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Protecting 

vulnerable ecosystems 

in Yellowstone

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Yellowstone

Season Highlights

Yellowstone National Park sits in one of the last nearly intact temperate ecosystems on the planet. And it’s home to some of the continent’s most charismatic wildlife, like bison and grizzly bear, species once on the very brink of extinction.

 

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is intact because of the determination of citizens and scientists who have supported, preserved, reintroduced, and managed these critical species and habitats-otherwise it would be lost.

 

EPI’s programming develops this conservation mindset by engaging local students in scientific research and providing deep experiences with the natural world. These students arrive in the field as inquisitive youth and emerge as empowered, inspired conservation leaders.

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Support 

Yellowstone Students

Take the first step in engaging the next generation of conservation leaders.

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Beyond 

the Fieldwork

Life-changing experiences in the field are continued through in-depth alumni programs, like the Bitterroot Wildlife Internship, which provide students with a more extended and self-driven experiences in ecological studies and conservation service. 

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EPI's alumni opportunities build on our core educational programs, deepening the impact on our students. Through independent research projects and mentorship with scientists, these programs change lives. 

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Meet some of our alumni and the wildlife they're working to protect.

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YellowstoneA Teacher Who Travels
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A Summer Internship for our Alumni!

The Bitterroot Wildlife Internship (BWI) is an intensive, 4-week long internship focused on ecological education, conservation service, and hands-on research at the MPG Ranch in Lolo, Montana.

 

Open to high school students in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, the internship provides students the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with scientists that are conducting on-going studies. The experience culminates in a symposium-style poster session, open to the public, where interns share the findings of their own independent projects.

 

The application period for the 2021 BWI Internship is now open through Friday, January 22, 2021.

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.



APPLY TODAY
2020 MPG REPORT

RESEARCH PARTNERS

B Bar Ranch 

Custer-Gallatin National Forest (Gardiner Ranger District) 

National Parks Conservation Association 

Yellowstone Bear Management Team Yellowstone Bison Management Team 

Yellowstone Botany Team 

Yellowstone Wolf Project

PARTNER WITH US

FUNDERS

Anonymous Donor 

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust 

Cross Charitable Foundation 

The William H. and Margaret M. Wallace Foundation 

State of Montana GEAR UP Program 

AMB West Community Fund 

The Lightfoot Foundation 

Cinnabar Foundation 

Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund