Winter Wolf Discovery

Educational Adventures

Yellowstone Association Field Courses

Wildlands Studies   San Francisco State credit

Instructional course for collegiate students visiting Yellowstone National Park

Making arrangements for any Yellowstone Association Institute program can be done by contacting the registrar at the address below.  Reservations will be confirmed in writing.  All participants are required to sign a Release and Assumption of Risk form.

Yellowstone Association Institute

P.O. Box 117  Yellowstone National Park  Wyoming 82190

Phone: (307) 344-2294     Fax: (307) 344-2485    

$180 (Member’s fee $170)

Spring is a superb time for viewing wildlife in Yellowstone. Field observation will be the major goal and activity of this introduction to the park's many wildlife species. Methods of unobtrusive observation and the ethics of interaction with wildlife will be central themes. The flexible schedule of daily field trips allows for discussions on various wildlife topics, issues, and controversies. The opening session will focus on tips for the best use of scopes and binoculars. Be prepared for occasional moderate hikes at higher elevations.

We will meet in the Mammoth Hot Springs area at 10:00 am on the first day and end with an optional evening outing on the last day. Rooms have been set aside at Mammoth - contact registrar for reservation information.

Spring Wildlife on the Northern Range LODGING

$180 (Member’s fee $170)

Winter departs slowly from Yellowstone, but with spring comes new life and a wildlife show second to none. There are wolf pups in dens and bear mothers with new young in tow. Red bison calves frolic in the herd and the elk come to term. Small hibernators scamper about and birds return from the south. We will spend time viewing and learning about the wildlife on Yellowstone's Northern Range, including one of the world's great wildlife viewing areas, the Lamar Valley, where we may see elk, bison, coyotes, bears, and wolves. Bring your binoculars and be prepared for short hikes in easy terrain.

We will meet in the Mammoth Hot Springs area at 9:00 am on the first day and end late afternoon on the last day. Rooms have been set aside at Mammoth - contact registrar for reservation information.

(see description above)

$180 (Member’s fee $170)

Yellowstone National Park may be the best place in the world to watch wolves. Bring your binoculars, warm clothing for freezing mornings, and join the fun. We'll consider the scientific and social reasons why some Americans have alternately reviled and revered wolves. We'll also think through the process of justifying their restoration as an experimental population under the Endangered Species Act. Find out what the wolves eat, how they kill their prey, which does the killing, and what effect wolves have on other animals, including livestock outside the park. Practice patience at the roadside watching for wolves at dawn and dusk, and discuss them while watching videos and slides in the classroom at midday.

Bring a scope and tripod if you have them. We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 9:00 am on the first day and end at 3:00 pm on the last day.

$180 (Member’s fee $170) New

The restoration of wolves has caused a ripple like a large rock thrown into a small pond and the entire grazer-predator-scavenger food web has felt the effects. At dawn and dusk, we will attempt to observe direct interactions between wolves and other species - wolves chasing elk and bison; face-offs between grizzly bears, coyotes, and wolves; ravens, hawks, and eagles sharing the feast with wolves. In the classroom, we will think together about the interrelationships using illustrated talks and videos. There will be time each afternoon to nap, explore, hike, or read, in preparation for another wolf watching adventure.
We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 9:00 am on the first day and end at 3:00 pm late afternoon on the last day.

Wolf Recovery in the Northern Rockies
May 30-31 (#517) Limit: 12
Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Instructor: David Gaillard, M.E.S.
$125 (Member’s fee $115) New

The Yellowstone wolf recovery program generated more public comments than any other natural resource issue in U.S. history. Is it the conservation success-story of the century, or has it brought problems that will only worsen in years to come? What have been the effects of wolf recovery for both people and wolves? Have predictions about effects on the economy and ecology come true? What do we do now that wolves are nearing recovery goals? How many wolves are enough, and where? Join us for a "crash course" on wolf policy in Yellowstone and across the northern Rockies. The format will be presentations and discussions, including plenty of time for observing wolves and other wildlife in Yellowstone.
We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 7:00 am on the first day and end late afternoon on the second day.

$125 (Member’s fee $115)

The mythological wolf has guided the human spirit through the ages. Today, in the process of pursuing the Yellowstone wolves, visitors have discovered much about these animals and themselves. Join us in a search for wolves and learn more about our relationship to these controversial carnivores. Immerse yourself in the ecological, cultural, and spiritual realm of the wolf through observations, presentations, and discussions. Plan on being in the field for sunrise and sunset each day. Be prepared for moderately strenuous hikes in the morning or afternoon. In addition to presentations each evening, there will be time for rest and quiet contemplation.

We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 7:00 pm on the first day and end at 3:00 pm on the last day.

$235 (Member’s fee $225)

The ecological role of mammals in the Yellowstone ecosystem is the focus of this course. We will study large and small mammal behavior, factors affecting their distribution and abundance, and their management in different parts of the park. Fieldwork and early morning and evening observations of elk, bison, bears, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, ground squirrels, pikas, and possibly wolves will be emphasized. No specific biological background is required, but enthusiasm and a desire to enjoy long hours in the field with animals are a prerequisite. Be prepared for moderate, but not strenuous hiking.

We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 8:30 am on the first day and end late afternoon on the last day.

$65 (Member’s fee $55) New

Discover the excitement of wolf watching in Yellowstone! Packed with information, the course will begin with classroom presentations on the momentous history of wolf recovery, recent scientific research discoveries, and the contentious management of these controversial predators. Midway through the afternoon, we will go outside for short, moderately strenuous hikes to ecologically or historically significant locations. After a dinner break, the evening excursion will provide a good opportunity to locate and watch wolves and other wildlife.

We will meet at 1:00 pm in the Lamar Ranch area and end at approximately 10:00 pm.

