Big Sky Montana

Research Expedition & Internship

Expedition Dates:  June 13 - 20

overview

Big Sky is a gorgeous hidden gem of a mountain community located in southern Montana on the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park. The region is best known for welcoming visitors throughout the snowy Montana winters to embrace the challenging ski and snowboarding opportunities found throughout the groomed trails or backcountry hideaways. Global Treks is breaking ground by researching the endless opportunities the mountain landscapes offer long after the snow is gone. We are launching a select group of research asssistants to collect field data for an upcoming publication set for completion by the end of the year.

Project Goals

Our team is publishing a regional field guide highlighting the best trails and local culture for visitors trekking in the region. Abundant data is available for traversing the ski runs of Big Sky, but a detailed guide to the best hiking treks off the ski slopes is desperately needed for this wilderness wonderland. While collecting GIS data and all logistical information for each regional hot spot, we will also have researchers collecting data on the wildlife, plants, geography and travel considerations for all visitors. As in all Global Treks publications, chapters highlighting local culture and all environmental and sustainability information will be written to keep our readers as informed as possible in how to best honor and respect the local landscapes and citizens (furry or not).

How this Research expedition and internship works

• Based on your background and academic interests, we will help you narrow your project goals to a corresponding section of the research.

• You generate your contribution from field research collected while in Big Sky as well as follow up research conducted remotely from your home or university.

  1. You will conduct preliminary research from home during the weeks leading up to the field portion in order to prepare yourself and hit the ground running.

  2. For the field research you will have the opportunity to document what you find, interview locals, complete surveys, search through local resources, and gain first-hand knowledge on your subject and the location.

  3. Once the field portion is completed you will spend the remainder of your time working from home synthesizing the information you have found and organizing it into a section for the interactive guide.

• At the end of the research season all sections will be compiled into one final document and editing will begin in order to complete a clear and concise resource.

WHAT THIS INTERNSHIP OFFERS YOU

1. Contribute to the development of a Global Treks publication.

2. The opportunity to contribute to on-the-ground research, collect and synthesize data, and compose a cited research report while working alongside your peers. 

3. The opportunity to participate in and complete a collaborative project with fellow researchers.

4. Build your resume with unique job experience that will help set you apart from other candidates. 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

We work with each intern/researcher to set up an individualized topic of research. Working weekly with your Research Director, interns spend 10-15 hours per week for the first couple of weeks working remotely from home or school researching your assigned topic. Interns then spend 1 week conducting action research in Big Sky. It is during this time interns investigate their research topic and document the findings gathered through surveys, observations, interviews, literature reviews, and photographs to include in the publication. Each research team is made up of 8-10 researchers and 2 lead researchers/instructors. Interns spend approximately 10 hours per week for the 2 months following the field research, working with their research director to develop their contribution to the book. Our office team and editors provide assistance and feedback on each intern’s chapter content and grammar. Once the book and resources are published, contributing researchers names will appear on the inside front cover as well as in the back of the book with the team’s biographies and head shots.

Research Assistants we are looking for:

• GIS: record field data highlighting access points, trail facilities, trail route information, elevation gains/losses and points of interest. Maps will be created after the field data collection portion.

• Biology/Wildlife: data collected in the field highlighting the most common types of wildlife visitors can expect to see while visiting the area. A chapter will be developed highlighting the most common species and sharing any relevant cultural/unique characteristics of each species.

• Botany: data collected in the field highlighting the most common types of plants visitors can expect to see while visiting the area. A chapter will be developed highlighting the most common species and sharing any relevant cultural/unique characteristics of each species.

• Geography/Geology: chapter explaining the geologic history of the region including explanations of the main geographical features visitors experience while traversing the region.

• Environmental Specialists: data collected to highlight the local sustainability challenges and efforts in place which visitors should apply throughout their visit. Global Treks tries to educate all visitors on how to Leave No Trace and be informed trekkers honoring the local landscapes.

• Cultural Anthropology, History, Communications and Creative Writers: snapshot articles are to be written based on the local culture and history of Big Sky. These articles should highlight local sentiment on important environmental/political/social issues of today. The goal is to provide a wide range of information for visitors to better understand and respect the area according to the local community members that call Big Sky their home. In addition, given the unique impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are interested in providing a few components highlighting how the pandemic has impacted local culture (economically, socially, health-related, environmentally, etc.). Snapshots provide the cultural depth needed to bring the publication to life and extend the science into the lives of those living in the region.

• General Studies: a select team of personnel will be required to collect all logistical data and provide detailed information on travel considerations, navigation to/from points of interest, local tips/highlights, safety specifics and how to make the best of visiting the Big Sky region.

• Photography and Film: visual media specialists will provide all still-frame shots to be published in the publication. Short film sequences will be utilized in support of our corresponding partner universities as an educational outlet, future Global Treks applicants and as a more attainable resource for future visitors to the Big Sky region.

