Connect With The Natural World Around You
Discover your passion for the environment at the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation! Join a community of like-minded students from around the world who are dedicated to making a difference. Here, you'll dive into hands-on, field-based learning that’s as adventurous as it is educational, with our outdoor classrooms stretching across the stunning landscapes of western Montana. Imagine studying under the open sky, in river valleys, and on mountain peaks.
#1
No. 1 wildlife biology program in North America based on research productivity (Academic Analytics, 2016).
97%
of our graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate school upon receiving their undergraduate diploma.
95%
of students enrolled at the College work or intern in natural resources professions while earning their degree.
Find Your Program
Our programs offer everything from wildlife biology and climate change studies to sustainable land management and spatial technologies. You'll receive one-on-one mentorship from world-renowned faculty who are leaders in their fields. By the time you graduate, you'll be ready to take on careers that make an impact on ecosystems and conservation efforts.
Whether you're passionate about forests, water conservation, recreation and tourism, or community planning, there's a place for you here. The University of Montana leverages its incredible natural surroundings to provide an immersive learning experience you won’t find anywhere else. So, come be a part of something bigger—become a leader in the fight for our planet’s future.
We're dedicated to advancing research and education for a sustainable world, while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. With over 30,000 acres of outdoor classrooms, you'll gain hands-on experience as vast and varied as nature itself. Whether you're passionate about preserving our planet or just curious about how nature works, we have the resources and expertise to help you make a real impact.
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Native American Natural Resource Program
The Native American Natural Resource Program supports Native students at the Franke College by providing services, resources and guidance to ensure a successful academic experience at UM.
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Lubrecht Forest
Lubrecht is a 21,432-acre forest located 30 miles northeast of Missoula in the Blackfoot River drainage, managed by the Franke College as an outdoor classroom for students and a recreational retreat for the public with ski and hiking trails, lodging, and conference services.
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Bandy Ranch
Bandy Ranch is a 3,596-acre working cattle ranch in Powell County, Montana, deeded to the University of Montana in 1990, where students gain hands-on experience in land management and wildlife biology through agricultural, rangeland, and timberland research.
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Wilderness Institute
The Wilderness Institute, housed within the Franke College, advances understanding of wilderness and wild lands stewardship through education, research, and service, offering students, agencies, and the public resources and tools for public lands conservation and management.
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Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research
The Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR) conducts statewide travel and recreation research in Montana, focusing on nonresident travel surveys, visitor characteristics, and annual estimates of nonresident visitation, spending, and economic contributions to the state's economy.
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Montana Climate Office
The Montana Climate Office provides high-quality climate, drought, and water resources information, manages the Montana Mesonet network of over 100 monitoring stations, and offers tools like the Montana Mesonet dashboard for analyzing weather, soil moisture, and snow data across the state.
Native American Natural Resource Program
The Native American Natural Resource Program supports Native students at the Franke College by providing services, resources and guidance to ensure a successful academic experience at UM.
Lubrecht Forest
Lubrecht is a 21,432-acre forest located 30 miles northeast of Missoula in the Blackfoot River drainage, managed by the Franke College as an outdoor classroom for students and a recreational retreat for the public with ski and hiking trails, lodging, and conference services.
Bandy Ranch
Bandy Ranch is a 3,596-acre working cattle ranch in Powell County, Montana, deeded to the University of Montana in 1990, where students gain hands-on experience in land management and wildlife biology through agricultural, rangeland, and timberland research.
Wilderness Institute
The Wilderness Institute, housed within the Franke College, advances understanding of wilderness and wild lands stewardship through education, research, and service, offering students, agencies, and the public resources and tools for public lands conservation and management.
Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research
The Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR) conducts statewide travel and recreation research in Montana, focusing on nonresident travel surveys, visitor characteristics, and annual estimates of nonresident visitation, spending, and economic contributions to the state's economy.
Montana Climate Office
The Montana Climate Office provides high-quality climate, drought, and water resources information, manages the Montana Mesonet network of over 100 monitoring stations, and offers tools like the Montana Mesonet dashboard for analyzing weather, soil moisture, and snow data across the state.
Events
Header Photo Credit: Mark Kreider