Wildlife Biology
The Wildlife Biology Program is a joint program between the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, the Division of Biological Sciences and the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, a branch of the U.S. Geological Survey. The Wildlife Biology Program at UM is recognized as one of the premier programs in the world to seek a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree.
Points of Pride
- The Wildlife Biology Program is home to four fully endowed chairs: the Boone and Crockett Chair of Wildlife Conservation; the John J. Craighead Chair of Conservation; the James K. Ringelman Chair in Waterfowl Conservation; and the Siebel-Lewis Chair in Fisheries Science. These chairs enable the Wildlife Biology program to attract world-class professors who provide leadership and research excellence.
- Four of the program's emeritus faculty members have been presidents of The Wildlife Society, and four have won the prestigious Aldo Leopold Memorial Award. Faculty members consistently publish research in national journals and are recognized for their expertise in the field.
- Students have the distinct advantage of being able to observe wildlife populations within a few miles of campus.
- The Wildlife Biology Program is home to 13 faculty research labs, where students participate in hands-on research that spans diverse topics with global impacts.
UM Foundation Support
- Your gift to the Wildlife Biology Impact Fund allows us the flexibility to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, sponsor emergency scholarships for students with financial need and support the globally recognized research of our faculty.
- Gifts to undergraduate scholarships allow us to recruit top students, aiding our efforts to diversify our student body. Our world-class faculty, curriculum and location in Montana provide a powerful draw, but to recruit successfully, we must also offer competitive scholarships.
- Funding sources from governmental entities for graduate fellowships are decreasing nationwide. Private philanthropy is critical in filling the gap given the increasing demand for the work we do. The strength of our program depends on funds that support our graduate students’ education and research.
Treasure Montana: Cultivating Our Tomorrow
Private support of the “Treasure Montana: Cultivating Our Tomorrow” campaign will enhance the Wildlife Biology Program. Your gift to the UM Foundation supports construction of a new facility for the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation that will provide best-in-class facilities for research and innovation, premier student and faculty collaboration experience, and a critical gathering space for communities that extend well beyond campus — all within a structure featuring leading sustainable design and practices.
Learn more and donate at TreasureMontana.org.
Thank you for your gift.
Have a question about supporting the Wildlife Biology Program? Contact our team.