Wilderness Skills Trail

In 2010, the SBF will again be partnering with the Bitterroot National Forest to help teach the annual Wilderness Skills Trail program. For nearly 25 years the Bitterroot National Forest has been offering this program to 5th or 6th graders from all schools within the Bitterroot Valley as a spring field trip. The program annually reaches well over 450 students a year. Through the Wilderness Skills Trail Program, students in the Bitterroot Valley have a unique opportunity to discover that they live close to one of the larger wildland areas in United States. This field trip uses local resources to enhance local education opportunities. The Skills Trail takes place on a ¼ mile-long nature trail on the national forest. There are series of 15 educational stations along this trail at which students will stop to learn about wilderness and wildlands. Station topics include wilderness history and Leave No Trace (trip planning, choosing a campsite, respecting wildlife, cooking and campfires, proper waste disposal, filtering water, camping with horses etc). Students will learn the names of nearby wilderness areas and learn how they can enjoy these areas in a way that protects them for future use. Instruction is age-appropriate with cross-curricular opportunities using math, history and biological science.

Wilderness Research

The SBF is working with the Rocky Mountain Research Station and the Nez Perce National Forest to study the vulnerability of wilderness ecosystems to climate change. In 2010, the SBF will take the lead on collecting field data on climate patterns and tree genetics in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness for Dr. Sam Cushman of the Rocky Mountain Research Station. The data ultimately will be used to determine if wilderness areas respond differently than non-wilderness ecosystems to climate change.

Front-Country Program Support

The SBF is looking for volunteers who are interested in providing front-country logistical support for programs within the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. We are looking for help in the following areas:

• Shuttle Drivers: Project work in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness often requires arranging drop-offs or pick-ups at trailheads for staff. Some of these roads that access the trailheads are rough 4WD roads that require a reliable 4X4 vehicle. The SBF is looking for volunteers who would be willing to help out with trailhead shuttles in both Idaho and Montana. Occasionally, there may also be a need to pick-up or drop-off SBF interns at airports in Lewiston, Spokane or Missoula.

    Interested in becoming a shuttle driver? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.

• Grocery Shoppers: Believe it or not, this is constant logistical challenge for wilderness staff– getting the right food purchased and delivered to them during long stints in the backcountry. The SBF is looking for volunteers who would be willing to receive grocery lists from staff working in the wilderness, do the grocery shopping for them, and deliver the food to our packers (typically at wilderness trailheads) who will transport the food into the wilderness for delivery to the staff. Volunteer grocery shoppers will be reimbursed for all food purchases. This support is primarily needed for work on the Nez Perce National Forest.

    Interested in becoming a grocery shopper? Please contact info@selwaybitteroot.org.