Yellowstone Forever Institute | Summer 2023 Catalog

INSTITUTE

SUMMER 2023 EDUCATION PROGRAMS

INSTITUTE

The varied landscapes of Yellowstone National Park provide opportunities for transformative experiences—whether it’s seeing your first wild wolf in Lamar Valley, witnessing a rare Steamboat Geyser eruption, or listening to gushing waters falling into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone—there is something to behold for everyone. While Yellowstone can speak for itself, Yellowstone Forever’s education team enhances park visits by engaging visitors through a variety of opportunities that highlight the natural and cultural heritages of this incredible landscape.

The Yellowstone Forever Institute, in partnership with the National Park Service, provides educational programming that helps visitors enjoy, appreciate, and better understand the complexities of the world’s first national park. Visitors of all ages can expand their knowledge of the park by participating in one of our programs and come away with a passion for learning and an appreciation of the outdoors that lasts a lifetime.

I hope you will join us in Yellowstone this summer!

Amanda Hagerty Director of Education

Yellowstone Forever

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

PRIVATE TOURS

Make the most out of your trip to Yellowstone and book a Private Tour with one of Yellowstone Forever’s educators. We offer four summer tour options from wildlife watching to geyser gazing. All programs will connect participants to the stories behind the fascinating sights and sounds of Yellowstone. Any of these tours can be catered to a family friendly adventure.

ALL PRIVATE TOURS INCLUDE:

• Delicious field breakfast and lunch catered by Tumbleweed Bookstore & Cafe in Gardiner, Montana

• Hot beverage service

• Pick-ups only available in Gardiner, Montana (up to 10 miles out of town) and Mammoth Hot Springs.

• High-powered scopes and binoculars

• Other field equipment, as needed

Private Tour Base Rate is $710 for full-day Private Tour including meals (breakfast and lunch).

Pricing will be adjusted based upon your group size. Please visit Yellowstone.org/experience for detailed information.

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

PRIVATE TOUR OPTIONS

YELLOWSTONE DAY HIKING

This tour is designed for those who want to explore Yellowstone on foot and to have a more active adventure in Yellowstone. Participants will explore Yellowstone’s backcountry.

LAMAR VALLEY WILDLIFE WATCHING

This tour is designed for those who want to focus on viewing and learning about wildlife along Yellowstone’s famous northern range. This tour heads out early in the morning for the best chance of catching Yellowstone’s charismatic megafauna when they’re most active.

GRAND CANYON OF THE YELLOWSTONE

This tour is designed for those who want to explore the natural and geologic history of Yellowstone with epic views of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. The morning will be spent wildlife watching along Yellowstone’s famous northern range on the way to the Grand Canyon area.

GEYSERS, MUDPOTS, AND HOT SPRINGS

This tour is designed for those who want to explore Yellowstone’s geyser basins and learn about the supervolcano just beneath the surface. Yellowstone is home to the world’s greatest concentration of hydrothermal features – more than 10,000.

PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS

This tour is designed for photographers of all skill levels – beginners to professional –who want to learn how to beautifully capture Yellowstone.

Private photography tours have slightly different pricing than what was listed previously; photography tours start at $860. If you are interested in a private photography tour, please email us at institute@yellowstone.org.

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

NPS / NEAL HERBERT

YELLOWSTONE DAY ADVENTURES

Join us as we explore the stunning northern range and Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park, home to a diverse array of wildlife including bears, elk, bison, wolves, bighorn sheep, moose, and pronghorn. Our high-powered optics will allow you to feel up close and personal with these magnificent animals as we observe them in their natural habitats.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there! Our expert Yellowstone Forever field educator will guide you to the best viewing spots and share the stories behind Yellowstone and its diverse species, bringing the park’s history and ecology to life. This tour offers the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the beauty of Yellowstone’s wildlife and landscapes.

Tours are offered every Friday from June 2023 through September 2023. They depart at 8:00 a.m. from the Yellowstone Forever Headquarters located in Gardiner, Montana. Minimum age requirement is 5 years old.

DETAILS:

• Program is offered every Friday from June 2023 - September 2023

• Tours run 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

• Pack a breakfast and lunch to-go

• Departing from the Yellowstone Forever Headquarters Building in Gardiner, Montana

• Adults $95, Youth (5-12 years old) $59 Discount for youth will be applied at checkout

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

NPS / NEAL HERBERT

YF / MATT LUDIN

LODGING & LEARNING

Our award-winning Lodging & Learning packages are developed through a partnership with Yellowstone National Park Lodges. These packages combine the best lodging locations with an exceptional immersive field education experience. All packages are led by Yellowstone Forever’s naturalist educators who are among the best expert field educators in Yellowstone. You’ll spend your days in the field with a small group experiencing the park, and your nights in one of Yellowstone’s beloved lodges. This educational option is a favorite for those who want to immerse themselves in the park, but would prefer a private and modern lodging option.

SPRING WOLF & BEAR DISCOVERY

LOCATION: Mammoth Hot Springs

PROGRAM START DATES: May 2, May 8, May 9, May 15, May 16, May 22, and May 23

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 days

COST: $1,465 per person, double occupancy; $1,999 per person, single occupancy

Yellowstone’s famous northern range is a prime location to view wolves and bears in the spring. This package is designed to take advantage of both rare opportunities. A Yellowstone Forever field educator will share up-to-date information about Yellowstone wildlife biology, behavior, and ecology throughout daily outings. Each evening, participants will return to their comfortable accommodations at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel.

LODGING & LEARNING

YELLOWSTONE FOR FAMILIES OLD TIMES ON THE GRAND TOUR

LOCATION: Grant Village

PROGRAM START DATES: May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, August 7, and August 14

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 days

COST: $1,825 per person, double occupancy; $5,800 family of four (2 adults, 2 children in one room); $2,559 per person, single occupancy

This package is designed for families with children (ages 8- 12) who want to have a truly memorable experience in Yellowstone. Families will be led by a Yellowstone Forever field educator who handles all the logistics while ensuring everyone gets to see Yellowstone’s most popular features. This family learning adventure connects both children and adults to the Yellowstone experience through activities that integrate scientific observation, art, and more.

LOCATION: Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake

PROGRAM START DATES: May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, August 7, August 14, August 21, August 28, and September 4

PROGRAM LENGTH: 5 days

COST: $3,565 per person, double occupancy; $4,359 per person, single occupancy

This program is designed for those who want to enjoy some of the best experiences Yellowstone has to offer while traveling in style. In this allinclusive package, you’ll be transported in a vintage 1930’s White Motor Co. “Historic Yellow Bus” while visiting the most popular destinations in the park.

LODGING & LEARNING

TRAILS THROUGH YELLOWSTONE

LOCATION: Canyon

PROGRAM START DATES: June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7, August 21, September 4

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 days

COST: $2,099 per person, double occupancy; $3,069 per person, single occupancy

Designed for those who want to enjoy a more active adventure in Yellowstone National Park, program participants will spend time exploring Yellowstone’s wild backcountry. Hike along some of the most scenic trails the park has to offer, explore features and unique backcountry habitat far from crowds and noise. Each day hikers will venture out with a Yellowstone Forever field educator to explore a region of the park. Daily outings begin early to beat the crowds and increase odds of seeing wildlife that are most active at dawn.

NPS / NEAL HERBERT

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

LODGING & LEARNING

ESSENTIAL YELLOWSTONE FALL WOLF & ELK DISCOVERY

LOCATION: Yellowstone Lake

PROGRAM START DATES: June 19, July 3, July 17, July 31, August 14, August 28

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 days

COST: $2,015 per person, double occupancy; $2,715 per person, single occupancy

This program is designed for those who want to enjoy the full spectrum of the Yellowstone experience in a truly immersive way. Fascinating thermal features, colorful canyons, exciting wildlife, and beautiful lake scenery are but a few of the highlights of this package. Each day the group will venture out with a Yellowstone Forever educator to learn about and explore a region of the park, while incorporating short, scenic hikes throughout the program.

LOCATION: Mammoth Hot Springs

PROGRAM START DATES: September 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 days

COST: $1,465 per person, double occupancy; $1,999 per person, single occupancy

Yellowstone’s famous northern range is a prime location to view wolves in Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs is the best place in the park to view the annual elk rut. This package is designed to take advantage of both rare opportunities. A Yellowstone Forever field educator will share up-to-date information about Yellowstone wildlife biology, behavior, and ecology throughout daily outings.

LODGING & LEARNING

ROOSEVELT RENDEZVOUS

LOCATION: Roosevelt Lodge

PROGRAM START DATE: September 8

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 days

COST: $1,789 per person, double occupancy; $2,085 per person, single occupancy

This program features three days of learning, exploration, and fun in Yellowstone. During the day, you will choose from a variety of full-day and half-day trips. Late afternoons and early evenings are reserved for rest and reflection. Read, explore the surrounding trails, have a drink on the Roosevelt Lodge porch, chat with other participants in the main lodge, or relax in your cabin. Roosevelt Rendezvous creates an intimate social atmosphere allowing participants to learn from each other and build lasting relationships with the park, as well as with each other.

NPS / JACOB W. FRANK

FIELD SEMINARS

Our world-class Field Seminars examine specific aspects of the park ecosystem through a combination of fun field excursions and presentations. Our seminar leaders are experts in their fields and include professors, naturalists, scientists, and acclaimed photographers, writers, historians, and artists. This option is a favorite for those who want to participate in a highly educational, fully immersive Yellowstone experience.

WILDERNESS FIRST AID

May 2-3

NOLS Wilderness Medicine Staff

$345

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE BIRDS: AN INTRODUCTION

May 15-16

Forrest Rowland

$312.50

Gardiner, Montana

POETRY AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

May 22-25

Chris La Tray

$1,162.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

OWLS OF YELLOWSTONE ADVANCED SPRING WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

May 8-11

Meg Sommers

$832.50

Gardiner, Montana

A CELEBRATION OF BIRD MIGRATION

May 12-13

Katy Duffy, M.S.

$275

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE BIRDS: PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

May 17-19

Forrest Rowland

$562.50

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE BIRDS: ADVANCED

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

May 20-22

Forrest Rowland

$562.50

Gardiner, Montana

May 27-28

Katy Duffy, M.S.

$375

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE SPRING WILDLIFE & LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

May 27-29

Kevin League

$802.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

NPS / NEAL HERBERT

FIELD SEMINARS

YELLOWSTONE

WOLVES & THEIR STORIES

May 30–June 2

Amanda Evans

$812.50

Gardiner, Montana

SPRING BABIES

May 31–June 3

Shauna Baron, M.S.

$1,162.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

BEARS OF GREATER YELLOWSTONE

June 5–8

Mark Haroldson and Sue Consolo-Murphy, M.S.

$955

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP: YELLOWSTONE BABIES

June 5-9

Kate Ochsman

$1,062.50

Gardiner, Montana

A WALK THROUGH TIME: GARDNER CANYON GEOLOGY

June 10

Karen Williams, Ph.D.

$312.50

Gardiner, Montana

THE GEOLOGY OF ECOLOGY

June 5–8

Paul Doss, Ph.D.

$1,162.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

DRAWING

YELLOWSTONE’S LANDSCAPES

June 15-17

Alan Petersen, M.A.

$802.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

PAINTING MORAN’S YELLOWSTONE

June 19-23

Daniel Hidalgo and Kara Hidalgo

$1,492.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

ROADSIDE GEOLOGY OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY

June 29-July 2

Robert C. Thomas, Ph.D.

$1,162.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

YELLOWSTONE’S BACKCOUNTRY SKILLS

June 25-27

Debra Dirksen, PhD.; John Dirksen, M.S.; and Orville

(Butch) Bach, Jr., Ed.D.

$832.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

FIELD SEMINARS

RAVEN RENDEZVOUS

July 4-7

Colleen Marzluff, M.S. and John Marzluff, Ph.D.

$1,197.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

WOLVES, DOGS,

AND HUMANS

July 14-17

Joanna Lambert, Ph.D.

