“I never even knew places like this could exist!”
Taking students out of their daily lives and the stress of modern day, “plugged-in” culture, sharing with them the rhythms of a wild space, introducing them to public lands and career paths all while engaging their minds and bodies is much of the “why” we do what we do. It is our highest honor to design educational curriculum while attending to the whole person in residential stays during our Yellowstone group tours. By spending days in the park, we're able to cover some ground and incorporate guest speakers who are literally the world's experts on their subject matter.
Is your school or community organization interested in an immersive Yellowstone experience? Read on for just an example of what Walking Shadow Ecology Tours of Yellowstone loves to provide...
Every September, we partner with ARCC Adventures to host a week-long Yellowstone education program for gap year students. We spend months crafting an engaging itinerary and curriculum that deepens students' appreciation for public lands. Yellowstone is at the top of their extraordinary itinerary, and a dynamic way to launch into their semester-long experience.
Our program features guest speakers who are leaders in their fields, thought-provoking discussions, and hands-on activities. Here are some excerpts from our Fall 2024 program (originally posted on Facebook).
To start off, we met the students for orientation, focusing on creating comfort, establishing group norms, and weaving in personal interest as we go.
These talks often evolve into honest and candid conversation. As we chatted, we realized most of these youth were just wrapping up 8th grade when Covid hit. One participant summed up the group’s goal: "I want to enjoy learning again." And honestly? That's what this week is all about.
Day 1: Geology is boss.
The sculpting of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has spanned some 500 million years. From oceans to volcanoes to glaciers, Yellowstone’s geology is the foundation for the national park we know and love today.
Today we explored the complex geological history of Yellowstone National Park. We visited Norris Geyser Basin, home to the world’s largest unpredictable geyser. We listened to the growls of super heated water surface from below, while learning how the Yellowstone volcano influences everything from topography to weather to where we find wildlife in the Yellowstone region.
We shared stories of the history of this landscape from its earliest inhabitants 13,000 years ago to the modern age. Students learned of the nearly 50 indigenous tribes who have cultural connections to this land, and explored the foundations of the National Park Service while discussing what the future of the national parks may hold.
We concluded the day with a presentation by Mike Poland, the Scientist in Charge at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, who debriefed the community of Gardiner on the recent hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin. Geology is now!
Day 2 - Yellowstone Lake: what lies below?
If you drained Yellowstone Lake, with its 141 mile shoreline, and 136 sq mile surface, you’d likely find one of the largest geyser basin on Earth. It is also a complex ecosystem of native and non-native trout, aquatic invertebrates, nesting birds, mammals including beaver and bears, and around 150 inlet streams. But if you’re a drop of Lake water, there’s only one way out: The Yellowstone River!
Today we learned geologic history and current management challenges in the “largest alpine lake in North America”. From shoreline talks with fisheries biologists to a boat ride out to a remote island (thank you Xanterra Travel Collection and the amazing guides at the Bridge Bay Marina), we learned the critical importance of those species lesser seen in an ecosystem that would make it’s own national park if not embedded in Yellowstone.
And we made sure to get a plunge in!
Day 3 — Wolves and Wildland Fire
Since colonial times, the wolf has been seen as a threat and nuisance to human civilization. They were persecuted beginning in Europe in the Middle Ages and killed up through the 1970s in North America. After a 70-year absence in Yellowstone National Park the wolf was brought back to Yellowstone in 1995.
Today, students spent time with wildlife biologists discussing the role of the wolf as a top predator and keystone species in the Yellowstone Ecosystem, as well as the science behind wolf recovery and sustainability.
Students were also able to engage with other departments to explore their professional interests. A highlight was visiting with Yellowstone's Helitack Wildland Fire and Search and Rescue crew, including getting up close and personal with firefighting equipment--even the Type 3 Helicopter. Big smiles on the futures of the field!
Day 4 — Predators, Prey and Other Wildlife
Today we rose before the sun to look for wild wolves, bears, and other large and small mammals with our high powered optics.
We engaged with Rick McIntyre, author and global voice of the gray wolf species, who shared stories of observed animal behavior in Yellowstone that connect people to conservation around the world. We watched bison, elk and marmots and other wildlife, all who create one of the most intact ecosystems left on the planet.
Day 5 — Tying it all together.
We spent the morning getting our hands dirty on a working ranch adjacent to the Park, engaging in the private lands that help support the vast Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We learned about and dug out noxious weeds like houndstongue. We discussed different management techniques, whether private, national, tribal, regional or state, that come together to create a thriving, diverse mosaic of the area.
We discussed the history of the land as a spiritual asset, how to read labels in the supermarket, and ways of sustaining a connection to the land, be that working on a ranch or tending a small garden.
We also touched on the future of places like Yellowstone, and how citizen engagement is a key element to their continued success.
In the tradition of Plains tribes, we completed the week by adding to our Winter Count, a pictorial calendar marking the passage of important events.
Another Gap Year program in the books, we are incredibly grateful to host the youth and expose them to different possibilities and philosophies as they find their path.
And we have so much gratitude for what they teach us along the way.
Are you an educator, group leader, or administrator? Find out how Walking Shadow Ecology Tours of Yellowstone can assist with designing an extraordinary custom Yellowstone education program for your students (of all ages!) Get some ideas by checking out our Custom Educational Tours page, and our Yellowstone Group Tours page. Or simply get in touch by emailing info@yellowstone.education, and let the us know how we can help create life-long connections between your students and the natural world.
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