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Current Projects
Help fund critical projects and programs that preserve and protect Glacier.
Wilderness, Wildlife, and Wonder
By acting now, we can help ensure Glacier’s wilderness remains wild, wildlife is protected, and wonder will inspire future Glacier lovers.
Glacier Superintendent
David M. Roemer
“These projects tell the story of a dynamic partnership between the Conservancy and Glacier National Park that is making a real difference in our shared mission to protect this majestic landscape and vibrant ecosystem so that our kids and grandkids can experience it the same way we have.”
Wilderness
Investments in wilderness preservation resulting in improvements that benefit wildlife populations, natural and cultural resources, and the overall ecosystem.
Preservation of Native Plant Ecosystems
Funding Needed: $71,850
This project will monitor alpine and wetland rare plants, alpine vegetation communities, whitebark pine, and grassland species found within the park.
These studies will inform future conservation efforts to address climate change by revealing any trends in the populations of Glacier’s native plant species.
Whitebark Pine and Clark’s Nutcrackers
Funding Needed: $106,550
Without whitebark pine, the Clark’s nutcracker will not have enough food to support breeding efforts. Without Clark’s nutcracker, the whitebark pine has no way to disperse its seeds. The loss of whitebark pine to exotic blister rust threatens to push this relationship past the tipping point where both species would collapse.
By replanting specific whitebark pine trees that have been identified as naturally and genetically resistant to blister rust, Glacier’s Native Plant Restoration staff can restore healthy, functioning whitebark pine ecosystems.
Restoring Wilderness Character
Funding Needed: $106,100
A 2021 mapping project revealed areas where the undeveloped quality of Glacier’s wilderness character had been degraded by the installation and continued existence of non-recreational structures.
Glacier’s Wilderness Field Coordinator will collaborate with interns and volunteers, as well as both archeology and archives staff, to review, plan, and implement the removal and rehabilitation of threats to Glacier’s wilderness character.
Preserving Glacier’s Wilderness
Funding Needed: $168,000
Glacier’s wilderness has seen a dramatic increase in visitation that requires staff to preserve, protect, and educate on these resources.
This project will promote personal and professional growth for the wilderness unit’s seasonal workforce in areas of leadership, field experience, and career development, therefore incentivizing rangers to return to Glacier each summer and retain institutional knowledge.
Improving Recycling and Sustainability
Funding Needed: $58,000
This project will support a Sustainability Educator from the Montana Conservation Corps Big Sky Watershed Conservation Internship program who will work to identify areas of improvement in park operations, contribute to comprehensive public outreach programs, and seek partnership opportunities to further park sustainability efforts. In addition, funding will assist development of Glacier’s Climate Action Plan.
Conserving Native Fish Habitat
Funding Needed: $60,000
Dovetailing with bison reintroduction, a collaborative effort to restore aboriginal Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) populations east of the Continental Divide is underway.
This project will further determine the distribution and abundance of remaining genetically pure WCT populations on the landscape and identify areas for potential restoration and conservation actions. In addition, baseline data will be collected to inform biologists how bison reintroduction affects stream health.
Rebuild Granite Park Backcountry Cabin
Funding Needed: $70,000
This project will rebuild and expand the footprint of the Granite Park backcountry cabin that was destroyed by snow creep in 2018.
The cabin is used by trail crews, backcountry rangers, wildlife researchers, and maintenance crews. The absence of the cabin has greatly impacted operations in the area.
Preventing Catastrophic Mussel Infestation
Funding Needed: $80,000
It’s hard to overestimate what is at stake in preventing the introduction of invasive mussels into the park’s pristine waters and more broadly, to the ecosystem of the Columbia River Basin.
This project supports a robust public-private partnership that leverages state, federal, and private funds to keep the Columbia River Basin free of destructive invasive species.
Wildlife
Investments that preserve biodiversity, promote the abundance of wildlife and successfully defend against potential threats.
Improving Bear Management Capacity
Funding Needed: $75,000
Preserving and protecting Glacier’s bears while hosting millions of visitors annually has long been a challenge.
The Division of Science and Resources Management needs assistance building capacity in personnel, training, supplies, and equipment. This project seeks funding to help fill these capacity gaps and maintain a world-class bear management program.
MAPS: Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship
Funding Needed: $13,000
In total, 77 different bird species have been detected at the MAPS station since its beginning in 2020.