$220 (Member’s fee $210)

Dire, gray, red, and timber wolves, coyotes, and foxes: these canids have all roamed North America. Some still survive here in spite of their human cohabitants. How did they evolve and where do they fit in the overall scheme of things? Where does the domestic dog fit in? What is the modern ecology of North American wolves? How do we study these animals in the field? What is happening with the dynamic Yellowstone wolf reintroduction? Will wolves survive the steadily increasing human population? Join Elaine, carnivore paleontologist, and Jim, carnivore ecologist, to answer these and more questions.

Optional sunrise and evening field trips emphasizing wolf observation and reintroduction into Yellowstone will supplement morning and afternoon lectures.

We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 9:00 am on the first day and end about 5:00 pm on the last day. Fee includes $20 for course materials.

$180 (Member’s fee $170) New

Immerse yourself in the principles of predator-prey dynamics as we examine the effects of keystone predators (especially wolves and bears) on ungulate prey populations. We will use computer models to explore the dynamics of predator-prey systems in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and we will have early-morning field trips looking for wolves and grizzly bears. Lectures will provide an overview of current research programs on predator-prey systems in the Greater Yellowstone area.

We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 9:00 am on the first day and end at 4:00 pm on the last day. If available, students are encouraged (but not required) to bring PC-based laptop computers.

$200 (Member’s fee $190)

Join us for a comprehensive and intensive study of wolves. Through a combination of classroom sessions and field trips to watch wolves, we will examine their habitat and acclimation pens. You will learn about wolves of the world, North America, and Yellowstone National Park. Topics and issues include: population status worldwide, taxonomy, predator-prey relationships, relationships with other carnivores, morphology, and evolution. A discussion of human/livestock/wolf relations will also be conducted.

There will be required reading before the class begins as well as during the session. Slide shows and videos will be used in the classroom. Participants should be able to hike 2 to 3 miles.

We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 9:00 am on the first day and end late afternoon on the last day.

Wolf Watching in Yellowstone
July 2-4 (#706) Limit: 12
Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Instructor: Norman A. Bishop
$180 (Member’s fee $170)

Yellowstone National Park may be the best place in the world to watch wolves. Bring your binoculars, scope and tripod if you have them (Institute has scopes), warm clothing for freezing mornings, and join the crowd. In this course, we will consider the scientific and social reasons why some Americans have alternately reviled and revered wolves. We'll also examine the process of justifying the wolf’s restoration as an experimental population under the Endangered Species Act. Find out what the wolves eat, how they kill their prey, which does the killing, and what effect the wolves have on other animals, including livestock outside the park. We’ll watch for wolves from the roadside at dawn and dusk, and discuss them while watching videos and slides in the classroom at midday.
We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 9:00 am on the first day and end at 3:00 pm on the last day.

$125 (Member’s fee $115) New

What species of wildlife were present in Yellowstone before European settlement and how common were these species? How has subsequent settlement and development changed wildlife populations in the park? Some authors have argued that large mammals were not present in the park before the 19^th century and that current animal populations were pushed here by encroaching civilization. Under this scenario, current conditions are unnatural, and action should be taken to drastically reduce some wildlife populations including elk and bison herds. But are present wildlife populations really unnatural? This course uses historic accounts from people who visited the park between 1806 and 1882 to address the question. Students will examine numerous documents indicating the presence and prevalence of different wildlife species in the park including elk, bison, wolves, and grizzly bears. Documents to be examined include government survey reports, journals of explorers, trappers, prospectors, military parties, and tourists, early maps, popular books and periodical articles, historic photographs, and contemporary newspaper reports. The course also examines historic populations of threatened or endangered species such as the lynx to help us set realistic recovery goals.

We will meet in the Lamar Ranch area at 1:00 pm on the first day and end mid-afternoon on the last day.

$235 (Member’s fee $225) New

Yellowstone is home to perhaps the world’s most observable wild wolves. These fascinating predators will be the focus for this all-outdoor, natural history curriculum. The course is for the adamant wolf-lover and outdoor enthusiast. Hikes to find lesser-known packs will be sandwiched between early morning and late evening road-based searches. Evenings will be spent around the campfire enjoying presentations by guest experts. Autumn offers quiet, scenic views and nice weather, though students must be prepared for cold mornings and evenings. Students should be prepared to camp and complete strenuous off-trail hikes in sometimes rugged terrain.

Making arrangements for any Yellowstone Association Institute program can be done by contacting the registrar at the address below.  Reservations will be confirmed in writing.  All participants are required to sign a Release and Assumption of Risk form.

Yellowstone Association Institute

P.O. Box 117

Phone: (307) 344-2294

Fax: (307) 344-2485

Contents

What's New?

Wolf Courses

Visit Yellowstone

Yellowstone Wolf Packs

Gallery

Links

Educational Materials

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructor: Norman A. Bishop

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructors: Brian Peck & David Gaillard, M.E.S.

Limit: 13  Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructor: Nathan Varley, M.S.

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Credit pending: U, 1 semester hour, MSU, U of MT, CSU

Instructors: Elaine Anderson, Ph.D., & James Halfpenny, Ph.D.

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructor: Nathan Varley, M.S.

Limit: 20 Location: Lamar Valley I

instructors: Sandra Nykerk & Jim Garry, M.S.

30-

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructors: Douglas Smith, Ph.D. & Christine Smith

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructor: Norman A. Bishop

Limit: 8 Location: Lamar Valley

Instructors: Mike & Erin Thompson, Wilderness Pack Trips, Inc.

Limit: 10 Location: Beartooth Wilderness

Instructor: Nathan Varley, M.S.

22-24

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructor: Norman A. Bishop

15-17

Limit: 13 Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Instructor: James Halfpenny, Ph.D.