DATES: JUNE 7 – 10, 2025
TUITION: $970
LOCATION: LAMAR BUFFALO RANCH
GROUP SIZE: 13
ACTIVITY LEVEL: 1
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Spring is the time for wildlife watching! The snow is finally melting, making way for green sprouts of grass as babies of every species begin to make their arrival. Participants will look for bear cubs, wolf pups, bison calves, elk calves, bighorn lambs, and lots of young birds. Participants will use spotting scopes and binoculars and take short walks to better vantage points. Discussions about why species choose certain birthing grounds and how they protect and raise their young will be facilitated. Class will be outside from before dawn throughout the day to after sundown, with plenty of free time to enjoy all aspects of Yellowstone’s vibrant spring.
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
7:00 a.m.
Depart for morning wildlife watching. Roadside viewing for wolves, bears, and other animals that are most active in the morning.
12:00 p.m.
Lunch break at the ranch
Bring snacks for the field, as this time may change pending wildlife activity.
1:00 p.m.
Classroom lecture
2:00 p.m.
Afternoon walk up to 1 mile in wildlife habitat, and wildlife field lecture and reflection activity.
4:30 p.m.
Return to the ranch for dinner and a break.
6:30 p.m. Optional evening wildlife watching on one of these evenings.
DAY 3
7:00 a.m.
Depart for morning wildlife watching. Roadside viewing for wolves, bears, and other animals that are most active in the morning.
12:00 p.m.
Lunch break at the ranch
Bring snacks for the field, as this time may change pending wildlife activity.
1:00 p.m.
Classroom lecture
2:00 p.m.
Afternoon walk up to 1 mile in wildlife habitat, and wildlife field lecture and reflection activity.
4:30 p.m.
Return to the ranch for dinner and a break.
6:30 p.m. Optional evening wildlife watching on one of these evenings.
DAY 4
Depart for early morning wildlife watching. Roadside viewing for wolves, bears, and other animals that are most active in the morning.
Search for other wildlife species including songbirds, raptors, and sandhill cranes.
Lunch in the Field
Afternoon walk up to 1 mile in wildlife habitat, wildlife field lecture.
We will then return to the Ranch for a reflection activity and closing discussions.
5:00 p.m.
Dinner and Evening on your own
Dates & Times: The program begins at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, and goes through Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Lodging Check-in & Check-out: Lodging check-in begins at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, and lodging check-out is at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Meals: This course is not catered. Participants will need to bring their own food; lunch should be able to travel in the field.
ACTIVITY LEVEL 1
- Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.
- For more information about our activity levels, please visit our Activity Level webpage here.
- 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.
EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THIS COURSE:
Suggested Packing List located in General Information document under the ‘Whom to Contact’ tab.
- Journal for Nature Writing
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-Based Field Seminars – General Information document.
Cancellation Policy: Review our Cancellation & Refund Policies here.
BOOK THIS FIELD SEMINAR NOW
Shauna Baron, M.S.
Shauna Baron holds a B.S. in Biology, and a M.S. in Science Education. She has nearly 30 years of experience as an outdoor educator. She has participated in numerous wildlife studies throughout the U.S., including wolves, bear, pelicans and ravens. Shauna saw her first wild wolf while volunteering with the Yellowstone Wolf Project in 1996, and she has been working to protect carnivores and wild ecosystems, ever since. Shauna spent 13 years as a resident instructor for the Yellowstone Forever Institute, where she specialized in creating outdoor education programs for disabled veterans, inner-city youth, as well as autistic youth groups. Today, she continues to share her knowledge of the natural world, working as a naturalist guide in Yellowstone National Park. She is a published author and editor. When she is not writing or guiding a group, she can be found sitting on a hill watching wildlife, with a scope to her eye or book in her lap.