The MAPS station in Glacier was initiated in 2020 and continues thanks to donor support. During the breeding season, a team of biologists, interns, and volunteers collect essential data about birds over a period of ten days. The data goes into the USGS banded bird database so biologists can find where a bird was banded and vice versa.
Iinnii Initiative: Range Rider Program Support
Funding Needed: $20,000
This project supports the Blackfeet Nation’s Chief Mountain Range Rider Guardian Program which supports the continuing reintroduction of native bison on the landscape.
Funding for this project supports tribal efforts in leveraging other partners for the development of a long-term sustainable funding strategy, and also meeting the goals of the initial range rider program.
Protecting Glacier from Emerging Wildlife Diseases
Funding Needed: $95,320
This project allows Glacier to increase monitoring for chronic wasting disease and other highly infectious wildlife diseases in and adjacent to the park in cooperation with the State of Montana and the Blackfeet Nation while developing disease response plans to guide management actions in a systematic, planned approach.
Pikas and Climate Change
Funding Needed: $122,620
In addition to re-surveying 300 pika habitat patches, this project will help conduct cutting-edge genetic analyses.
Through these analyses, the park can better understand how pikas are responding to climate change and create a blueprint that highlights pika connectivity ‘hotspots’ for targeted conservation and management.
Preserving Glacier’s Native Trout
Funding Needed: $24,000
In partnership with Blackfeet Fish & Game, Glacier National Park is working to protect native Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) in Midvale Creek spanning the park and Blackfeet boundary.
Throughout this multi-year project, fisheries experts will use cutting edge genetic tools to selectively remove invasive fish and restore healthy WCT populations.
Bracing for White-nose Syndrome
Funding Needed: $30,000
Due to the rapid spread of White-nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats across Montana, it is anticipated that Glacier will see WNS within the park soon.
This project will increase monitoring and testing, implement disease response plans working in collaboration with federal, state, and tribal partners, assess changes in bat species and abundance, and increase public awareness of WNS and bats.
Conserving Waterbirds Using Cutting-Edge Science
Funding Needed: $73,000
Glacier lacks baseline data on most birds considered species of concern.
This project uses camera traps, environmental DNA (e-DNA), and ground surveys to gather critical data on Harlequin Ducks, Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Hooded Mergansers, and Great Blue Herons.
Wonder
Investments in curriculum-based education, interpretation, environmental science education, and community engagement that foster future park stewards.
Summer Youth Engagement
Funding Needed: $52,250
Each year, Glacier distributes over 20,000 Junior Ranger Activity Books and 15,000 badges to participating youth during the summer.
The Junior Ranger Program is the most popular youth engagement program in the National Park Service and is an important way to connect, inspire, and engage our future park stewards.
With donor support, the Glacier Conservancy will fund the thousands of Junior Ranger booklets and badges distributed. It’s one of the many ways your support helps children have a meaningful experience in Glacier National Park.
Community and Youth Outreach
Funding Needed: $44,028
This project will build park capacity for community and youth engagement, reaching underserved populations.
Funding will allow outreach to diverse audiences through educational programming and work projects, as well as give the volunteer office capacity to support programs such as the Native America Speaks Residency program, Artist-in-Residence Program and continued efforts to share programming and volunteer efforts between Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks.
Ranger-Led Education Programming
Funding Needed: $248,730
In one year Glacier can see up to 10,000 students.
This grant ensures that school groups enter the park for free and the park is able to provide ranger-led field trips, classroom visits, and distance learning programs. Funding will provide staffing, equipment, and supplies to ensure that school groups enter the park for free for educational, engaging, and fun field trips.
Cooperative Greenhouse at Blackfeet Community College
Funding Needed: $100,000
In an ongoing commitment to foster cooperative relationships with the Blackfeet Nation, this project provides opportunities for the park to directly assist and provide guidance based on its native plant propagation protocols.
Glacier’s Native Plant Restoration program will assist staff and students, all of whom are members of the tribal community, with the building of the greenhouse structure and seed collection procedures. The goal of this project is to propagate and grow native plants that are of cultural significance and species that are specifically beneficial for restoration efforts.
Piikuni Lands Service Corps Partnership
Funding Needed: $55,244
The Piikuni Lands Service Corps engages Blackfeet youth and young adults in paid summer programs where participants deepen their relationship to ancestral lands while developing essential job skills.
