our program and work towards group cohesion, we strive to keep our use of technology such as computers, blackberries, cell phones etc. to a minimum. We encourage students to rediscover the art of letter writing, to engage in lively conversations, and to become more focused on a place without the technological distractions of modern society. Cell phone coverage during the Semester will likely be unavailable. We do have a student phone line for use with calling cards. Please be aware that instructors carry cellular phones, satellite phones, and/or Spot technology for emergency situations.

With the exception of the final week of the Semester, when students are working on independent research projects, no Semester courses require the use of a computer. Students may find it useful to bring a laptop for this final coursework. However, we ask that computers not become a distraction throughout the Semester.

One of our past students summed it up well: "You get to experience rural, simple life without the distractions of technology. You learn so much in a small amount of time and live in a tight-knit community of your best friends. You build relationships with the town people and your teachers and your friends... we work together, read together, cook together, clean and study together."

In keeping with our emphasis of establishing a close-knit community amongst Field Semester students and staff, we encourage students to make the most of their relationships during the brief time available here. Students are welcome to have visitors once or twice during the Semester but we cannot accommodate overnight stays Guests are expected to take part in camp and cooking chores. Guests will not take part in field activities.

Students are frequently interested in opportunities to get involved in activities, both academic and otherwise, before and after the Semester. Especially since the Semester is finished at the end of October, you may want to stay on in western Montana for other experiences. The following are a few opportunities to look in to:

Aerie School for Backcountry Medicine, which provides the 16-hour Wilderness First Aid training during the Field Skills portion of the Semester, also offers 9-day Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and one-month Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) courses. Both WFR and WEMT courses are offered for Health and Human Performance (HHP) credit through the University of Montana. Contact Aerie at (406) 542-9972 or go to their web site for a complete course schedule.

The University of Montana's Program in Ecological Agriculture and Sustainability(PEAS) offers students an opportunity to work in an organic, community garden while studying environmental issues related to agriculture. PEAS offers 10-week summer internships for credit through the University of Montana.

The Glacier Institute offers year-round courses, many for University of Montana credit, in Glacier National Park.

Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are also frequent stops for students.

The supply list (PDF) provides a detailed description of all the equipment that you need during our backpack trip into the Bob Marshall, as well as what you will need to bring for the rest of your stay at the NwC facility.

Near the beginning of the Semester we will be backpacking in the Swan Mountains and western Bob Marshall Wilderness area. We will establish two main base camps along our route. From these camps we will head off for day hikes and field assignments. Students are expected to actively participate in all aspects of the trip, including route finding, cooking, clean-up, storing food safely at night, filtering water and, of course, all academic work. This can make for long days, but also for a deeply rewarding experience.

Previous backpacking experience is not necessary; however, being in good physical shape will make the trip both safer and more enjoyable for you and your fellow classmates. It is advisable that you spend the months before the Field Semester hiking, breaking in new hiking boots, and engaging in other forms of activity such as jogging, swimming, and/or types of field work that will ensure that you are in condition to embark on an extended backcountry trip with a heavy backpack.

What is our daily schedule like?
Our schedule is an intense one, with classes running all day most days of the Semester. You can expect a day off every two to three weeks. During days off, students are free to do what they like or need, including leaving the Swan Valley, doing laundry, hiking, shopping or sleeping!

We also aim for some down time during class days, when students are free from meal preparation or chores; however, because we chose to make the Semester a short, intensive experience we have packed most days full of activity. It helps to come in to the Semester with an attitude that this will be a rigorous academic experience and you can take a breather in November and December when other students are still in school.

Because of the nature of our program, there isn't exactly a typical daily routine. However, you can expect a rhythm to develop during certain portions of the Semester, as described below.

Orientation
You will spend the first four days of the Semester getting acquainted with your new surroundings, meeting your instructors and learning about your courses, and getting to know each other better. You will begin the first half of your Wilderness First Aid course taught by Aerie Backcountry Medicine, as well as preparing for life in a rural community. Orientation involves learning about safety in bear and mountain lion country, handling wildlife encounters, including when and how to use bear spray. You will learn field journaling techniques you will use in all your courses during the Semester. Finally, you will learn the skills you will need for the backpack trip.

Backpack Trip
During the backpack trip, we will be hiking, journaling, and exploring every day, regardless of the weather. You will be expected to complete readings and engage in group discussions at night (with headlamps, sometimes under the shelter of our "mega-mid.")

"Typical" Academic Day
Back at the Homestead, a typical day starts at 7-7:30 a.m. with breakfast. From 8-10:00 a.m. students might be working on a reading assignment and written response followed by a group discussion or lecture. At 10:00 a.m. we often leave for the field. Field projects may include touring a logging project, hunting for aquatic mammal tracks, conducting a whitebark pine survey, or meeting with a local watershed group.

Field studies usually last until 4 p.m., with lunch eaten in the field. From 5-7:00 p.m. students have free time to relax, go for a run, or–if they are on dinner detail–to put a good meal together for the group. Evenings are usually reserved for homework; occasionally we will attend a public meeting. Students often gather in the common area in the evening to study together or play music.

Community Conservation Research Project
During the final 8 days of the semester you will be busy completing your Community Conservation Research Project, and you'll find that the schedule changes radically. Some students are off working on their own projects, while others may choose to live with a mentor or apprentice for a week and return only to prepare for their oral presentation. Some students do field work during the day and are back at the Homestead in the evenings for dinner. It is what you make it, and we hope that you use this class as an opportunity to expand upon the field skills that you've been learning, and continue fostering relationships with community members.

