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.

Interested in the Wilderness and Civilization Semester?Join us at the Payne Family Native American Center fire pit on Oc...
10/02/2026

Interested in the Wilderness and Civilization Semester?

Join us at the Payne Family Native American Center fire pit on October 15th to learn more! You'll be able to hear from past students about their experiences, speak with current faculty, and ask any questions you might have!

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

Last weekend, students travelled to the Centennial Valley to learn about arctic grayling conservation and the connection...
10/01/2026

Last weekend, students travelled to the Centennial Valley to learn about arctic grayling conservation and the connection between species recovery and wilderness protection. Members of our cohort got to check out some fish (with our “looking bucket” or via snorkeling!) and other wildlife within Red Rocks National Wildlife Refuge.

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

10/01/2026

We wanted to share some highlights from our 2026 Fall Trek!

Hans Peter Gyllembourg Koch's son was an influential figure himself: Elers Koch established the Forest Service’s Region ...
09/30/2026

Hans Peter Gyllembourg Koch's son was an influential figure himself: Elers Koch established the Forest Service’s Region One, headquartered in Missoula. He read deeply in and contributed substantially to his father's book collection.

After Elers' death, the collection was safeguarded first by his children and now by his grandson, Peter Rutledge Koch.

Hear the full story! October 13, 6:00pm UC Theater.

More information on GrizHub: https://buff.ly/U4Epf2j.

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...

Address

32 Campus Drive
Missoula, MT
59812

Telephone

+14062436956

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to The Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana:

Shortcuts

Share

Category