At Montana WILD, we aim to support teachers in getting quality conservation education into classrooms. Together we can encourage students to learn about Montana’s fish and wildlife and become inspired to enjoy, value and conserve those natural resources. Check out the resources below including upcoming professional development opportunities, in-person and virtual field trips and more.
Schools and youth groups may visit Montana WILD and participate in a variety of conservation education programs, free of charge. All schools and groups are welcome to visit the center and explore the exhibit hall but Montana WILD only provides organized educational programs for 4th-12th grades. If you have students 3rd grade and younger, check out the "Growing up WILD " tab below.
If you wish to bring your school or youth group to Montana WILD, read the below program descriptions, then visit our calendar. Click “Make Reservation” and select the date and time you would like to visit the center. Make sure to include which programs you would like to participate in. A member of our staff will review the reservation request and will be in contact regarding a schedule, permission slips, and other details of your visit.
NOTE: If you want our staff to provide programs, please schedule your visit a minimum of 2 weeks ahead of time, otherwise we may not be able to accommodate.
Meet the Mammals
This program seeks to create an awareness of, and appreciation for, mammals that live in Montana and increase understanding about their habitat needs. During this activity students will learn about and present on different families of Montana mamamls. They will end the lesson with a game in which they will give and use clues such as diet, habitat, and physical features to identify mammals.
(One hour)
The Science Behind Wildlife Management
Students learn about the importance of science, math and technology in wildlife management, the crucial role the public plays in managing our state's fish and wildlife, and what it is like to be a wildlife or fish biologist. (45 minutes) (inside)
Fish Math- mark recapture survey
Students utilize team work, problem solving and math skills by participating in a mark recapture survey, where they take on the roles of fisheries biologist and determine how many fish live in a river. (45 minutes) (inside) (5th grade+)
Science Field Investigations
Students learn about the kinds of questions that guide field investigations and then conduct one of the following field investigations (45 minutes):
Ever wonder what the biggest fish in Montana is, the state fish or the rarest? During this fun interpretive talk, learn basic facts about Montana’s native & non-native fish species, their adaptations, and the unique ecosystems they depend upon. This program features replicas and parts from all sorts of fish species. (45 minutes)
Living With Wildlife
Required if using our Travel and Transportation Grant. Students learn about how they can help conserve Montana wildlife, minimize human-wildlife conflict, and safely recreate outdoors. Choose from bears, mountain lions, wolves or keeping wildlife wild. (45 minutes)
Keeping Wildlife Wild
Students learn about the difference between domestic and wild animals, orphaned and injured wildlife, wildlife safety, and the crucial role they play in keeping wildlife wild. (45 minutes)(inside).
Montana Wildlife Scavenger Hunt
Students study many species of wildlife that live in Montana through an interactive scavenger hunt in the exhibit hall. (45 minutes)
Raptors of Montana
Learn about the amazing raptor species that call Montana home. We will investigate what makes raptors unique from other types of birds and why they are so important to our ecosystems. You will also get a chance to meet live raptors from the Montana WILD Wildlife Rehabilitation Center! One program per visit. Program can be held for up to 75 students. (45 minutes)
Fish Dissection
Learn about and observe the external and internal anatomy of fish during this dissection. (Hour and a half to 2 hours needed for program) (5th grade and up).
Archery
Learn the fundamentals of archery. Archery coaches will walk you through the basics of how to shoot using a Mathews Genesis bow and Easton Arrows at the Montana Wild archery range.
Fishing
Try your luck off Spring Meadow Lake’s fishing dock. Instructors will review the basics of safely and effectively catching fish. (45 min.)
Taxidermy: Past and Present
This unique living history program explores the art and science of taxidermy past and present, and its role in wildlife education and preservation. Students have an opportunity to discuss and reflect upon diversity of wildlife values and will gain and appreciation for the challenges in wildlife management for all. (45 min.)
Reptiles and Amphibians
What exactly is the difference between reptiles and amphibians? How many turtle species are native to Montana? Which snake has a pointy snout perfect for digging up toads? In this talk we will dip our toes into the exciting world of herpetology and learn about the reptile and amphibian species that call Montana home. (45 min.)
Bats of Montana
Learn about the bat species that live in Montana, their adaptations, habitat requirements, and why we should all be glad to have them around. Lesson will be followed by 2 activities in which you will follow the migratory journey of bats and try to forage for insects! (45 min.)
Upcoming Project WILD Workshops -
All of these trainings include:
October 17 | 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Miles Community College, 2715 Dickinson St – Miles City, MT. More details here
Upcoming Growing up WILD Workshops -
Growing up WILD curriculum is written especially for early childhood educators of children ages 3-7.
For more information and to register, contact Ryan Schmaltz at 444-9946 or rschmaltz@mt.gov
Our literacy program is a science and conservation literacy program for middle and high school students. The program consists of literacy evaluation tools that pair with articles from FWP’s magazine, Montana Outdoors. The evaluations are created by Montana teachers, for Montana teachers and cover a huge range of natural science and conservation topics. Check out a full list of articles and eval tools here.
4th-12th grade classrooms can sign up for a virtual lesson with one of our experts on a variety of topics. Most programs can be catered to your class length (30 minutes to an hour) unless otherwise noted.
These programs are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from November 15th-March 15th. To sign up for a virtual program, email Jeanne Connolly with a preferred date, time and topic and we will get back to you will our availability.
Learn about the amazing raptor species that call Montana home and their importance to our ecosystems. Meet a live raptor!
We will send enough pellets for your whole class to dissect. Learn about owl pellets and what they can tell scientists about owl behavior and ecology. Also learn about owls and their adaptations and meet a live owl! You can then dissect the pellets as a class whenever works best for you.
Learn the basics of citizen science and birding and how to enter your birding observations into Montana eBird, an online database for bird observations! Also learn to identify some of the most common birds in Montana.
You can pick up a binocular trunk from your local FWP regional office or state park, then go and try out your new birding skills!
Test your knowledge of Montana’s wildlife species during this fun and engaging program! Three rounds of 5 questions. Questions will be pulled from our Wildlife Wednesday Playlist.
Teams will keep track of their own scores and we ask that teachers assist with this part. Please get the students set up with whiteboards, zoom chat, and whatever else you may need.
Ever wonder what the biggest fish in Montana is, the state fish or the rarest? Learn basic facts about Montana’s native & non-native fish species, and their unique adaptations during a fun interpretative talk featuring replicas and parts from all sorts of fish species.
Do you know how to avoid having a bear encounter? Have you ever wondered what to do if you do have one? Join us for a presentation covering the basics of bear biology, behavior, and skills for living in bear country. You'll learn about the foods bears eat, what they are doing at different times of the year, and how you can help keep them wild.
Learn about the Reptile and Amphibian species that call Montana home, and even meet some of these species!
Learn about the bat species that live in Montana, their adaptations, habitat requirements, and why we should all be glad to have them around.
We are now accepting applications for the 2024/25 school year. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 31st. Awarded funding can be utilized from August 2024 through June of 2025.
Montana WILD offers a transportation and lodging grant for Montana schools (4th-12th grades) to visit the Montana WILD Education Center and participate in a day of conservation education programs. The goal of this grant program is to assist “outlying” (50 plus miles from Helena) schools to come and learn at Montana WILD.