We offer a variety of classes for all ages of students at the Preserve. Groups and schools can experience hands-on classes focusing on conservation, science, and outdoor education. Our 4,500 acre property includes an Outdoor Education Center to accommodate overnight stays and indoor classes. Aside from providing classes and field trips at the Preserve, we are available to bring our programming to your venue in southwest Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Interested in working with Jack Creek Preserve Foundation for your class, homeschool group, or organization? Please fill out the Educational Programming Interest Form below to provide information about your group and programming needs.
Learn more about the classes that we offer below. Each of these classes can be adapted to a range of ages/grades, timeframes, and may be taught both at the Preserve and off-site.
Environmental Science and Outdoor Education Courses
Hunting Conservation
Hunting is an important tool used in wildlife management and conservation. In our hunting conservation course students will play games that model how hunting is valuable in managing wildlife populations, engage in discussions related to hunting in culture and conservation, and ask questions to gain a better understanding on the role of hunting in conservation.
Recommended grade level: 3-12 Recommended Time: 45mins-1.5 hours
Water Ecology
From the water we drink to the fish we catch; water plays one of the most important roles in our lives. In this class, students will learn about our local watershed, and participate in hands-on water monitoring activities to examine biological, physical, and chemical properties of a body of water.
Recommended ages: K-12
Recommended time: 1-2 hrs
Wildlife Habitat and Landscapes
Understanding the role of landscapes and wildlife is essential to the story of conservation. In this course students will engage in games that model the importance of connected habitat for wildlife. This course pairs well with other subjects such as animal ecology, fire and forestry, interpretative hikes, and wildlife management.
Recommended Grade: K-12 Recommended Time: 30min-2hr
Montana Wildlife ID
In Montana we are lucky to be home to many species of mammals that bring people from all over the world to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This class will explore the attributes of different species from their fur down to their skulls. Students will also learn about the evidence different species leave on the landscape and how to identify animal tracks and scat in the wild.
Recommended ages: K-12
Recommended time: 30 min-1 hr
Wildlife Management and Conservation
Wildlife management and conservation are a major focus at Jack Creek Preserve Foundation. In this course students will learn about careers relating to wildlife, play games modeling the importance of wildlife management, and engage in discussions about the importance of this field.
Recommended Grade: 3rd-12 Recommended Time: 1-2 hours
Elk Ecology
Elk are an important game species in Montana, their conservation is an important part of the heritage of hunting and conservation in our state. In this class students will learn about the life cycle, habitat characteristics and biology of elk thanks to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s teacher trunk and curriculum.
Recommended ages: K-12
Recommended time: 1 hour
Fire & Forestry in Montana
In this course students will learn about forests in Montana and the history of fire and forest management in the Western United States. Students will study the succession of forests and how a functioning forest system supports wildlife. We will also get the chance to get outside and learn how scientists sample vegetation and measure trees to determine the health of a forest.
Recommended ages: K-12 Recommended time: 1 hour
Art and Nature
Art and nature go hand in hand. In this course students will learn to look at nature through an artistic lens. Students will have the opportunity to explore and embrace their creative side. This course can also be paired with an animal ecology option for specific animal related crafts!
Recommended Grade: K-12 Recommended Time: 1 hour
Wildlife Field Research Techniques
COMING SOON
Winter Ecology & Snow Tracking
In the Northern Rocky Mountains we are lucky to have many months of winter to play and study in. In this course, students will learn about the science of snow and how animals are adapted to brave Montana winters or why they head south for the season. Students will also get to familiarize themselves with how different animals move in the snow and how to read the tracks they leave behind.
Recommended ages: K-12
Recommended time: 1-2 hours
Interpretive Hike
Jack Creek Preserve sits on 4,500 acres so taking the time to explore is well worth it! This course allows visiting students the opportunity to move around the preserve while asking questions about their surroundings. Learn while you move!
Recommended Grade: K-12 Recommended Time: 1-2 hours
Birds, Fish, or Mammal Ecology
Is your class learning about birds, fish, or mammals? This is the perfect course to build on those topics! Let us know which of these animals you are interested in and we can deep dive (or fly or crawl) with you!
Recommended Grade: K-8th Recommended Time: 30min-1 hour
Owl Pellet Dissections
Owls very conveniently regurgitate fur, feathers, and bones from their prey into perfectly packaged pellets! Learn how to identify different species of rodents and their bones while dissecting owl pellets.
Recommended ages: K-12
Recommended time: 45 mins-1 hr
Science Inquiry
Nature can spark many curiosities! In this course students will work their way through the scientific method to answer a question they have about their surroundings. Collecting data, collaboration, and scientific thinking are all a part of this course.
Recommended Grade: 4-12 Recommended Time: 2-4 hours
Indigenous History and Culture
The Preserve is located on the ancestral homeland of the Salish, Kootenai, Kalispel, Shoshone-Bannock, Niitsitapi or Siksikaitsitapi Blackfoot, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla tribes. To tell the most complete story of this land we offer a course that incorporates and honors the Indigenous cultures connected to this area. In this course students will engage in a hands-on activity related to storytelling.
Recommended Grade: 3rd-8th Recommended Time: 1 hour
Intro to Compass Use and Navigation
When travelling in the wilderness we must rely on skills other than our iPhones to tell us how to get from point A to point B. This course will introduce students to basic compass skills as well as how to use landmarks and the stars to determine where you are located. Students will also learn how to read a map and use a compass to get to an exact location.
Recommended ages: 3rd-12th grade
Recommended time: 2hr+
Wildlife and People
In today’s world wildlife and people occupy the same places. This brings with it many challenges for both people and animals. In this course, students will engage in an activity that brings forth all the issues with making decisions in a world with both people and wildlife in mind.
Recommended Grade: 11-12 Recommended Time: 1-2 hours
Backcountry Preparedness
Would you know what to do if you were stranded overnight in the wilderness? This class teaches students how to plan ahead before going into the woods. From shelter building, how to stay safe in bear country, what to pack in your backpack, students will be introduced to important survival skills. Students will also learn skills in Leave No Trace principles of backcountry travel.
Recommended ages: K-12
Recommended time: Flexible
Wildlife Policy
Coming Soon
Wilderness First Aid Awareness
When we hike in the backcountry, it’s incredibly important for us to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances. This course includes lessons on basic first aid kit/survival gear, overviews of basic splinting, bleeding control and wound care.
Recommended ages: K-12
Recommended time: 1-2 hr
Custom Course
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Reach out to us about making a custom course for the topic and interest of your students!
Testimonials
“Thank you so much for hosting us at Jack Creek Preserve. This was the highlight of the trip for me! The games we played and the simulations we ran were so helpful to understanding the complicated ideas behind conversation. I especially loved the migration game! ”
“What a wonderful experience we had! Thank you for providing such beautiful and excellent accommodations, communication, programming, and space. We look forward to partnering with you in the future!”
“The students enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the ecology of the greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The animal tracking made them more aware of their surroundings which was very evident the next day when we went snow shoeing on our own and the students were pointing out tracks and signs repeatedly. The ability to stay at the facility and be in an environment where the students had to cook and clean, plus spend time in the outdoors is invaluable.”