$990

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

INTRODUCTION TO YELLOWSTONE’S PLANTS

July 24-26

Elena Ulev

$562.50

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE NATURALIST: SUMMER SESSION

July 27-August 1

Amanda Evans

$1,867.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

BUTTERFLIES OF YELLOWSTONE

July 13-15

George Bumann, M.S.

$607.50

Gardiner, Montana

BEGINNER’S FLY FISHING

July 9-12

Steve Harvey

$1,184.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

COYOTES & WOLVES: YELLOWSTONE’S EVOLUTIONARY COUSINS

July 19-22

Joanna Lambert, Ph.D.

$1,162.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

RUNNING WILD: TRAIL RUNNING IN YELLOWSTONE

July 20-23

Anthony Pavkovich, M.A.

$620

Gardiner, Montana

GLACIAL GEOLOGY UNDERFOOT

July 24-25

Karen Williams, Ph.D. and William Locke, Ph.D.

$502.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

INTRODUCTION TO YELLOWSTONE’S BIRDS

July 28-30

Elena Ulev

$425

Gardiner, Montana

FIELD SEMINARS

SUMMER DAY HIKING

August 1-4

Sam Archibald, M.E.M.

$812.50

Gardiner, Montana

WOLVES & WILLOWS

August 3-5

Brenna Cassidy, Ph.D. student

$802.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

FLY FISHING YELLOWSTONE’S BACKCOUNTRY

August 7-10

Ron Amendola and Mark

Amendola

$1,162.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

MIXED MEDIA & WATERCOLOR

FIELD JOURNALING

August 9-12

Suzie Garner, MFA

$812.50

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE’S PREQUEL: WILDLIFE & HUMANS IN THE PLEISTOCENE

August 17-21

Jeff Reed, Ph.D. and Joanna Lambert, Ph.D.

$1,285

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

CAPTURING YELLOWSTONE’S NIGHT SKY

August 14-17

Kevin League

$812.50

Gardiner, Montana

ROCKY MOUNTAIN THUNDER: BISON

RUT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

August 12-15

Kate Ochsman

$1,132.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

MICROBIAL DIVERSITY OF YELLOWSTONE HOT SPRINGS

August 19-20

Eric Boyd, Ph.D.

$342.50

Gardiner, Montana

DREAM OF THE CAVE WITCH: CROW INDIAN MYTHOLOGY OF YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY

August 23-26

Franco Littlelight

$1,132.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

LATE SUMMER DAY HIKING

August 28-31

Sam Archibald, M.E.M.

$812.50

Gardiner, Montana

FIELD SEMINARS

YELLOWSTONE FLOODS

& LANDSCAPE CHANGE: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE

August 28-31

Grant Meyer, Ph.D.

$1,132.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

FLY FISHING THE WILD BACKPACKING TRIP

September 2-9

Jesse Logan, Ph.D. and Steve Harvey

$1,852.50

Gardiner, Montana

RAPTORS OF YELLOWSTONE

September 16

Katy Duffy, M.S.

$375

Gardiner, Montana

ROCKY MOUNTAIN

BUGLE BOYS: ELK RUT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

September 28-October 1

Kate Ochsman

$812.50

Gardiner, Montana

DECODING

THE LANGUAGE OF NATURE

September 2-6

George Bumann, M.S. and Jon Young

$1,562.50

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

ADVANCED FALL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

October 3-6

Meg Sommers

$832.50

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE

TRAINS,

TRAVELERS, AND TRINKETS: HISTORY OF TOURISM IN YELLOWSTONE

September 6-9

Elizabeth “Betsy” Watry, M.A.

$812.50

Gardiner, Montana

NATURALIST: FALL SESSION

September 20-25

Amanda Evans

$1,387.50

Gardiner, Montana

Photos

NPS / Neal Herbert

12 14

NPS / Jim Peaco

YF / Matt Ludin

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Neal Herbert

YF / Matt Ludin

NPS / Jay Elhart

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

13 15

NPS / Neal Herbert

NPS / Neal Herbert

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Neal Herbert

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Diane Renkin