The Ucross High Plains Stewardship Initiative stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and all Black people and communities in the pursuit of justice and a world without police violence and all other forms of anti-Black racism. This movement is not a singular movement—it is part of a centuries-long history of Black resistance Read more about UHPSI Black Lives Matter Solidarity Statement and Reading List[…]
Please find our 2019 annual report below. We are incredibly grateful for all the partnerships and collaborations that have allowed UHPSI to provide over 65 students with experiential learning opportunities during 2019. Thank you to our students, partners, and supporters! Full PDF 2019 Annual Report here.
Funded Student Summer Experiences in Colorado Available for 2022!
Developing and Testing Long-term Ecological Monitoring Protocols for Land Practitioners in South-Central Colorado
POSITIONS ALL FILLED- APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED
Summer Experience Description
During the last year, our YSE team has collected field data at the ranch, studied ecological monitoring strategies, and drafted initial long-term monitoring protocols for the ranch. We are currently seeking Yale students to field test and implement these monitoring protocols at the ranch in Colorado during summer 2022. Student work this summer will directly contribute to our efforts to develop and test monitoring for the ranch and study important land management questions.
The monitoring protocols aim to answer key ecological questions about natural resources at the ranch to inform future land management decisions. Students will implement monitoring over a variety of areas on the ranch, which are likely to include riparian areas, sagebrush ares, and high-elevation forests.
Download the PDF below for more details and learn how to apply.
Big Sandy Lake, Wind River Range. Photo Credit: Carli Kierstead
A student-driven query involving research, an internship, or management project during the summer.
Ucross High Plains Stewardship Initiative at YSE provides fellows with a financial award, logistical assistance, and mentorship to aid with a summer experience that will have a high impact on conservation, stewardship, or management of natural resources in the Rocky Mountain or High Plains regions. This program supports Yale graduate and undergraduate students completing a summer work that will provide them with practical experience, leadership skills, and/or research experience that will prepare fellows for their future careers. A financial award of up to $8,000 will be granted to each fellow. Fellows will actively participate in peer mentoring with other fellows and will receive guidance from UHPSI staff during the summer.
How to Apply Please apply using the Yale Students Grant Database. More information about applications materials can be found in PDF below along with general fellowship expectations.
National Forest Foundation Seeking Applications for 2022 Conservation Connect Fellowship Program With Practicum
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) invites master’s and doctoral students to apply to the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program.
Conservation Connect Fellowships aim to build experience, knowledge, and skills within the next generation of collaborative and conservation leaders to support each other and advance the field. We are striving to build a cohort of emerging professionals will go on to do important work with communities and public lands in the future!
Do you want to match the knowledge you are acquiring through your academic work with practical, hands-on experience and contribute directly to collaborative stewardship of our National Forests?
Here’s what you will gain by being a Conservation Connect Fellow:
Applied experience with conservation programs and projects through a practicum project. For example, depending on the project, fellows may work with diverse stakeholders, support and facilitate collaborative efforts, coordinate and implement projects, conduct research to improve conservation programs, and develop training curricula and strategic communications;
Mentoring from skilled conservation professionals at the NFF and other nonprofit host organizations;
Trainings in collaborative conservation, facilitation practice, the roles of the National Environmental Policy Act and U.S. Forest Service, and other topics;
Real-world understanding of forest and public lands management; and
An expanded personal and professional network.
Fellowships include a summer 2022 or academic year 2022-2023 practicum, which may be at a specific location or virtual depending on the project. Fellows will be compensated at a rate of $18/hour for up to 360 hours over the one-year fellowship.
We were so excited to see several Western Research Fellows present their master’s thesis at the 34th Annual F&ES Research Day on April 20th, 2018. Research Day is an annual research conference for F&ES research Masters and Doctoral students to present original research to their peers and the public. To download the Research Day Program, Read more about Western Research Fellows present at F&ES Research Day 2018[…]
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” –Ethan Winter, New York Senior Program Manager for the Land Trust Alliance. Over the last weekend of October, I attended the annual Land Trust Alliance Rally in Denver. Besides soaking in the dry air I grew up in, I spent a whirlwind of a weekend, Read more about Further Reflections on RALLY! — Ben Williamson[…]
Anyone looking for injections of enthusiasm and creative ideas in the world of land conservation needs to head to the Land Trust Alliance annual Rally – better known as RALLY! The 2017 Rally convened at the Denver Convention Center from October 26th-28th for a weekend of workshops, presentations and connections. As someone relatively new to Read more about RALLY! — Jeff Conti[…]
In our recent stakeholder meeting, a few participants spent time discussing the application of season extension practices to enhance crop production in the region. These practices enable crops to be grown for a longer period of time each year, increasing overall yields and spreading out income-generating periods. In these regions, light is often blamed for Read more about Rethinking Greenhouse Construction[…]
UHPSI is concluding a short-term study looking at the changing demographics among farm and ranch operators across the state of Wyoming. Using agricultural records dating back to the 1920s, it has been possible to extract meaningful statistics on how these groups have changed over time. Here we show the change in the average age of Read more about Farmers and Ranchers are Getting Older[…]
If you’re looking for updates or news from before May of 2013, you’re out of luck. UHPSI was created in the spring of 2013. However, if you are simply looking for another way to view our news, you can also follow us on Facebook.
Happy Holidays from all of us at UHPSI! Many thanks to everyone at Ucross and throughout Wyoming for welcoming us and lending your support during our first 6 months!
Winter can come swiftly and without solid warning these days; Ucross was just hit by a fairly early snowstorm that brought a bit too much snow for some of the trees on the property to handle. Take a look at the view from the front porch of the Big Red Lane office. According to folks Read more about Early winter storm[…]
We woke up on our last day in Ucross to a September snowstorm! On our way to the airport with Mike Latham, we came upon two battling male pronghorn antelope! Unfazed by our presence, they fought for dominance just a couple dozen feet from us. Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion!