University of Montana Western Environmental Sciences Department

10/06/2026

Students thinking bout how H2O moves things around 🌊

09/28/2026

Introduction to Physical Geology (GEO101) has been getting out there. Some geologically famous localities, some more slept on. Confronted daily by deep time. Also….we measured some boulders 🪨

09/25/2026

A Week in the Field: Day 3! 💧🌎

For our final day in the field, we hit 7 different bodies of water to see how water chemistry changes across the watershed. 🐸

At each site, we collected water samples and used a YSI to measure temperature, pH, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chloride, and elevation. 📊💧

Three days of getting our boots dirty, collecting data, learning new field techniques, and seeing hydrology in action! 🌲🥾

It’s pretty cool to see how all those measurements can come together to tell a bigger story about our water and our watershed.

Day 3: ✔️ Field week complete! 🎉

HydrologyStudent FieldScience

09/24/2026

A Week in the Field: Day 2! 💧

Day 2 was all about figuring out how much water is actually moving through the stream. 🌊

We used a stream flow meter to measure velocity across the channel, collected water chemistry data with a YSI, and even tested for radon. Then came the fun part… calculating discharge!📏💧

There’s something pretty cool about taking measurements out in the field and turning them into numbers that tell us what’s happening in a watershed.

Turns out, hydrology is a lot of “stand in the water and do math.” 😂

Day 2: ✔️
Day 3: Coming up… 👀

09/17/2026

Reflecting on what we love about our natural world! Students in ENSC 121: Environmental Sustainability enjoyed an overnight experience at the Taft-Nicholson Center, exploring and connecting with the incredible landscapes surrounding Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge 🌲🏞️🪨🌿🌍

08/29/2026

The Geology of the American West class spent the week mapping and exploring on a multi-day camping trip, led by new faculty member Dr. Caden Howlett. Through thick Proterozoic quartzites, a very smelly carbonate, sand dunes and multiple big rainstorms, it was a wonderful time. We held a lot of rocks.
⛰️🌲🌊⛈️🌋

08/28/2026

Who doesn’t love a win-win for our water resources? Our partners and alums are creating lasting impacts for rivers in Southwest Montana!

In case you missed it: The listless Big Hole River upstream of Fish Trap Creek appears barely capable of floating a Styrofoam cup.

Yet at least the river near Wisdom hasn’t dried up, as it did in 1988.

Years of drought reminiscent of Dust Bowl conditions have stirred action among people and organizations who care both about the river and the working residents of the Big Hole Valley.

Read more in the comments below:

07/23/2026

Where have your field days taken you this summer? Our faculty conducted a mountain goat survey in the Pioneer mountains with . Reach out to see how you can help with citizen science projects too!

06/30/2026

Verge (‘26) is putting his skills to use and enjoying the Centennial Valley working as a Rangeland Technician with The Nature Conservancy this summer! What are you doing this summer?

06/29/2026

Regenerative agricultural practices are expanding in Dillon, MT, thanks to the Matador Ranch and Cattle Field Day! We are gearing up for future student soil health and wildlife projects.