Student Clubs
Get involved, advance your career goals, and have fun being a part of the oldest and largest society for professional fisheries scientists in the world. The UM subunit of AFS is open to all UM students. UM AFS provides members with a way to learn more about local fisheries issues, make contacts with professionals, learn about current internships and job announcements, and get involved with local conservation efforts like river cleanup, restoration projects, and even a fishing trip or two.
Meetings: Every other Thursday at 6:00 pm in FOR 106
Faculty Advisor: Andrew Whiteley
President: Dalton Thunstrom
Vice President: Lars Rasmussen
Treasurer: Lauren Western
Education/Outreach Coordinator: Mason Wiggins
Email: umfisheries@gmail.com
The purpose of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers of the University of Montana is to promote engagement in and around: backcountry hunting and angling, the conservation of wilderness, backcountry, and public lands, the protection of fish and wildlife that rely on clean water and wilderness, and the public’s access to these recreational opportunities. The club will serve by creating a community bringing together students, faculty, and staff and providing an environment conducive for both veteran and novice backcountry hunters and anglers alike to learn and participate in club gatherings.
Meetings: Every other Monday at 6:00 pm in FOR 305
Faculty Advisors: Alan Townsend and Scott Ferrenberg
President: Claire McAtee (claire.mcatee@umontana.edu)
Facebook: Backcountry Hunters and Anglers: UM Club
The UM Student Association of Fire Ecology and Management (UM-SAFEM) connects students, faculty, and community members from diverse backgrounds with a network of fire peers, active fire managers, and fire ecologists. We provide an open forum on fire ecology and management that facilitates networking within the fire management community, providing career training and experience for students enrolled at UM and aiding ongoing fire research.
Faculty Advisor: Carl Seielstad
President: Koson Verkler
Vice President: Isaac Anderson
Treasurer: Isaac Anderson
Email: umsafem@gmail.com
Facebook: UM SAFEM
Instagram: @umontana_safe
Foresters’ Ball is a 104-year old tradition that was originally, and still is, a scholarship fundraiser for students who volunteer their time, regardless of their major or departmental affiliation.
Faculty Advisor: Beth Dodson
Chief Push: Emily Onderbeke
Publicity: Maggie Noriega
Safety: Jayden Peterson
Construction: Clint Reichert
Deconstruction: Shea Schuldt
Logistics: Heather Robertson
Treasurer: Sonny Capece
Email: forestersball@gmail.com
Facebook: Foresters' Ball
The University of Montana Forestry Club is a group of students, faculty and alumni whose goal is to come together and create opportunities for students to learn more about the Forestry Industry as well as get outside and be a part of hands-on learning. For incoming freshman and returning students alike, this is a welcoming but close knit community of students who come together every week with hopes to help each other succeed while still having fun. Students of all majors are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings and other events which we have throughout the school year, including the long standing University of Montana tradition of the Foresters Ball, which we help put on.
Meetings: Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm in FOR 206.
Faculty Advisor: John Goodburn
President: Esme Waldmann
Vice President: Jake Rybloom
Treasurer: Ryan Fleetwood
Reporter: Koson Verkler
Section 13 Manager: Gillian Shannon
Saw Boss: Richie Young
Chief Push: Jaiden Stansberry
Bull Cook: Robert DeSoto
Bull Cook: Nate Coston
Email: umforestryclub@gmail.com
Facebook: Forestry Club
Instagram: uofmforestryclub
The Montana Druids is an honors organization within the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. We work for the best interest of the College including, but not limited to: uniting the student body, promoting better relationships between the students within the school and its alumni, and assisting other student groups in their functions through silent, steady work and united effort.
The University of Montana Chapter of the Montana Trails, Recreation and Parks Association is a pre-professional organization for UM students pursuing a career in Parks, Tourism, and Recreation Management. We work to facilitate interaction between students and professionals and provide opportunities for students to gain real-world, hands-on experience while working with local, state, and national organizations that provide recreation services.
