The Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana

📣 Now enrolling!

The Wilderness Management Graduate Certificate is back!

This online, self-paced program is designed for both current and aspiring wilderness professionals. Coursework covers the philosophy, history, policy, and practice of wilderness stewardship.

🔗 Learn more! https://www.umt.edu/wilderness-institute/education/wilderness-management-graduate-certificate/default.php



W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana

An awesome week of learning at the Northern Rockies Wilderness Skills Institute!

Calling ALL nature lovers!

Join us for a FREE evening of outdoor fun, live music, local brews, and all things wild and wonderful at the Trails, Rivers & Forests Expo — co-hosted by Wild Montana and American Rivers.

🗓️ Wednesday, June 3rd
🕔 5–9 PM
📍 Trail Head River Sports

Come hang with your favorite local outdoor organizations and businesses doing incredible work to protect and maintain access to Missoula’s trails, rivers, and forests. We’ll be there sharing information about our wilderness education programs for everyone from undergraduate and graduate students to land managers and the public!

🎶 Live music with The Pack Strings
🌮 El Cazador food truck
🍺 Cold drinks from Big Sky Brewing
🎁 Raffle prizes - purchase your tickets online
👣 Family-friendly fun

Bring your friends, bring your family—let’s celebrate the wild places that make Montana special!

Event URL: https://wildmontana.org/event/trails-rivers-forests-expo-2026/

From hauling 60-pound packs through Montana wilderness to uncovering how climate change is reshaping whitebark pine forests, recent Wilderness Institute Ph.D. graduate Josh Beisel is helping inform the future of high-elevation forest conservation in the West.

Read more from UM News: https://www.umt.edu/news/2026/05/051126pine.php

Eva Santos (W&C ’25) is graduating with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, along with minors in Wilderness Studies and Business Administration. 🎓

One of her biggest takeaways from the program was learning how to collaborate within large groups—working toward shared understanding and outcomes that are effective for everyone involved.

A memory that will stay with her: sharing a tent with a classmate she didn’t know at first, and leaving the experience with a close friend.


W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana
University of Montana

Congratulations to Cora Johnson (W&C ’24), graduating with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability, a GIS certificate, and a minor in Wilderness Studies. 🎓

One of Cora’s favorite parts of the program was connecting with land managers and ranchers—learning how conservation goals and motivations can differ, and how essential collaboration and community outreach are to protecting the environment.

Her advice to future students: be ready to see how concepts you’ve learned elsewhere are applied in the real world—and to visit those projects firsthand. And don’t forget deodorant and a few special snacks to barter with during the trek!



University of Montana W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana

Three outstanding Wilderness and Civilization 2025 alumni—Julia Ampe, Isaiah Anderson, and Anne Rehberg—presented their research at UMCUR: “Implications of Wilderness Management: Buffalo Creek Case Study.”

Their presentation explores Buffalo Creek as a case study for adaptive wilderness management, with insights for fisheries and beyond. Inspired by their Watershed Dynamics course, the project examines the tension—and balance—between native fish conservation and preserving wilderness character.

Pictured (left to right): Ethan Marshall (W&C ’24), Miranda Foster (WI graduate student), Julia, Anne, Isaiah, and Cameron Kirwan (W&C ’24).



W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana
University of Montana

Some of our Wilderness Institute undergraduates shared their research at UM’s Conference on Undergraduate Research in April.

Cameron Kirwan (W&C ’24) presented his narrative book exploring the natural, political, ecological, and human history of the proposed Great Burn Wilderness.

“It is an extremely unique and special place, and every trip I took left me wanting to know more about it,” Cameron said of his inspiration for the project.

W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana
University of Montana

🎓 Join us for Josh Beisel’s Dissertation Defense

Density-dependent interactions and their role in mediating responses to disturbance and climate across forest ecosystems

📅 Tuesday, May 5 | 🕑 2:00 PM
📍 Forestry Building, Room 206

Josh’s research explores how tree density and competition influence forest responses to disturbance and climate change—from subalpine treeline to montane forests. His work offers insights to support adaptive forest management in a changing world.

👏 Come support and learn more!


W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana

🎓 Join us for Cici Conroy’s Thesis Defense

Elevated FIA Nonresponse Rates in Wilderness: Investigating Barriers and Potential Solutions

📅 May 7 | 🕛 12–1 PM MST
📍 Clapp 452

Cici’s research explores why forest inventory data collection is more challenging in wilderness—and what can be done to improve it.

👏 Come support and learn more!