DAY 1

WELCOME & ORIENTATION

The program starts with an evening orientation. Participants will get to know one another and be introduced to the program. Throughout the evening, the itinerary and seminar key concepts will be discussed, as well as what to expect to pack for the field each day.

DAY 2

WILDLIFE WATCHING

With a focus on wildlife, this day will consist of a mixture of early morning roadside
wildlife watching and early afternoon wildlife discussions. In the mid-afternoon the class
will go for a hike (or snowshoe depending on snowpack) and have lunch in the field. The class will return late-afternoon for free time and dinner and be followed with an evening presentation.

DAY 3

CHRISTMAS DAY
Early-morning wildlife watching, then return to the Lamar Buffalo Ranch for relaxation and Christmas festivity preparations. If time allows, the class will go back out into the field for an abbreviated wildlife watching or hike (or snowshoe) activity. Participants will enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner!

DAY 4

NATURAL HISTORY

With a focus on natural and cultural history, this day will consist of a mixture of early
morning roadside wildlife watching and early afternoon history discussions. In the mid-afternoon this class will go for a hike (or snowshoe depending on snowpack) and have lunch in the field. The class will return late-afternoon for dinner.

DAY 5

CHECKOUT & DEPARTURE

Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, and goes through Thursday, December 26, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

Lodging Check-in & Check-out: Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23, 2024, and lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 27, 2024.

Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.

Optional Airport Shuttle: We provide an optional airport shuttle for those interested. The shuttle service is provided on the first day of the program with a 1:00 p.m. pickup and the last day of the program with a departure from the Lamar Buffalo Ranch at 8:00 a.m.

1st Day of Program | Shuttle Pickup Location:  Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

1st Day of Program | Shuttle Drop off Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Check-out Day | Shuttle Pickup Location: Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Check-out Day | Shuttle Departure Location: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

If you opt-in to the shuttle service, please ensure that your flight booking will allow for you to be picked up and dropped off during the above timeframes.

Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:

Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3

Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm

If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.

General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar Buffalo Ranch – Winter General Information document.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 2

• Be prepared for hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
• Most activities will take place at elevations between 7,200 to 8,000 feet. Participants residing at lower elevations may want to arrive a day early to adjust to the altitude.
• To learn more about how specific medical conditions can be affected by Yellowstone’s environment and our activities, please visit our site page on health information.
• All field activities will be conducted as a group. If members of the group cannot participate in the day’s activities, they need to let the educator know in advance.
• To participate in this program, each participant must fill out and sign a health questionnaire and assumption of risk waiver. These forms must be completed and returned at least 30 days prior to the program start date.

RECOMMENDED READINGS

• Smith, Douglas W., et al. 2020. Yellowstone Wolves: Science and Discovery in the World’s First National Park. The University of Chicago Press.
• McIntyre, Rick. 2022. The Reign of Wolf 21: The Saga of Yellowstone’s Legendary Druid Pack. Greystone Books.
• Lamplugh, Rick. 2017. Deep into Yellowstone: A Year’s Immersion into Grandeur and Controversy. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
• Nelson, Megan Kate. 2022. Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America. Scribner.
• National Park Service. 2022 Resource and Issues Handbook. NPS.

Whom to Contact: For any questions, concerns, or additional information please contact the following:

Program itinerary, health forms, payment, and general program questions please contact Yellowstone Forever at [email protected] or 406-848-2400 extension 3

Road updates, park conditions, and general park information please contact Yellowstone National Park Service at https://www.nps.gov/yell/contacts.htm

If running late for a program, please contact 406-641-2185.

General Information: For general information about the facilities, preparation for classes, what to expect, cancellation policies, and more, please see the Lamar Buffalo Ranch – Winter General Information document.