Bitterroot Wildlife Internship Details

The Bitterroot Wildlife Internship (BWI) program provides students with one-on-one interaction with scientists working on active research projects and hands-on experience with conservation service projects. Interns create meaningful relationships and connections with other interns, EPI instructors, and MPG researchers while working and playing side-by-side. Outside of the research and conservation projects, interns play games, help cook meals, hike, swim, and enjoy MPG Ranch. At the end of the internship each intern presents their research project and receives a stipend for their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm. Each month-long summer intern session is comprised of six interns. Interns are mentored by two EPI instructors and are paired with MPG researchers to engage in ongoing research projects and complete their own project. Interns spend Sunday through Thursday of each week at the ranch completing conservation service projects (approximately 10 hours/week), conducting ecological research (approximately 16 hours/week), and learning about the Bitterroot Valley's ecosystem (approximately 6 hours/week). By night, interns camp out on the ranch in provided tents. Conservation projects on the ranch might include weed and fence removal, planting, and native seed gathering. Potential research involvement includes bird, soil, plant, ungulate, insect, and bat research projects. Other internship activities include observing wildlife and nature journaling. This program is designed specifically for EPI's alumni who live in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.