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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    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. A person wearing a yellow jacket and red helmet kayaks through whitewater rapids in Glacier National Park, gripping a paddle as water splashes around them. Rocks are visible in the foreground, highlighting an adventurous field course experience. A bearded man wearing sunglasses, a light shirt, and red pants with suspenders stands on a rocky mountain in Glacier National Park with snowy peaks and a clear blue sky in the background. 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. Three people stand on a sandy beach near kayaks, smiling at the camera during their expedition. One kneels holding food, another holds a bag and spreads her arms, and the third stands with drinks. Bushes and a rocky hill are in the background.
    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 cyclists wearing helmets and sunglasses take a break on a grassy trail in a wide open field at Glacier National Park, with mountains in the distance under a clear blue sky. A group of people in colorful jackets stand and kneel together outdoors, smiling under a bright rainbow in a cloudy sky. Some hold plates of food, and a fence and houses are visible in the background.

    Before WRFI I had never been backpacking, therefore my growth from this program extends past the academics and into my personal and potentially professional life as well. I think WRFI was truly life-changing for me. Becoming so intimate with one region over an extended period of time is something not many individuals get to do. WRFI is so unique and brought me some of the coolest people I know into my life.

    Jessie Sullivan, Northern Michigan University