One of the most unique experiences available to Glacier visitors is the chance to view an intact ecosystem full of wild and untamed animals. Glacier’s majestic megafauna are a special resource that we can never take for granted, and an intact ecosystem is not something that merely happens—it requires the tireless work of park biologists to protect the habitat and safety of these creatures.

This summer marked the triumphant return of the Piikuni Lands Service Corps (PLSC), on hiatus the last few years due to the pandemic. The program, which engages Blackfeet youth and young adults in paid conservation work, reached an important milestone this year: for the first time, the crew was fully led and managed by Blackfeet staff.

Glacier National Park’s archives contain a wealth of fascinating materials and valuable historic documents, but with no park museum to display historic artifacts, documents, and photos, few people laid eyes on these incredible resources. A major digitization effort in Glacier’s archives is changing that—and so far, the results are amazing!

Last minute gifts for the Glacier lover in your life!

A new internship program is introducing participants from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Park Service to career opportunities at Glacier. This was no typical internship: ACE, the American Conservation Experience, has an innovative and immersive new training program to kindle passion and curiosity for NPS careers and build critical career skills. The training program, called the NPS Academy, is hosted at Grand Teton National Park. In March, the cohort of interns spends a week at the Academy building skills and making connections that will serve their future careers.

We recently met up with our partners from Iron Shield Creative, Lailani Upham and Carrie Lynn Bear Chief by Two Medicine Lake to talk about their work, why they love Glacier, and how you can get involved.

Jillian McKenna, Glacier National Park’s Wilderness Data Steward, was presented the Wes Henry Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Award by NPS Director Chuck Sams in a ceremony this August in Washington DC.

“It was especially meaningful to receive this award from Director Sams,” McKenna shared, “Since he’s the first indigenous person to serve as National Park Service Director.”

People often enjoy spending time outdoors for peace and quiet, but rarely is the forest completely silent. Glacier National Park has over 260 bird species that you have the opportunity to hear when spending time in the dense forest areas. Because of the important roles they play in the environment, studying bird population trends is a top priority among conservation biologists.

One thing led to me coming out to Montana to work for the Conservancy and that was a road trip I took in 2021. Logan Pass wasn’t open yet so I was only able to go up to Avalanche Creek. I was immediately mesmerized by this place with the Swiss-like mountains, jade colored water, and villages that felt like home. I knew somehow, someway I’d find myself back here. When applying for summer positions I knew it had to be in Montana and I wanted it to be meaningful. I applied for the Conservancy and I feel so blessed that I was accepted for a position during the 2022 season!

For many people, social media has become an important part of the way they interact with national parks. From trying to find the right trail to hike, to sharing selfies with family and friends, social media can be a valuable tool for the digitally connected park visitor. But increasingly, social media is associated with dangerous and destructive behavior in parks. In a time when headlines abound of hikers jumping fences, disturbing wildlife, or damaging natural resources in pursuit of the perfect selfie, one may begin to wonder—can social media be used for good in our parks?

When I was a kid, I read a lot and spent just as much time outdoors. I attended a Waldorf school for my kindergarten and elementary school years, which cultivated an early appreciation for nature, adventure, and the relationships present in close-knit communities. As I grew older, I switched into the public school system and slowly lost some of that appreciation for the outdoors and that feeling of being a part of a larger, purposeful community. But, my interest in adventuring outdoors continued in my reading interests, as books such as Wild by Cheryl Strayed and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer captivated my interests and built a yearning within me to see the western parts of this country.

A brand new season of Glacier National Park’s podcast is projected to be released early 2023. GNPC sat down with the Headwaters team to get the inside scoop on season 3.

In my last semester year of college, I began reflecting on my past decisions and what I truly wanted to get out of the next few years of my life. The ultimate goal is to become a physician assistant (PA), but with my limited healthcare experience due to COVID-19, it was unlikely that I would get into PA school before 2024. Therefore, I had a decision to make: begin working in healthcare after graduation to gain experience or do something completely different for my last summer break. I chose the latter.

Major lakes and reservoirs across the country have been dealing with the drastic and alarming consequences of invasive mussel species, which wreak havoc on natural ecosystems and human infrastructure alike. But thanks to the diligent and industrious work of rangers and volunteers, invasive mussels have so far been kept out of Glacier National Park’s pristine waterways.

Former Redwood National Park deputy superintendent, Dave Roemer, started his new position as the superintendent at Glacier National Park in July 2022. The Glacier Conservancy caught up with Dave to learn about his new role and his goals for Glacier.

I have only been working at the Conservancy for a few weeks, but the experiences I have had and the memories I have made are going to stay with me for a lifetime. I have spent my entire life in Montana and have been to Glacier countless times, but getting the opportunity to experience the park with so many wonderful, like-minded people is an honor. One day, in particular, has outshined the rest – I got to go on a sunrise hike, do product photography, and go on a classic boat tour of Lake McDonald. This day happened to be the summer solstice, which seems to be very fitting as I walk into this new season of my life.

My seasonal adventure in Glacier National Park began quite suddenly. Within one week of graduating from the University of Florida, I was packing up my things and flying halfway across the country, far away from anything I had known before. Montana, and the western United States, were unfamiliar to me; this trip would be my first time in both Montana and Glacier National Park.