A group of smiling hikers pose outdoors in a forest, wearing backpacks and outdoor gear. They appear happy and ready for an adventure, with greenery and trees in the background.

WRFI's 30th Anniversary Celebration

Celebrating 30 years of field education

Register for 30th Events Give to WRFI

Phase One

$0
$100000
$100000

Phase Two

$0
$232000
$200000

Phase Three

$0
$300000
$250000

Dear alumni, friends, and supporters of WRFI–

 

Can you believe that WRFI is turning 30?!?

And we plan to celebrate – with you! Whether you are a former (or current) instructor, staff, board member, donor, alum, parent of an alum, or an avid WRFI supporter of another ilk, you are invited to join us.

We’ll gather in beautiful Missoula, Montana the weekend of July 26-28, 2024. Come for the weekend, stay for a week. Summer in Missoula is chock full of adventurous and fun things to do. On Saturday, July 27th, you can explore Missoula on your own and in the afternoon we’ll gather for a float of the Clark Fork River, ending at Silver Park for a WRFI-hosted BBQ from 4-8pm.  On Sunday, you’ll have the option of joining other WRFI folks on private guided whitewater or flat water rafting trips, fishing opportunities, a cycling tour of downtown, and suggestions for self-guided hikes and scenic drives near town. Our anniversary celebration will culminate on the evening of Sunday, July 28th with student presentations from Conservation Across Boundaries and a party with food, drinks, and celebration.  We can’t wait to see you here!

Click here to register for our in-person celebration!

Click here to learn more about lodging, the weekend itinerary, and opportunities to connect with the WRFI community!

WRFI is also celebrating with the first ever Campaign for WRFI!  During the summer of 2023 we kicked off the Campaign for WRFI: Celebrating 30 Years of Field Education by completing our first phase, which raised $100,000 in under six weeks.  Since then, we’re well on our way to completing Phase Two (raising another $200,000 to invest in key organizational infrastructure), and collecting pledges for Phase Three (continued investment in WRFI over the next five years).  We’re excited to have you join us in this campaign as well!

Not able to make it, but want to share your memories? Below, you can share a quick story or add a photo from your course!  We’d love to hear from you, see your favorite moments, and share them out at the 30th celebration events.

Looking forward to an amazing 30th year of WRFI,

 

Gail Gutsche                                                    Matt Baker-White                                           Christy McCann

Development Manager                                 Executive Director                                           Board President

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    Six people dressed in winter outdoor clothing stand close together with ski poles, posing for a photo in a snowy forested area of Yellowstone National Park. Trees and snow are visible in the background. Nine people stand side by side, smiling by a rocky riverside with trees and a bridge in the background at Glacier National Park. Most wear casual summer clothes and sunglasses, enjoying a sunny day during their Environmental Science field course. A person with short, curly hair and a blue backpack stands on a pebbly beach, gentle waves washing over their feet—reflecting on Environmental Science studies and field course experiences. A person paddles a kayak on calm water in Glacier National Park, moving away from the camera toward a distant, tree-covered shoreline under a hazy sky. Six people stand smiling in front of “McLuLu’s,” a rustic food stand with a sign reading Mucho Tacos Sold Aqui. The group, casually dressed, includes a woman in an apron. Their visit follows an adventure in Glacier National Park.
    Three men stand arm-in-arm on a sandy beach, smiling at the camera. Dressed in casual summer clothes, they enjoy the clear sky and ocean backdrop during their Environmental Science Study Away Program.
    A hiker wearing a backpack and hat stands in a desert landscape with shrubs and distant mountains under a clear blue sky, reminiscent of terrain explored during a Study Away Program.
    A group of eight people sit in a circle on lawn chairs in a grassy, wooded backyard, engaged in conversation. Sunlight filters through the trees, and notebooks and drinks are visible on small tables. A group of people stand on top of a rocky cliff in Glacier National Park under a clear sky, raising their arms in excitement. The sunlight casts a warm glow on the rocks and the group. A group of people lies in a circle on dry grass at Yellowstone National Park, looking at a map and discussing plans. Dressed in casual outdoor clothing and hats, they have notebooks and water bottles nearby. A group of cyclists wearing helmets and sunglasses pose with their loaded touring bikes on the side of a rural road under a sunny sky, embarking on an Environmental Science expedition through grassy fields and hills.

    As someone who has never been in the backcountry before this course, I can honestly say it is a life-changing experience. There's something about learning about the places you're surrounded by that can't be beat. WRFI provided the best course I've ever taken and I loved every minute of it!

    Kayla Behnke, University of Wisconsin-Madison