Yellowstone Forever Institute | Winter 2023-24 Catalog

CONTENTS & MESSAGE

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

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The varied landscapes of Yellowstone National Park provide opportunities for transformative experiences—whether it’s seeing a wolf race across the snow in Lamar Valley or witnessing a steamy eruption of Old Faithful—there is something to behold for everyone. Winter is an exceptional time to visit the park and experience the quiet tranquility of steaming geyser basins and incredible wildlife watching opportunities, set against a snowy white backdrop.

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 winter!

Amanda Hagerty Director of Education

Yellowstone Forever

PRIVATE TOURS

Make the most out of your trip to Yellowstone with a winter tour with one of Yellowstone Forever’s educators. We offer four winter tour options from wildlife watching to cross-country skiing. All programs will connect participants to the stories behind the fascinating sights and sounds of Yellowstone.

Private Tour rates are adjusted based upon your group size. All rates include breakfast, lunch, and hot beverages.

PLEASE

VISIT

ALL PRIVATE TOURS INCLUDE:

• Delicious catered field breakfast and lunch

• Hot beverage service

• In-park and local pick-up, transportation via a 14-passenger minibus and/or transit van (Pick-ups only available in Gardiner, Montana (up to 10 miles out of town) and Mammoth Hot Springs)

• High powered scopes and binoculars

PRIVATE TOUR OPTIONS

WINTER WONDERLAND FOR FAMILIES

This tour is designed for families with children (ages 14 and under). This educational tour focuses on wildlife watching along Yellowstone’s famous northern range and Lamar Valley.

SNOWSHOE AND SIGHTSEEING EXPEDITION

This tour is designed for those who want to explore Yellowstone in winter by snowshoe. Traverse the snowy landscape on snowshoes and immerse yourself in a winter wonderland as you explore the park’s northern range. Marvel at the wildlife, from bison and elk to Yellowstone’s elusive wolves, and learn about how these animals navigate the wintry terrain.

WINTER WILDLIFE WATCHING

This tour is designed for those who want to focus on viewing and learning about wildlife along Yellowstone’s famous northern range and Lamar Valley. This tour stays close to the road as winter is the best time to view wolves in Yellowstone, and this tour is designed to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

SKIING AND SIGHTSEEING YELLOWSTONE

This tour is designed for those who want to explore Yellowstone in winter on skis. Carve your way through the park’s snow-covered landscape and learn about the park’s natural wonders as you glide through. Winter offers a unique view of the park and skis are a perfect way to experience it!

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.

DETAILS:

• Program is offered every Friday from December 2023 through March 1,2024 (some exclusions apply)

• Tours run 8:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

• 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

Tours are offered every Friday from December 22, 2023, through March 1, 2024. They depart at 8:00 a.m. from the Yellowstone Forever Headquarters located in Gardiner, MT.

Minimum age requirement is 5 years old.

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.

WINTER WOLF DISCOVERY OLD FAITHFUL WINTER EXPEDITION

LOCATION: Mammoth Hot Springs

PROGRAM START DATES: December 17, 20, 24, 27, 31; JANUARY 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28, 31; February 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28

PROGRAM LENGTH: 4 days, 4 nights

COST: $1,745 per person, double occupancy; $2,385 per person, single occupancy

Learn about wolves, and other exciting wildlife, along Yellowstone’s famous northern range. Winter is prime time to view wolves in Yellowstone, and this package is designed to take advantage of this rare opportunity. A Yellowstone Forever field educator will share up-to-date information about Yellowstone wolf biology, behavior, and ecology throughout daily outings.

LOCATION: Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs

PROGRAM START DATES: December 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 31; January 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30; February 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27

PROGRAM LENGTH: 5 days, 5 nights

COST: $3,459 per person, double occupancy; $4,425 per person, single occupancy

Designed for those who want to explore the heart of Yellowstone’s winter wilderness, this program travels to the park’s interior. Visit iconic locations such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Old Faithful. Wildlife, history, ecology, and geology will be incorporated into daily activities.