Meetings: Every Monday at 6:00 pm in CHCB 452
Faculty Advisor: Elizabeth Metcalf
Email: sc.mtrpa@gmail.com
Facebook: UMMTRPA
Our group is part of a nationally recognized society promoting the advancement of scientific forestry and all of its related aspects. We hold meetings that host academic speakers from the professional forestry world and participate in community events. Our group’s history is tied in with the University of Montana’s own W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation as the practice of forestry in America developed in this region; many prominent foresters have come from both UM as well as the SAF. We send student members to the national SAF convention. If you are interested in meetings, please email us to join the list to receive notifications about upcoming events.
Faculty Advisor: John Goodburn (john.goodburn@mso.umt.edu)
President: Samantha Westfahl
Treasurer: Alden Whitney
Email: umsafstudentchapter@gmail.com
Instagram: umsafstudentchapter
Grizhub: Society of American Foresters, Student Chapter
We are a student-led group in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana. We provide recreation opportunities to students of all majors at UM. Join us for hiking, backpacking, trips to state and national parks, and a variety of other fun activities! SRA has weekly meetings and trips every weekend.
Meetings: Tuesdays at 7:00 pm in the University Center Commons
Officers: Raegan Osentowski (raegan.osentowski@umconnent.umt.edu) and Will Larson (will.larson@umconnect.umt.edu)
Email: umstudentrecassociation@gmail.com
Instagram: @um_sra_
Griz Hub: Student Recreation Association
The UM Society for Ecological Restoration introduces students to the practice of ecological restoration, provides hands-on restoration experience, and provides students with opportunities to network with experts and enthusiasts. Our current projects and programs are:
- Assisting in the restoration of 200 ha of native Palouse prairie on Mt. Sentinel, directly east of the University campus
- Promoting the use of native gardening by establishing and maintaining an educational native plant garden that mimics the landscape of the Missoula Valley
- Hosting restoration events to provide opportunities for students to gain professional experience and to build relationships with diverse members of the restoration community
Faculty Advisor: Cara Nelson
President: Rachel DeRaymond
Treasurer: Travis Husa
Email: umt.restoration@umontana.edu
The Wildlife Society is an international, non-profit, scientific and educational organization comprised of professionals serving the resource management fields, especially wildlife ecology and management. The principle objectives of the Society are to: develop and promote responsible stewardship of wildlife resources and the environments upon which wildlife and humans depend; undertake an active role in preventing human-induced environmental degradation; increase awareness and appreciation of wildlife values; seek the highest standards of professionalism in all activities.
Meetings: Every other Tuesday starting 9/19/23 at 6:00 pm in FOR 106
President: Mattie Budine
Vice President: Brandon Quamme
Secretary: Eric Ray
Treasurer: Garrett Heath
Education & Outreach: Kevin Niehaus
Section 13: Vincent Gugliotti
Board Member / Undergraduate Mentor: Addie Wichman
Email: umwildlifesociety@gmail.com
Facebook: Wildlife Society Facebook page
The University of Montana Woodsman Team is a Co-Ed, competitive collegiate sports team that practices field forestry skills and emulates traditional logging techniques in a competitive format. With ties since 1981, the team has traveled across the country to battle against other timber sports teams for top spots in events like stock saw, underhand chop, crosscut, axe throwing, logrolling, and much more! Team members can participate in practices, fundraisers, team bonding events, and other various events throughout the year. No experience is needed and everyone with an interest in timber sports is encouraged to join our team! If you are interested in joining, contact our team captains below.
Meetings: Every Wednesday at 6:00 pm in Forestry 206
Team Captains: Brianna Kvinge (briannakvinge@gmail.com) and Henry Norwood (henry.norwood@umconnect.umt.edu)
Email: umwoodsmenteam@gmail.com
Facebook: UM Woodsman Team
Instagram: @Um.woodsmen