This program is a culturally engaged model guided by the Blackfeet community with intentionality around creating a structure that speaks directly to Blackfeet youth.
Trail of the Cedars Accessibility Improvements
Funding Needed: $22,000
This project will expand the accessibility of one of the most popular hikes in Glacier, the Trail of the Cedars.
Funding will allow for the reestablishment of a fully accessible spur trail from the easternmost handicapped parking area at the Avalanche Campground to the Trail of the Cedars Loop. The entire spur trail will be resurfaced by removing deteriorating asphalt and replacing it with StaLok, a natural decomposed granite and crushed stone paving material that is fully accessible.
Travel Grants for Field Trips
Funding Needed: $17,600
This project removes barriers and provides more access to field trips in the park through transportation grants to schools wishing to participate in ranger-led, curriculum-based programs or for service-learning projects.
Visitor Communication Support
Funding Needed: $130,000
This project supports communication efforts focused on development, implementation, and outreach regarding visitor trip planning.
Glacier Institute Course Scholarship for NPS Staff
Funding Needed: $4,000
This grant provides funding to allow park employees to receive valuable professional development and gain a greater understanding of the park.
STEAM Camp for Middle School Girls
Funding Needed: $13,800
This camp provides life-long skills in leadership, critical thinking, and problem solving for 12-15 year old girls.
Participants work on a variety of scientific topics including archaeology and scientific investigation.
Connecting to Park History
Funding Needed: $46,811
By adding capacity to the park’s archives team, this project helps to connect the public with unique park resources preserved in the museum and archives, both in person and virtually.
Native Plant Preservation Through Youth Engagement
Funding Needed: $89,375
This grant engages youth to get them involved in conservation with a specific focus on native plants.
These internships provide a hands-on opportunity while educating students on the importance of conservation of native species.
Native Languages on Signs and Interpretive Displays
Funding Needed: $50,000
In 2023, Glacier National Park, Department of the Interior, Blackfeet Nation, and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation began an initiative to preserve and acknowledge indigenous associations within the landscape.
This project continues efforts to restore authentic language on park signage and other media to enrich the visitor experience and encourage exploration, leading to more discovery and deeper appreciation for a sense of place.
Enhancing Climate Change Interpretation
Funding Needed: $58,000
The purpose of this project is to provide opportunities for visitors to learn about climate change, its impacts, and the innovative solutions being developed by both the park and the local community.
Funding will provide two interpretive park ranger staff dedicated to researching, developing, and presenting park-specific climate change ranger programs, drop-in programs, and roving opportunities aimed at the public in a variety of venues, locations, and formats.
School-to-Park Program Support
Funding Needed: $3,000
Through a partnership with the Columbia Falls High School, students learn building trades skills while constructing cabins for park employee housing.
This project will fund tool belts for kids participating in the program to use and take with them once they graduate.
Glacier Conservation Corps
Funding Needed: $114,542
The Glacier Conservation Corps brings youth to the park to be land stewards and contribute hours of service to assist with critical park projects including invasive weed control, trail maintenance, and citizen science data collection.
Interpreting Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Funding Needed: $23,700
This project will showcase the 1932 establishment of the first International Peace Park.
Collaborative interpretive programming at Goat Haunt, other areas of Glacier National Park, and Waterton Lakes National Park, provides a terrific opportunity to illustrate the many ways that the National Park Service and Parks Canada work together to protect and preserve the Crown of the Continent ecosystem beyond borders.
Headwaters Season Five
Funding Needed: $95,245
Headwaters, Glacier National Park’s own binge-worthy podcast, prepares visitors for a safe and enriching trip to Glacier while also interpreting the science and history of the park in new ways and with diverse voices.
Native America Speaks and Tribal Community Engagement
Funding Needed: $137,240
This program focuses on strengthening and sustaining relationships with local tribal communities, Glacier’s first peoples and original stewards.
Funding supports the award winning Native America Speaks program and other important aspects of the tribal engagement initiative.
Wheeler Property Preservation
Funding Needed: $122,000
This project will provide capstone funding for a multi-year, $750,000 project to restore the historic cabin.
The cabin will operate as the Waterton Glacier International Peace Center at Wheeler Cabin. The restored site will provide interpretation for park visitors about the rich history of the Wheeler story, will serve as a day-use center for leaders, academics, non-profits and other groups to gather to discuss important issues of the day, and provide a meaningful space for the park to host workshops promoting conservation through the use of the environmental peacebuilding framework.
