January 10 - 19, 2008
Cost: $750 includes meals & lodging
3 University of Montana credits - Environmental Studies 395

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Course Description
Winter Field Studies is taught entirely in the Swan Valley, which is approximately 80 miles NE of Missoula, Montana nestled between the Mission Mountain and Bob Marshall Wilderness Areas.  Rustic lodging in a bunkhouse on a private homestead will allow us to work in the field during the day, then study and meet with guest speakers at night.

Our field studies begin by focusing on the natural history of the area.  Among other things, you’ll practice winter tree and shrub identification and learn how to snow track ungulates, small mammals, and large carnivores.   We also explore environmental issues in the Swan Valley as they affect public land management agencies, corporations, and small private landowners.  We’ll pay particular attention to the interface between state and national environmental policies and small rural communities such as those in the Seeley and Swan Valleys.

Northwest Connections (NwC) conducts a number of long-term ecological monitoring efforts in the Swan Valley and surrounding ecosystems.  As a student in Winter Field Studies you will be assisting us with one such effort, which involves snow tracking rare forest carnivores.  In order to accomplish one of NwC’s snow track surveys for lynx, fisher, wolverine and pine marten, we will spend  three days and two nights snow camping in the Mission Mountains.  This will provide a good opportunity to learn more about winter camping as well as wildlife ecology and conservation biology as they relate to these four species.  Plan on learning in a small, dynamic group of motivated students while working with naturalists, agency biologists, and local guides.

Instructors
Melanie Parker, Tom Parker, Steve Lamar, Mo Hartmann, Adam Lieberg