The Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana

The Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana Furthering understanding of wilderness & wild lands stewardship through education, research & service

* Provides integrated, interdisciplinary, and experiential wilderness education.
* Disseminates information related to wilderness research, management, and education.
* Advances scholarship on wildland issues throuth research, workshops, and publications.
* Facilitates service learning and community engagement in wildland decision-making.
* Encourages dialogue regarding wilderness issues and stewardship.

09/23/2026

What did Wilderness and Civ students love most about the backpacking portion of Fall Trek? Answers vary from river crossings to friendships––their journey through the Great Bear Wilderness was nothing if not eventful!

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

Frontiersmen Hans Peter Gyllembourg Koch did more than just read.Described as a protagonist of Montana's early settlemen...
09/22/2026

Frontiersmen Hans Peter Gyllembourg Koch did more than just read.

Described as a protagonist of Montana's early settlement, Koch learned to survive off the land. He co-founded a library and a college. And he befriended many who wrote the books he collected about his chosen home, now found in "The Koch Collection of Western Exploration and Natural History: An Annotated Bibliography."

Join us for the rest of the story, told by his great-grandson Peter Rutledge Koch, on October 13 at 6:00pm in the UC Theater!

See GrizHub for more information: https://buff.ly/U4Epf2j.

📷 James Sippel, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

09/18/2026

We asked our '26 cohort to share something they learned on their trip floating the North Fork of the Flathead River. Students reflected on skills they developed during their time on the river and what new information they learned about Wild and Scenic rivers.

Thanks so much for sharing, you all rock! 🛶🌊🚣‍♀️



Fall Trek for the Wilderness & Civilization program is officially a wrap 🎬️ Students spent 6 nights in the wilderness, c...
09/17/2026

Fall Trek for the Wilderness & Civilization program is officially a wrap 🎬️

Students spent 6 nights in the wilderness, completing a total of 65 miles between the two trek groups! This year's trip featured plenty of rain, a little bit of snow, lots of backcountry cheffing, and all of the wilderness group bonding you could hope for! The groups each intercepted the Middle Fork Flathead River along their routes, allowing them to experience the Great Bear Wilderness and a Wild and Scenic River at the same time ⛰️



What did a Montana frontiersmen do after a hard days' work in 1869?For Hans Peter Gyllembourg Koch, the answer was read ...
09/16/2026

What did a Montana frontiersmen do after a hard days' work in 1869?

For Hans Peter Gyllembourg Koch, the answer was read a book!

The books came on riverboat. And Peter made room for each new addition in his collection, which began the multi-generational story featured in this years' Elers Koch Lecture: Bookmen on the Montana Frontier, October 13 at 6:00pm in the UC Theater!

More info: https://buff.ly/U4Epf2j.

09/11/2026

Shot in one of the most rugged and fire-prone wilderness areas in t...

Last week, students in the Wilderness and Civilization program kicked off their fall trek by going on a 3-night river tr...
09/11/2026

Last week, students in the Wilderness and Civilization program kicked off their fall trek by going on a 3-night river trip on the North Fork of the Flathead River. Students learned field skills, river navigation, and the importance of the 1968 Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. Happy paddling, '26 cohort!! 🚣🦦🌊🛶

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

Join us for the Elers Koch Lecture featuring Peter Koch! In this illustrated lecture titled Bookmen on the Montana Front...
09/01/2026

Join us for the Elers Koch Lecture featuring Peter Koch! In this illustrated lecture titled Bookmen on the Montana Frontier, he'll share the story of three generations of his family's life on the Montana frontier and their remarkable book collection, now published as The Koch Collection of Western Exploration and Natural History (Stanford University Libraries, 2026).

The lecture will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:00 PM in the UC Theater. Free and open to the public.

Visit GrizHub for more information: https://buff.ly/d9Q20ww

🍂 It's that time of year again — students in our Wilderness & Civilization program are gearing up for their multiday riv...
08/31/2026

🍂 It's that time of year again — students in our Wilderness & Civilization program are gearing up for their multiday river trip and week-long trek!

In addition to their first week of courses in conservation ecology, environmental art, ecology of literature, and wilderness management, students spent last week diving into river prep: getting hands-on with fluvial geomorphology and river feature ID, and hitting the town stretch right next to campus for intro paddling lessons. 🛶


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

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32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT
59812

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+14062436956

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