 

You can expect similar types of assignments as you would in any other university setting. The bulk of assignments revolve around field sketching, written responses to readings and guest speakers, and pop field quizzes. There will be final assessments, as well as group assignments for each course.

In mid-October, students leave the Homestead to spend a three day weekend with local families. Our homestay families are a varied bunch, all of them interested in finding out what college students from around the country are like. An attitude of intellectual curiosity and a willingness to embrace a possibly very different lifestyle set our students apart from the norm and help everyone get the best educational experience out of their homestay.

Download Homestay News (PDF).

The Community Conservation Research Project, which you will come to know as simply "CCRP," is a way for you to expand upon the field skills you''ve acquired throughout the semester and engage in an independent project of your choice. Often times students will spend an afternoon listening to a guest speaker or a day out with instructors and they will learn about a particular issue that resonates with them; CCRP offers the chance to delve into it even more. As part of CCRP you will chose a topic that uses both your field skills, research skills, and the connections you've made with the local community. A mentor from the community will assist you with your project, and this can mean anything from shadowing a wildlife biologist to conducting oral histories. The possibilities are endless and we encourage you to begin thinking about your CCRP project from the moment you arrive.

Examples of past CCRP projects have included the following:

• Whitebark Pine population - analysis and monitoring in the Bob Marshall Wilderness
• Community Forests, Internationally, Nationally and Locally. Land stewardship and land ethics among long-time Swan Valley residents as told through oral histories
• Organic Gardening in Cold Climates - a focus on oral histories
• The culture of hunting and road use - a study of road closure effectiveness during hunting season in the Swan Valley
• Preparing local plants for medicinal use - a study of tinctures, oil infusions and balms
• The economics of small-scale logging operations
• The ecology and management of private, man-made ponds in the Swan Valley
• Ecology and management of Bull Trout
• Ecosystem Management at Coyote Forest
• Building rustic furniture with local materials - sustainable harvest and local economics
• Skinning and tanning techniques for small mammals - a look at the skill of trapping and the economic fluctuation over time
• Raptor rehabilitation
• Log home building

Northwest Connections students have come from all over the country. View a map of the schools represented amongst our alumni.

Students also come to our courses from a variety of academic backgrounds. A few of the more common majors of our students include the following:

Communications
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
Forestry
Recreation Management
Resource Conservation
Rural Sociology
Wildlife Biology/Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife Science/Fisheries Science

It is optional to receive 15 University of Montana semester credits for Landscape and Livelihood. Anyone is welcome to register for the class, regardless of whether or not they are seeking academic credit.

No.

All of our courses are accredited through the University of Montana (UM). Students can request an official transcript from the University of Montana Registrar's office upon the completion of the semester, and once all grades are submitted. To obtain an official transcript students can contact the UM registrar's office at (406) 243-2995.

This depends on your home university. Please read our financial information for more details.

Students can make deposit and tuition payments to Northwest Connections via personal check, money order or credit card.

See our Financial Information page for tuition payments, deadlines and cancellations

Note to international students:
deposit and tuition payments are to be made in U.S. funds.

While many of our students do enter L&L with backgrounds in environmental studies and resource conservation, we do not require that your degree be in the conservation field. Background knowledge and experience in conservation is certainly an asset however, and will help you in your courses.

Landscape and Livelihood is a purely place-based program and we focus on our local knowledge of the Swan Valley and how that relates to the rest of the conservation world. Students learn experientially as they study the landscape of the Swan Valley and the human community it supports. NwC's instructional philosophy emphasizes participation in conservation projects as a means of developing field skills, and we regularly involve students in current scientific monitoring projects. Our instructors work and, for the most part, live in the Swan Valley year-round. We encourage students to take the skills that they acquire in place-based conservation in the Swan Valley and apply that same mindset to their own communities.

Landscape and Livelihood has been running each Fall Semester since 2001.

Each year we accept between 10 and 12 qualified and passionate students. We feel strongly that learning happens best in small, focused groups and we keep our student to staff ratio at 4:1.

Landscape and Livelihood alumni are currently working in many different careers including wildlife biology, hydrology, fire management, education and outdoor leadership. Many have also gone on to graduate studies in related fields such as environmental studies, sociology, international studies, and conservation biology.

Student safety is our highest priority (see the next topic, Safety and Risk Management).

Student safety is the number one priority during all Northwest Connections programs.  All field instructors are Wilderness First Responder certified through Aerie Backcountry Medicine. We have a medical director who oversees all of our training and risk management policies. Field staff is highly experienced with backcountry and critical decision-making skills. We strive to maintain a staff-to-student ratio of 1:4 in order to ensure a student's safety and personal attention during class.

Due to the remote location of Northwest Connections' facility as well as the considerable time we spend in the field, students are provided an opportunity to take a Wilderness First Aid course the first few days of L&L. Students gain backcountry travel and safety as well as decision-making skills during all of our education programs. 

Students are expected to act responsibly and maintain personal and group safety at ALL times during their Northwest Connections experience. If we feel that a student jeopardizes the safety or health of the group, the student will be sent home at his or her own expense. We reserve the right to deny any student the right to go on the backcountry portion of our courses for safety reasons.

Because we are out in the field most days and our daily schedule is both rigorous and variable, we can not allow pets at the NwC facility.

Mailing address:

Northwest Connections, P.O. Box 1309, Swan Valley, MT 59826

Physical address (for Fed Ex and UPS):

Northwest Connections, 1200 Ed Road, Swan Valley, MT 59826