THE RESEARCH BASE

The research base will be a mountain cabin in Big Sky, Montana, in the heart of all the trails. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms will be shared (3-4 researchers per bedroom): women, men, and guides will be grouped in separate bedrooms. There will be a mix of shared queen beds and single bunk-beds. With respect to maintaining as much precautions in place as possible, a strict cleaning regimen will take place daily supported by each team member. There is plenty of space to bring a personal tent to camp if you wish to have your own space. Two vehicles will be used for group transport. 

COVID-19 Considerations:

The safety of our teams is the #1 priority in everything we do. With the pandemic far from over, we are moving forward with our upcoming expedition implementing the most current and up to date suggestions recommended by healthcare professionals. These policies will be updated on an ongoing basis and all interns will be notified consistently and promptly with any new information. To participate on any 2021 expedition with Global Treks, all members of the team will be expected to adhere and support all precautions implemented by our team in the field. The team will be expected to:

• monitor/record personal temperature twice each day (morning and night)

• wear facemasks when possible, but especially anytime the group meets in close quarters (car rides, group meetings indoors, etc) or at the discretion of the field instructors

• Assist with thorough daily cleaning procedures 

It is impossible to protect our teams without personal accountability. It is the expectation of each participant to be honest and withdraw from team participation if any flu-like symptoms arise or if symptoms have been experienced within 14 days prior to the expedition. Interns may be asked to return home to self-quarantine if symptoms arise in the field.

WHAT PAST INTERNS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE:

Adam Weaver   |  Patagonia

"I think this experience has been and will continue to be very beneficial for me because of the opportunity it has provided me to conduct independent research, work with various professionals, and receive constructive feedback on my work from highly intelligent and caring people."

Aimee Bone   |  University of Minnesota

"The expedition exceeded my goals in that it was beyond what I hoped for! I cannot say enough about what a life-changing experience it was. I wanted to have a short-term experience abroad, wanted to push myself past my comfort zone, and an opportunity to write for a publication is a dream come true since childhood."

Sarah Spaulding   |  Carson-Newman University

Through this internship I learned how to form effective interview questions, talk to people productively, think abstractly about broad subjects, appreciate people and culture, and embrace the incredible natural world we live in.

Where are they now?

GREG FARLEY

Greg was a researcher on the 2016 San Juan Islands expedition. He helped to build the GIS maps for the Naturalist Guide to the San Juan Islands. Greg now works as a Human Geographer and Geospatial Analyst for a federal agency.

KATHERINE KAVANAUGH

Katherine was a researcher on our 2017 Iceland Research Expedition. She helped to map out some of the first hiking trails of our Trail Guide project. Katherine currently works with NASA mapping climate change.

ADAM WEAVER

Adam was a researcher on one of our Iceland research teams with the responsibility to explore Iceland’s dynamic history and economy. Adam now works for Patagonia in California.

LAUREN CAINE

Lauren jumped into Iceland’s Search and Rescue Teams and the world of disaster relief. Following the expedition, Lauren is now working with FEMA helping with disaster relief management around the United States.

MOLLY MANN

Molly was a researcher on the Spanish Virgin Islands team utilizing her passion for creative writing to capture life on the archipelago. Molly now works with a publication company in Nashville and maintains a travel blog.

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER

Jackie was on our Apostle Islands research team. She researched and wrote about the history of the islands. Jackie now works with Global Treks as an editor as well as a writer for the White Bear Lake Newspaper.

GLOBAL TREKS AND ADVENTURES LLC PRIDES ITSELF IN FOLLOWING FEDERAL FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT FOR INTERNSHIPS. THE FOLLOW DESCRIBES THE PRIMARY BENEFICIARY OF THIS RELATIONSHIP:

1. Internships with Global Treks and Adventure are designed to provide real world training similar to that provided in an educational environment, including the clinical and other hands-on training provided by the intern’s educational institution. Our field research interns take the skill-sets they have learned in the classroom and apply them to real-world settings.

2. Internships with Global Treks and Adventure are designed to comport with the intern’s formal education program by integrating coursework or the receipt of academic credit.

3. Internships with Global Treks and Adventure are designed to accommodate the intern’s academic commitments by corresponding to the intern’s academic calendar. Field research opportunities correspond with academic breaks, taking advantage of the time available to travel to our field research locations.

4. Internships with Global Treks and Adventure are limited in duration for the purpose of providing the intern with beneficial learning.

5. Internships with Global Treks and Adventure are designed to ensure the intern’s individualized academic studies complement, rather than displace, the work of Global Treks and Adventure’s paid employees while providing significant educational benefits to the intern.

6. Interns participating in Global Treks and Adventure’s Internship Program expressly understand and agree that their participation therein is without entitlement to and/or any expectation of a paid job at the conclusion of their internship. While former interns have continued to work with Global Treks following their internship experience, Global Treks and Adventures disclaims any promise of a paid job at the conclusion of an internship, express or implied.

7. All internships with Global Treks and Adventure are unpaid with the intern expressly understanding and agreeing that they have no expectation of any monetary compensation. Global Treks and Adventures disclaims any promise of compensation, express or implied.