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THE PATH OF THE GREAT BEAR 

May 15-21, 2010Nature Conservancy Montana Pine Butte Guest Ranch grizzly bear natural history workshop

Overview:

This is one of our most exciting and fulfilling opportunities. Spring is a time when grizzlies are very active and we'll be taking daily field trips into the heart of the great bears' habitat.  We keep our groups small, so there's plenty of time to ask questions from our expert naturalist, Chuck Jonkel.  The field excursions will be supplemented with rich lectures and fascinating multi-media presentations. Besides being a perfect time to spot grizzlies, it's hard to beat the glories of springtime on the Rocky Mountain Front and some of the most magnificent wildlands left in the United States. Emphasis will be placed on first-hand learning in the field. You'll learn to recognize grizzly habitat, foods and signs of the bears' presence.  We'll also discuss the efforts to manage the needs of both bears and humans so that both can co-exist. This session is designed for adults of all ages and experience levels.

The field trips for this workshop involve traveling roads and trails into the beautiful, remote areas where grizzlies live. The Rocky Mountain Front of Montana and Alberta is home to North America’s last prairie grizzly bears, and our explorations will lead us into the diverse habitats of this ecosystem, including The Nature Conservancy’s sprawling Pine Butte Swamp Preserve. Our hikes are conducted at a pace designed to accommodate group needs. Frequent stops are made to discuss the local natural history and bears. Several of our walks will be in mountainous terrain, at elevations from 4,000-6,500 feet. Round-trip lengths of the hikes are usually between 2-7 miles.                                             

Montana grizzlies are intelligent and cautious animals, often sensing and avoiding people.  The odds are good and we'll do our best to sight and view wild bears respectfully, although we can't make any guarantees.

The Instructor:

Dr. Charles Jonkel is regarded as one of the world's preeminent authorities on bears. He has conducted research on Montana grizzlies for well over 25 years. Dr. Jonkel has also led extensive research projects on black and polar bears. He has spent thousands of hours in many parts of wild Montana studying and observing grizzly bears. In the field, Dr. Jonkel is a delight; a storehouse of information about the land and its wild inhabitants. His sense of humor, dedication to his work, and his expertise combine to make him an exceptional instructor.          

Enrollment and Cost:

This workshop is limited to 16 participants. Cost is $1800.00 per person. Price includes lodging, meals, airport shuttle, and all activities. Please contact Pine Butte Guest Ranch for more information.

Accommodations:

You’ll stay at the historic Pine Butte Guest Ranch, set in a spectacular mountain valley surrounded by thousands of acres of wilderness. It’s the perfect place to "get away from it all" and enjoy outstanding food and cozy lodging.

Learn more:
• Travel to the ranch
• What to bring

We look forward to hosting you at Pine Butte Guest Ranch!