Promoting Science Education for Park Visitors
Funding Needed: $88,000
This project will provide funding for a fourth season of the award-winning Glacier Science Video Series as well as development of an array of web-based products to promote science literacy and public understanding of park research.
Developing Visitor Use Management Strategies
Funding Needed: $141,770
Understanding how to preserve park resources and enhance visitor experiences through visitor use management is a central focus at Glacier.
This project will provide staff capacity, address data gaps, and support planning efforts.
Swiftcurrent Accessible Trail
Funding Needed: $107,000
This grant supports ongoing work to create a fully accessible loop around Swiftcurrent Lake and provide accessibility to the boat dock at Lake Josephine.
In 2024, this work will focus on the section of trail north of the boat dock working towards Grinnell Picnic Area.
Citizen Science: Engaging Diverse Visitors in Data Collection
Funding Needed: $170,000
The citizen science program will build on past successes to reach out to new and diverse groups to expand opportunities for citizen science engagement and refine tools for utilizing technology to increase the efficiency and accuracy of data collection.
Half the Park Happens After Dark
Funding Needed: $102,880
Support for this project helps the park maintain a long-term commitment to preserving dark skies by funding on-site astronomy volunteers and interns, astronomy education programs, astronomy events, and the operation of Glacier’s Dusty Star Observatory.
2024 Project Funding Needs Guide
2024 Project Map
Wonder
- Summer Youth Engagement
- Community and Youth Outreach
- Ranger-Led Education Programming
- Cooperative Greenhouse at Blackfeet Community College
- Native Plant Preservation Through Youth Engagement
- Native America Speaks and Tribal Community Engagement
- Piikuni Lands Service Corps Partnership
- Native Languages on Signs and Interpretive Displays
- Wheeler Property Preservation
- Trail of the Cedars Accessibility Improvements
- Enhancing Climate Change Interpretation
- Promoting Science Education for Park Visitors
- Travel Grants for Field Trips
- School-to-Park Program Support
- Developing Visitor Use Management Strategies
- Visitor Communication Support
- Glacier Conservation Corps
- Swiftcurrent Accessible Trail
- Glacier Institute Course Scholarships for NPS Staff
- Interpreting Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
- Citizen Science: Engaging Diverse Visitors in Data Collection
- STEAM Camp for Middle School Girls
- Headwaters Season Five
- Half the Park Happens After Dark
- Connecting to Park History
Wildlife
- Improving Bear Management Capacity
- MAPS: Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship
- Iinnii Initiative: Range Rider Program Support
- Protecting Glacier from Emerging Wildlife Diseases
- Preserving Glacier’s Native Trout
- Conserving Waterbirds Using Cutting-Edge Science
- Pikas and Climate Change
- Bracing for White-nose Syndrome
Wilderness
- Preservation of Native Plant Ecosystems
- Restoring Keystone Species: Whitebark Pine & Clark’s Nutcrackers
- Restoring Wilderness Character
- Preserving Glacier’s Wilderness
- Conserving Native Fish Habitat
- Preventing Catastrophic Mussel Infestation
- Improving Recycling and Sustainability
- Rebuild Granite Park Backcountry Cabin
PROJECT UPDATES
A Glimpse into the World of Harlequin Ducks
Biologists have documented declines and distribution shifts of harlequin ducks and other birds throughout their ranges.
Preserving an Icon: Monitoring Water Quality in Lake McDonald
For many visitors, Lake McDonald serves as a welcome to Glacier National Park – and what a welcome it is. At just over 10 miles long and 464 feet deep, Lake McDonald is both Glacier’s longest and deepest lake.
Protecting Native Fish in Glacier
Glacier National Park is well known for its stunning vistas, iconic megafauna, and pristine waters – but beneath the surface lies a hidden world locked in a perilous balance. Glacier is home to dwindling populations of westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout, which face the ever-looming threat of extirpation (local extinction) due, in large part, to competition with invasive species.
Photo: Mark Bryant
Sperry Chalet Complete
When the Sperry Chalet dormitory building was lost to the Sprague Fire in August 2017, the Glacier National Park Conservancy established the Sperry Action Fund to help restore the historic structure. Thanks to Sperry lovers around the world, the chalet reopened in the summer of 2020.
