Yellowstone is the world’s first national park, established in 1872, and is a beloved American treasure. National parks like Yellowstone allow visitors to experience the wonders of the natural world up close and to observe unique geological features and incredible wildlife. Protected lands such as Yellowstone are rare resources that must balance the sometimes-conflicting interests of wildlife, tourism, and scientific research. More recently, the National Park Service has also been tasked with protecting these lands from the growing threats of fire and other climate-related disasters.

Our trip to Yellowstone will provide a unique experience that most visitors never have. We will be visiting the park in the winter and working with the Yellowstone Forever program, exploring the ecological and environmental effects of the reintroduction of wolves and how animals and the environment adapt to life in the park during the snowy winter months. During the day, we will learn by doing: hiking and snowshoeing in the park daily while making measurements and observations. On one of our final days, we will take an all-day hike to explore the effects of climate change on the park and its inhabitants, with a special focus on recent wildfires. Throughout the trip, we will continue to study how to preserve, conserve, and protect our shared natural resources.