Breaking into conservation isn’t easy, especially in western Montana. But the scientific skills Whitney Wyche built in different EPI courses, alongside students just like her, gave her a solid foundation to get started. Today she works for the Land Trust of Napa County in California, mapping rare plants, checking wildlife cameras, and removing invasive species, among other tasks. Read her story to see how she got there.

Many of us have probably seen a beaver dam, at least in pictures. These fascinating animals are known for their ability to reshape rivers, and are pretty adorable too. But their dams do more than change the landscape. They can also play an important role in helping rivers withstand the growing impacts of wildfires and climate change. In this blog post we share with you a bit of some really interesting info based on insights shared during our fifth Alumni Webinar Series by Ku

Around the time I got my first Instagram I also went on my first EPI trip. My nerves surrounding EPI’s unplugged policy had less to do with being offline and more to do with being disconnected from my parents. 12 years later I went on my first EPI course as an adult and employee. Although adults don’t have to go unplugged on EPI courses , I decided to go as unplugged as possible. I wanted to challenge myself to feel as connected to the student experience as possible. Here is

Ryan Binga has a pretty interesting job. One day he might be in a Missoula classroom teaching students what to do if they encounter a bear. The next day he could be creating videos for Wildlife Wednesdays on Instagram, and the day after that he might be leading a bird count. How did he get there at such a young age? Through MFWP AmeriCorps, a program that not only makes a significant impact on conservation but also provides career opportunities for its members.

For the past three years, Joe has closely observed the flowering process of a serviceberry tree (Amelanchier alnifolia) outside his office. As he explained during the webinar, something as simple as watching leaves and flowers emerge in early spring can be a powerful way to do climate science.

Healthy rivers don’t happen by accident. In this webinar recap, Rad Watkins explains how forested watersheds and thriving riparian zones prevent flooding, reduce erosion, filter pollutants, and protect water quality. Learn why native vegetation along riverbanks is essential—and how simple human actions can either restore or degrade an entire river system.