Education
Our education programs aim to strengthen the relationship between people and landscapes through placed-based experiences. We teach ecological literacy to people of all ages and backgrounds. We cultivate compassion and enthusiasm for the natural world in children, challenge young adults to understand the complexities of land and resource management, and provide adults with opportunities to engage with the place they live, work, and play in.
Our Programs
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College Field Programs
Earn college credits learning about natural resource conservation in our favorite outdoor classroom
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Wildlife Tracks & Sign
Interpret the tracks and signs left behind by wildlife (for fun, college credit, or certification)
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Montana Master Naturalist
Learn how to identify local flora and fauna in this certification course
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Youth Education
From wetland ecology to snow science, spark the curiosity in our future conservationists
FAQs
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Our education programs are based in the Swan Valley of northwest Montana. We are 90 miles northeast of Missoula and 90 miles southeast of Kalispell.
Before the start date of your program, you should receive communication from SVC about the meeting location of your program. If you are unsure of where your program is located, please contact (406) 754-3137.
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Wildlife in the West and the weeklong Wildlife Tracks and Sign classes require non-refundable deposits.
If a student must cancel due to sickness or other emergency, SVC will credit the deposit towards another program.
For all other programs:
A 100% refund can only be issued if your spot can be filled, minus a $25 per person processing fee. If your spot cannot be filled, 90% refunds can be issued for cancellations 60 days prior to the course date.
After 60 days, 50% of tuition can be refunded up to three weeks before the course start date. No refunds can be issued for cancellations less than three weeks before the start date or for no-shows.
If SVC cancels a course, all tuition paid, including deposits, will be refunded.
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Expect to be outside! A typical day with Swan Valley Connections generally begins with a short indoor presentation to cover foundational learning material. Then, we are often in the field for 4-7 hours. Come prepared with food, water, and clothing appropriate for the weather. Before your course begins, you should receive an email from the primary instructor with more information about what to expect. The strenuosity and activity level of our programs can vary.
Please read the program-specific expectations on their respective pages.
