About the program.

The Conservation in the Classroom Program, spearheaded by the Bitterroot Water Partnership and Teller Wildlife Refuge, is a collaborative initiative designed to engage K-12 students in conservation and stewardship across the Bitterroot Valley. This program convenes local organizations, educators, and conservation experts to deliver consistent, science-based educational experiences centered on water, wildlife, lands, and other natural resources. By aligning conservation education with established Montana Content Standards and cross-discipline benchmarks and offering formal educators training and access to local resources, the program integrates conservation topics into both classroom and outdoor settings. The goal is to foster a deep appreciation for local nature, inspire lifelong environmental stewardship, and provide a cohesive, impactful educational experience for all students.


Program goals.

Enhance Conservation Education Exposure

Increase the quality, quantity, and frequency of K-12 conservation education focused on key local topics.

Foster Environmental Appreciation

Cultivate students' understanding and appreciation of the local environment.

Develop Local Stewards

Instill a stewardship ethic in students to encourage care for their local environment.

Offer Teacher Development

Provide professional development opportunities in conservation education for teachers.

Support Educators

Improve communication, coordination, and support among Bitterroot Valley educators for consistent conservation education.

Integrate Conservation Standards

Help schools align conservation education with Montana standards.

Create Place-Based Materials

Develop educational materials specific to Bitterroot Valley for classrooms and field experiences.

Build Stakeholder Partnerships

Strengthen partnerships with local conservation education stakeholders.