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. PLEASE

WOLVES, DOGS, AND HUMANS

11/25–11/28

Joanna Lambert, PhD

$975.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

BIGHORN SHEEP

RUT: A FOCUSED PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

11/30–12/02

Kate Ochsman

$675.00

Gardiner, Montana

UNDERSTANDING

‘WOLF’

11/30–12/03

Joanna Lambert, PhD

$975.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

FIELD SEMINARS

CONNECTING TO WINTER THROUGH A PHOTOGRAPHER’S LENS

12/05–12/08

Kate Ochsman

$845.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

BIRDING IN WINTER WONDERLAND

12/12–12/14

Elena Ulev

$399.00

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE WINTER MASTER NATURALIST

12/17–12/22

Amanda Evans

$1,295.00

Gardiner, Montana

NEW YEAR’S IN LAMAR

12/29–01/01

George Bumann, MS

$1,200.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

PHOTOGRAPHING BIG SPACES: A WINTER WILDLIFE WORKSHOP

12/11–12/14

Kate Ochsman

$795.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

GOOD ANCESTORS: A WRITING WORKSHOP

12/17–12/21

Chris La Tray

$1,040.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

CHRISTMAS IN LAMAR

12/23–12/26

Sam Archibald, MEM

$1,050.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

WINTER WILDLIFE

PHOTOGRAPHY

01/03–01/06

Meg Sommers

$895.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

FIELD SEMINARS

THE EVOLVING YELLOWSTONE MODEL: THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF CONSERVATION

01/04–01/07

Mark Fiege, PhD

$615.00

Gardiner, Montana

YELLOWSTONE COMMUNITIES

AND KINSHIP: EXPLORING OUR PLACE IN THIS PLACE

01/08–01/11

Sam Archibald, MEM

$995.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

ICE AGE

YELLOWSTONE: TALES OF WINTER SURVIVAL AND EARLY HUMANS

01/13–01/16

Joanna Lambert, PhD

Jeff Reed, PhD

$1,200.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

THINKING LIKE A RAVEN

01/18–01/21

John Marzluff, PhD

Colleen Marzluff, MS

$1,200.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

ADVANCED WINTER WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

01/21–01/25

Meg Sommers

$895.00

Gardiner, Montana

SKIING UNDER YELLOWSTONE’S WOLF MOON

01/23–01/26

Amanda Evans

$1050.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

FIELD SEMINARS

INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS

01/28–01/31

George Bumann, MS

$1,225.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

YELLOWSTONE’S GALACTIC NIGHT SKY: A PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

02/09–02/11

Angela Tempo, MA

$625.00

Gardiner, Montana

STAR STORIES: DISCOVERING THE NIGHT SKY

02/02–02/02

Angela Tempo, MA

$50.00

Gardiner, Montana

LAMAR VALLEY WOLF WEEK SESSION 1

02/12–02/15

Sam Archibald, MEM

$2,095.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

LAMAR VALLEY WOLF WEEK SESSION 2

02/19–02/22

Amanda Evans

$2,095.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

YELLOWSTONE WINTERSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

02/23–02/25

Kevin League

$725.00

Gardiner, Montana

LAMAR VALLEY WOLF WEEK SESSION 3

02/26–02/29

Sam Archibald, MEM

$2,095.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

FIELD SEMINARS

LAMAR VALLEY

WOLF WEEK SESSION 4

03/04–03/07

Amanda Evans

$2,095.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

STAR STORIES: DISCOVERING THE NIGHT SKY

03/02–03/02

Angela Tempo, MA

$50.00

Gardiner, Montana

LAMAR VALLEY

WOLF WEEK SESSION 5

03/11–03/14

Sam Archibald, MEM

$2,095.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

LAMAR VALLEY

WOLF WEEK SESSION 6

03/18–03/21

Amanda Evans

$2,095.00

Lamar Buffalo Ranch

NPS / Jim Peaco

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Neal Herbert

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Addy Falgoust

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Neal Herbert

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Neal Herbert

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Neal Herbert

NPS / Peggy Olliff

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Dan Stahler

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jacob W. Frank

NPS / Jim Peaco

PHOTO CREDITS