The Wilderness Institute

Immerse Yourself in the Study of
Wildland Conservation

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Combine interdisciplinary coursework,
field learning, small classes, and
community engagement to earn a
Minor in Wilderness Studies in
just over one semester.
"Wilderness and Civilization has done more to equip me for “real world” conservation than any regular class could have. I have learned more about myself, my community, and the land around me in one year than I had previously in my lifetime.”
~former student

Wilderness and Civilization is an inspiring and demanding campus- and field-based academic program. Each year, a small group of students from around the country explore the human-nature relationship and wilderness issues in this semester-plus program. Coursework is interdisciplinary, and the program combines the strengths of classroom and field learning, small class size, dedicated faculty, and internship experience. more>>

2013-2014 Wilderness and Civilization Program is accepting applications!! Click here to apply for this once in a lifetime experience!

Aerie Backcountry Medicine:
In 2013, Aerie is expanding its highly-regarded Semester in Wilderness Medicine, offering a new Summer Semester in addition to their Spring Program! more>>

Based in Missoula, Montana, Aerie provides wilderness and rural medical training and first aid supplies to over 2,500 students a year throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, Africa and India.  Wilderness EMT and First Responder Courses: see 2012-2013 schedule

Calling All Shutter bugs!

Wilderness50, in partnership with Nature's Best Photography and the Smithsonian Institution, annouces the opening of this summer's "Wilderness Forever" public photography contest. Winning images will be part of a 2014 exhibition in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. that will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.

For more information
visit the Wilderness50 website.

NEW Summer Field Courses for 2013!

Forest Ecology of the Sierra Nevada
FORS391, June 23 - July12 (5.0 Credits)

Fire Ecology of the Crown of the Continent
FORS391, August 9 - 18 (4.0 Credits)



For more information about either course, click here.
Find Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot on Facebook!

Come back-packing in the Anaconda Pintler and Welcome Creek Wilderness Areas this summer!



The Citizen Science Program is now accepting volunteers to join us on our popular back-packing trips to monitor weeds, inventory recreation impacts, and evaluate wilderness character. These trips fill up fast, so check out our schedule here and sign up!

"Last summer was a mind-expanding and fulfilling experience on par with living in Japan for a year, bicycling myself across the northwest, and assembling an exhibition of my artwork. I met and learned from wise and motivated people; we had fruitful backcountry talks about Montana’s wildlands and the importance of carefully collecting quantitative data to inform stewardship of these areas."

Read the rest of Field Leader Evan Holstrom's personal essay about the Wilderness Institute's Citizen Monitoring Program here.

Register now for 2013 - 2014 Field Courses

more>>