Yellowstone National Park - Red Lodge Alumni College
Yellowstone National Park - Red Lodge Alumni College August 10-17, 2013
We are delighted to offer an opportunity for alumni to spend a week in the spectacular western USA with Professors Andrew de Wet and Christopher Williams learning about geology and ecology in Yellowstone National Park and the Beartooth Mountains of Montana. We will spend the first part of the week experiencing the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, by examining the geology and the ecology of the area. Using the Yellowstone Lake Lodge and Cabins as a base we will tour and learn about the world-renowned geologic features of the park (The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful to name a few). We will also study the ecology of the constantly changing Yellowstone ecosystem. From cyanobacteria to large predators, come learn about the flora, fauna and environments that make Yellowstone so unique. Mid-week, the group will move to the Red Lodge camp in the Beartooth Mountains for a more rustic experience. From here we will strike out into the Beartooth range to explore the glacially sculpted landforms, alpine environments and magnificent mountain scenery.
By day, you will join your faculty guides on hikes to explore and discuss different environments around Yellowstone Park and Red Lodge camp. Evenings will provide ample time to relax, explore on your own, or partake in-group discussion.
Plan to attend the Yellowstone National Park - Red Lodge Alumni College, bring your family, and soak up knowledge as well as the beauty of your surroundings. Yellowstone and the Beartooth Mountains are a wonderful place to unplug, discover, and enrich your soul. This unique experience will leave a life-long impression.
Make your reservation today! Red Lodge Alumni College Registration is limited to 20 participants.
The Faculty
Andrew de Wet and Christopher Williams teach in the Department of Earth and Environment at F&M. Andy teaches courses in geographic information systems, environmental geology and the geology of Mars. Chris teaches courses in global change and natural resources and environmental science.
Andy is interested in surface geological processes, especially comparing volcanic and fluvial processes on Earth and Mars. He has taught at the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association (YBRA) summer geology field course and recently participated on a student field trip to Yellowstone National Park as part of an F&M conservation biology course.
Chris has a broad interest in the natural world with a focus on plants and forest ecology. His research centers on the ecology of ancient forests and wetlands as well as climates of the past. Chris has conducted field excursions in Asia, the Canadian Arctic and most recently Alaska.
