Paradise Valley Conservation Leadership Initiative- Student Participant - Summer

2026 Paradise Valley Conservation Leadership Initiative — Student Participant

Final date to receive applications:
February 27, 2026. Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis.

This summer, Ecology Project International (EPI) is partnering with AMB West, Park County Environmental Council (PCEC), and Montana-local NGOs to kick off a conservation leadership program for high school students in Paradise Valley. This distinctive program integrates conservation-focused learning, ecological restoration projects, and immersive field research to build emerging leaders and community connections in Paradise Valley.

This thirteen‑day program invites high school students to step into the role of emerging conservation leaders while exploring the landscapes of Montana’s Paradise Valley and surrounding areas. Living at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch’s basecamp, students will immerse themselves in outdoor experiences, hands‑on stewardship work, and place‑based lessons in restoration and land management. Students will form meaningful connections with peers who share their enthusiasm for ecology and conservation.

The program will bring together a cohort of twelve students guided by two experienced instructors. Students will engage in collaborative, applied field studies with local partners that connect directly to ongoing initiatives in the region. From watershed restoration to rangeland ecology, students will gain exposure to real‑world conservation challenges and practice the field methods used to address them. Working in small groups, students will contribute to a partner‑driven project, analyze their findings, and ultimately present their work at a final showcase event.

Days will be spent outdoors and students will learn by getting their hands dirty as they support local conservation efforts. Instructors lead daily lessons that deepen students’ understanding, weaving together ecology, natural history, and leadership skill‑building.

Evenings at basecamp offer time to cook meals together, reflect on the day, and enjoy classic camp life. Students will sleep in provided cabins beneath Montana’s starry sky and spend unstructured time building friendships, sharing stories from the field, and learning from one another’s perspectives.

By the end of the program, students will have new skills, higher confidence, and a broader understanding of what it means to lead, collaborate, and care for their local ecosystems.

• A pre‑season Meet and Greet will take place a weekday evening mid‑May, date and location TBD.
• Program:
  Saturday, July 11 – Wednesday, July 22.
• Presentation:
  Thursday, July 23.

• Actively & enthusiastically participate in all program activities including team projects, community partner engagement opportunities, service work, and science education curriculum lessons.
• Conduct conservation service projects to aid ecological restoration efforts in Paradise Valley and surrounding areas. These projects are often physically strenuous.
• Assist community partners in gathering high‑quality data related to their projects.
• Present project results to local stakeholders, community members, and fellow students at the end‑of‑session Conservation Leadership Symposium.
• Contribute to a positive group culture, including helping with group responsibilities in camp like meal preparation, camp set‑up and maintenance, and vehicle loading/unloading.
• Abide by EPI’s Big Five:
  No tobacco, drugs, alcohol, coupling, or disruptive behavior.

Required:

• Must have completed freshman year of high school and not yet entered freshman year in college.
• Willingness to work and camp in inclement conditions including rain, heat, bugs, rough terrain.
• Understanding of methods of scientific inquiry, processes, and question formation.
• Desire to engage in conservation service work, research, and outdoor learning.
• Must be available to attend all of the following:
• Pre‑season Partner Meet and Greet in May.
• All field days for the duration of the program.
• Post‑season Project symposium on July 23.

• Outdoor experience including camping and hiking.
• Experience with conservation service.
• Field experience collecting…