Self Guided Field Trips and Stewardship Projects

TWR provides an ideal setting for hands-on, outdoor learning activities.  Through self-guided field trips, stewardship projects, and recreational opportunities, visitors of all ages engage in experiential learning that fosters outdoor knowledge and skills.  The Teller offers a variety of sites for field trips, workshops, and stewardship projects.  Visitors include schools, youth groups, the community, volunteers, universities, and TWR guests.  

Self Guided Field Trips at Teller Wildlife Refuge

• The Teller Wildlife Refuge is set up for teacher-initiated field trips.  We have three established field sites: Woodside, The Tent Camp, and Gird Creek Nature Trail, or trips may be scheduled in areas most suitable to your field topic. 

• Field trips can be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability, and are generally scheduled in the fall (September-October), winter (January-February), and spring (April-June).  We recommend contacting TWR well in advance to reserve a date, and visiting the site ahead of time to plan your learning day.

• Themes:  Our field sites are located in riparian areas and include ponds, streams, river, open fields and mixed riparian woodlands.  Teachers generally plan themes based on classroom studies to provide for an outdoor, hands-on extension of classroom learning. 

• Small Group, Hands-on Learning:  We recommend one class per trip to minimize the impact on the Refuge and to provide for a quality learning experience.  Occasional exceptions are made for special requests.

• Maps, Buses, First Aid, & Logistics:  TWR can provide a map and directions to field sites.  We suggest that the bus remain at the site.  If the bus must leave, we require a cell phone at the site.  All trips must be equipped with first aid kits and adequate field gear.  There is no drinking water available at field sites; some sites are equipped with outhouses.

Service Learning—Conservation Stewardship Projects

Teachers and youth group leaders can contact TWR to learn about participating in conservation stewardship projects on TWR.  Depending on time of year, ongoing Refuge projects, and group objectives, projects may include weed management, planting native plants, stream or wetland projects, and wildlife habitat projects.  We recommend contacting TWR well in advance if you are considering involvement in stewardship projects to assist with project planning, coordination, funding, volunteers, and professional resources.

For School and Youth Group Visitors:

Leaving a Minimal Impact on Teller Wildlife Refuge Lands

Hundreds of people visit Teller Wildlife Refuge each year for activities in conservation, education, and recreation.  We believe that the outdoor classroom is an excellent place for experiential learning.  To minimize your impact, we ask all visitors to practice responsible behavior and good stewardship during your visit.  Please reinforce the guidelines below with your students to insure a successful visit.  Responsible behavior and clear expectations provide for successful and fun learning days in the outdoors. 

• Naturalists use quiet, careful, and observant movements in the outdoors.  This increases the likelihood of seeing (and not disturbing) wildlife.  When you see wildlife, we ask you to minimize your disturbance by…
• Keeping a respectful distance from wildlife.  In the spring be especially aware of nesting birds, and other wildlife young, such as fawns. 
• Keep voices low when visiting natural areas
• Walk quietly and stay on trails when possible.  Save running for the school grounds or home.
• Clearly define the area and boundaries of your field site.  Assigning partners helps keep track of each participant.
• Please leave any “found” materials where they lie.  Hundreds of people visit the Teller each year, and we ask that everyone leave the natural parts of the ecosystem in place to help us maintain healthy wildlife habitat.  When you find something special, be sure to show it to others, and then leave it where you found it.  Remember that rocks and sticks belong on the ground.
• Please do not pick any live plants (unless you are removing weeds). 
• Leave “no trace” of your visit.  If you see trash, we appreciate you picking it up and packing it out.  Be especially careful with wrappers and food scraps during lunch or snacks—do not leave any “food for wildlife.”  Pack it in, pack it out.
• Weed seeds… Weeds are a growing concern in many natural areas in Montana, including Teller Wildlife Refuge.  If weed seeds hitch-hike a ride on your clothing, please put them in your trash bags, rather than throwing them on the ground.  We appreciate your help in reducing the spread of noxious weeds.
• Parking:  If you are driving onto the Refuge, park in designated parking areas.

We appreciate your efforts in reducing your impact while you visit!

Related Documents:

• Field Trip Request Form (PDF)
• Field Trip Information (PDF)
• Low Impact Guidelines (PDF)

For more information, contact Amy Monteith, Educator Coordinator at amy@tellerwildlife.org or call (406) 961-3507 to schedule an adventure in our outdoor classroom.