Volunteer Day
Jun
1
9:30 AM09:30

Volunteer Day

We need your help to get ready for our summer programs!

  • When: June 1, 9:30AM to 3:30PM

  • Where: Jack Creek Preserve Foundation’s Outdoor Education Center (Directions)

  • What: We will be setting up two 3D archery courses, an archery range, erecting 3 canvas tents, and getting the camp area ready.

  • What volunteers will need: Participants should wear sturdy shoes, field clothes that can get dirty, work gloves, water, sunscreen, hat, and you are welcome to bring your bows to stay and shoot after we set up the targets.

  • We will provide water, sandwiches, chips, and cookies for lunch!

NOTE: All volunteers must fill out an activities waiver before arriving to the Preserve. This is included in the RSVP Form. All drivers must fill out the road agreement to access the Preserve. This will be included in a confirmation email. 

Please RSVP by May 30th

View Event →
Wildflower Stroll 2024
Jul
13
3:00 PM15:00

Wildflower Stroll 2024

WILDFLOWER STROLL

Join Kevin and Kaye Suzuki on July 13, 2024, for a wildflower stroll at the Preserve. The walk will start at 3 PM from the Outdoor Education Center and will wrap up at 5 PM. Please note this walk focuses on plant identification and information, it is not a hike.

  • When: July 13, 2024, 3:00 PM to 5:00PM

  • Where: Jack Creek Preserve Foundation’s Outdoor Education Center (Directions)

  • Access: A road pass will be provided when you RSVP

  • What to bring: Participants should come ready with snacks, water, a field guide if available, and layers for all kinds of weather.

We are capping the wildflower stroll at 30 participants, please RSVP (by July 11) below so that we can save you a spot. At 6PM we will have a potluck dinner and at 7PM a Wildlife Speaker Series talk. You are welcome to stay for the evening!

Kevin Suzuki
View Event →
Wildlife Speaker Series: Wildlife, Montana, and Working Landscapes: From Research to Life Application
Jul
13
6:00 PM18:00

Wildlife Speaker Series: Wildlife, Montana, and Working Landscapes: From Research to Life Application

  • When: July 13, 2024

    • 6PM potluck dinner and Burnt Tree Brewing keg

      • Pulled pork sandwiches will be provided, please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert.

    • 7PM talk starts

  • What: Wildlife Speaker Series: Wildlife, Montana, and Working Landscapes: From Research to Life Application

  • Who: Dr. Jared Beaver, Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist for Montana State University

  • Where: At Jack Creek Preserve Foundation’s Outdoor Education Center. DIRECTIONS

  • Access: The GATE CODE WILL BE 071324#. Parking is limited, carpooling is strongly encouraged!

Join us July 13th at 6 PM for a Wildlife Speaker Series talk on Wildlife, Montana, and Working Landscapes: From Research to Life Application. Arrive at 6PM for a potluck dinner (we will provide pulled pork sandwiches) and we will have a keg, thanks to Burnt Tree Brewing!

At 7 PM we will welcome Dr. Jared Beaver, Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist for Montana State University who will cover various topics including the vital role of rural working lands for wildlife conservation; emerging technologies and wildlife conflict case uses; the importance of translating research into life applications; and wildlife management and your property.

The talk will start at 7 PM so please arrive a little early to grab a beer, some food, and snag a seat. The talk will last approximately 1 hour and there will be some time for questions.

About the Speaker:

Jared Beaver is an Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist for Montana State University. He strives to blend wildlife research with applied management by identifying conservation opportunities that have direct relevance for private landowners and wildlife biologists responsible for conserving and managing wildlife. Much of his work has focused on population ecology and habitat management of large mammals, with a particular interest in the utilization of emerging technologies for improving wildlife monitoring methodology, habitat management efforts, and wildlife-livestock conflict mitigation. However, his program is continually looking for ways to develop partnerships and gain additional insight into broad multifaceted questions pertaining to improving wildlife management and conservation efforts on working landscapes. He is also co-founder and co-host of the Working Wild University podcast immerses the listener in the action with the people and wildlife of the American West while exploring the challenges and success of sharing and managing working landscapes that support both people and wildlife.

 

We are excited to have Burnt Tree Brewing beer at our event! Thank you Burnt Tree for your support and contribution!

View Event →
Summer Wonders - Field Day
Jul
20
10:30 AM10:30

Summer Wonders - Field Day

Summer Wonders-Field Day
with Cedar Mathers-Winn

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!

Summer Wonders - Field Day
$30.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

DETAILS:

  • Date: July 20, 2024, 10:30AM to 3PM

  • Meet at Jack Creek Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center

  • Cost: $30 per person

  • For ages 12 and up

  • We will be hiking up to 2 miles and spending 2-3 hours outside

  • Bring your own lunch, water, snacks, and hiking gear

About the instructor, Cedar Mathers-Winn: Cedar is a naturalist, biologist, and educator based in Bozeman, MT. He has a Master’s degree in Ecology, and has studied animal behavior in deserts, rainforests, and mountains around the world. He has taught undergraduates, professional scientists, and the public in a great variety of topics in biology and natural history. His mission is to show how common subtleties of nature open up worlds of wildness – always there but hidden in plain sight. 

View Event →
Women's Wilderness Weekend
Aug
31
to Sep 2

Women's Wilderness Weekend

  • Jack Creek Preserve Foundation (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us for a weekend of camaraderie and fun outdoor experiences to help you gain confidence in the outdoors and be safe on your adventures!

