Paradise Valley Conservation Leadership Initiative- Student Participant Summer 2026

2026 Paradise Valley Conservation Leadership Initiative- Student Participant

Application deadline: February 27 2026

This summer Ecology Project International (EPI) is partnering with AMB West Park County Environmental Council (PCEC) and Montana-local NGOs to kick off a conservation leadership program for high school students in Paradise Valley. This distinctive program integrates conservation-focused learning ecological restoration projects and immersive field research to build emerging leaders and community connections in Paradise Valley.

Program Description

This thirteen-day program invites high school students to step into the role of emerging conservation leaders while exploring the landscapes of Montanas Paradise Valley and surrounding areas. Living at Mountain Sky Guest Ranchs basecamp students will immerse themselves in outdoor experiences hands-on stewardship work and place-based lessons in restoration and land management. Students will form meaningful connections with peers who share their enthusiasm for ecology and conservation.

The program will bring together a cohort of twelve students guided by two experienced instructors. Students will engage in collaborative applied field studies with local partners that connect directly to ongoing initiatives in the region. From watershed restoration to rangeland ecology students will gain exposure to real-world conservation challenges and practice the field methods used to address them. Working in small groups students will contribute to a partner-driven project analyze their findings and ultimately present their work at a final showcase event.

Days will be spent outdoors and students will learn by getting their hands dirty as they support local conservation efforts. Instructors lead daily lessons that deepen students understanding weaving together ecology natural history and leadership skill-building.

Evenings at basecamp offer time to cook meals together reflect on the day and enjoy classic camp life. Students will sleep in provided tents beneath Montanas starry sky and spend unstructured time building friendships sharing stories from the field and learning from one anothers perspectives.

By the end of the program students will have new skills higher confidence and a broader understanding of what it means to lead collaborate and care for their local ecosystems.

Dates:
The 2026 session is scheduled for 12 consecutive field days followed by a presentation day:

• A pre-season Meet and Greet will take place a weekday evening mid-May date and location TBD.
• Program: Saturday July 11- Wednesday July 22
• Presentation: Thursday July 23

Student Responsibilities:

• Actively & enthusiastically participate in all program activities including: team projects community partner engagement opportunities service work and science education curriculum lessons.
• Conduct conservation service projects to aid ecological restoration efforts in Paradise Valley and surrounding areas. These projects are often physically strenuous.
• Assist community partners in gathering high-quality data related to their projects.
• Present project results to local stakeholders community members and fellow students at end-of-session Conservation Leadership Symposium.
• Contribute to a positive group culture including helping with group responsibilities in camp like meal preparation camp set-up and maintenance and vehicle loading/unloading.
• Abide by EPIs Big Five: No tobacco drugs alcohol coupling or disruptive behavior.

Student Qualifications:

Required:

• Must have completed freshman year of high school and not yet entered freshman year in college;
• Willingness to work and camp in inclement conditions including rain heat bugs rough terrain;
• Understanding of methods of scientific inquiry processes and question formation;
• Desire to engage in conservation service work research and outdoor learning.
• Must be available to attend all of the following:
  • Pre-season Partner Meet and Greet in May
  • All field days for the duration of the program
  • Post-season Project symposium on July 23rd

Preferred:

• Outdoor experience including camping and hiking;
• Experience with conservation service;
• Field experience collecting and working with data.

Participant Benefits:

• Students will have the opportunity to gain up to three hours of college credit through University of Montana.
• Transportation fromEPIs Missoula Office OR PCECs Livingston office to Paradise Valley and Mountain Sky Guest Ranch at the start of programs.
• Students will be asked to bring their own sleeping bag and sleeping meals snacks transportation and additional necessary equipment are provided during program.

Expected Student Costs:

• There isno cost for application or enrollmentin this program (tuition $0).
• Students and families will be responsible for timely arrival to pre-season Meet and Greet program drop-off and pick-up and post-program project symposium. This may result in travel expenses like fuel and/or overnight accommodations near Livingston Montana for evenings before program or before symposium day for some students. Costs will vary depending on where they live relative to program locations.
• Students will be expected to pay the course registration costs if they opt to receive university credit.
• Please reach out if anticipated costs present a barrier for participation.
  

To Apply:

The application period will open Wednesday December 10th and close Friday February 27th. Students will be selected based on the quality of their online application responses participation in an in-person or virtual interview and availability to participate in the scheduled program session. Students are required to attend the pre-season meeting full session and the project presentation event.

About Ecology Project International:

Ecology Project International (EPI) is a non-profit education and conservation organization that offers experiential educational programs to students in a variety of outdoor settings. Students work alongside professional scientists on applied research projects and actively engage in conservation in national parks forests and reserves throughout the western hemisphere. For more information visit AMB West Basecamp:

AMB West Basecamp is a rustic no-cost retreat space on the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch provided by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for nonprofit organizations. Since 2015 groups have used Basecamp to design their own programswhether leadership trainings outdoor education or conservation workand to connect in a serene wilderness setting.

About Park County Environmental Council:

Park County Environmental Council (PCEC) is a grassroots nonprofit that works with local communities to protect the land water wildlife and people in the northern gateway to the Yellowstone National Park. Through community organizing land-use advocacy wildlife and habitat protection and environmental education it seeks to guide safeguarding of natural resources by empowering residents to meaningfully participate in conservation decisions.

Have questions about the program

Contact Carly Innis at .

Required Experience:

Junior IC