Instructors Jillian Acosta, MPH, RN, Dr. Maura Davenport, MD, will be focusing instruction on First Aid Certification and outdoor first aid skills during the first two days. Beginning the second day, Alex Stokman with Venery and JCPF staff will expand on wilderness survival techniques through an introduction to hunting concepts, conservation and ethics, shelter building, and skill application scenarios. Outside of instruction time participants will have opportunities to build community and try new recreational activities like archery and fly casting. Below are some of the topics that will be covered:

  • First Aid Certification with an emphasis on backcountry skills

  • Backcountry preparedness and shelter building

  • Bear awareness

  • Navigation skills

  • Hunting basics, regulations, and access

  • Firearms safety

  • Wildlife identification and behavior

  • Conservation and ethics

  • Hiking - scouting, tracking, and glassing

  • Building confidence and community in the outdoors

  • Inspiration, fun, adventure!

The program will be held at the Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center and most activities will be outside. We welcome participants 18 and over and of all fitness levels; hikes will be shorter with training stations along the way.

We are capping the program at 24 people. Please submit the registration form and payment below to save your spot!

 
Women's Wilderness Weekend
$200.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:

Jillian Acosta, MPH, RN
Jill is a Registered Nurse who has worked in emergency medicine for over 15 years, in places as diverse as post-Katrina New Orleans, Sub-Saharan Africa, and rural Montana. She is currently working as a Flight Nurse for Life Flight Network and as an instructor for the American Heart Association. She loves to travel and spend time outdoors, no matter the season, and is passionate about helping women feel comfortable adventuring in the wilderness.

Dr. Maura Davenport, MD
Maura is a Family Medicine Physician who has been working in medicine for over 20 years in a variety of capacities including EMS and search and rescue. She is currently working at Madison Valley Medical Center as a full spectrum family medicine doctor, chief of staff and medical director for the Madison Valley Ambulance Service. Her love of wilderness medicine combines her passion for medicine and love of the outdoors. Maura’s goal is to share her knowledge and skills with as many people as possible to ensure that people are safe and confident as they venture into the great outdoors.

Alex Stokman Founder of Venery
Alex is a Montana Master Hunter, an Artemis Ambassador for Montana, and a dedicated FWP Hunter Safety Instructor and Range Safety Officer. But Alex is more than just accolades; she's a mother of three who understands the importance of time for herself. For Alex, hunting is both a personal journey and a way to provide for her family. She values harvesting food from nature, from berries to deer and elk, finding deep satisfaction in nourishing her loved ones while minimizing waste. Alex's love for hunting goes beyond sustenance; it's about connecting with the Earth, embracing the elements, and rejuvenating her spirit.

Through Venery, Alex and her team empower women by teaching them the art, sport, and ethics of hunting. They create a welcoming community where women mentor and learn from each other, fostering self-reliance and sustainability. Together, they make hunting a powerful way to bring people closer and promote conservation.

You can learn about JCPF staff here: STAFF — Jack Creek Preserve Foundation

View Event →
Fall Wonders - Field Day
Oct
5
10:30 AM10:30

Fall Wonders - Field Day

Fall Wonders - Field Day
with Cedar Mathers-Winn

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!

Fall Wonders - Field Day
$30.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

DETAILS:

  • Date: October 5, 2024, 10:30AM to 3PM

  • Meet at Jack Creek Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center

  • Cost: $30 per person

  • For ages 12 and up

  • We will be hiking up to 2 miles and spending 2-3 hours outside

  • Bring your own lunch, water, snacks, and hiking gear

About the instructor, Cedar Mathers-Winn: Cedar is a naturalist, biologist, and educator based in Bozeman, MT. He has a Master’s degree in Ecology, and has studied animal behavior in deserts, rainforests, and mountains around the world. He has taught undergraduates, professional scientists, and the public in a great variety of topics in biology and natural history. His mission is to show how common subtleties of nature open up worlds of wildness – always there but hidden in plain sight. 

View Event →
Winter Wonders - Field Day
Mar
16
10:30 AM10:30

Winter Wonders - Field Day

Winter Wonders - Field Day
with Cedar Mathers-Winn

  • What's actually happening during hibernation

  • How animals eat in a time of scarcity

  • How being social helps animals survive

  • The world under the snow!

The northern winter presents a challenge to all living things that call this place home. A persistent snowpack, punishing cold, and shorter days each provide challenges, but also opportunities. In this class, we will explore the surprising and fascinating ways our local plants and animals have adapted to survive, and even thrive, in this unforgiving time of year.

Winter Wonders - Field Day
$30.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

DETAILS:

  • Date: March 16, 2024, 10:30AM to 3PM

  • Meet at Jack Creek Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center

  • Cost: $30 per person

  • For ages 12 and up

  • We will be snowshoeing up to 2 miles and spending 2-3 hours outside in winter conditions

  • Bring your own lunch, water, snacks, and winter gear

  • Snowshoes will be provided, or you can bring your own

  • We are capping the event at 16 people, please register and pay to save your spot!

About the instructor, Cedar Mathers-Winn: Cedar is a naturalist, biologist, and educator based in Bozeman, MT. He has a Master’s degree in Ecology, and has studied animal behavior in deserts, rainforests, and mountains around the world. He has taught undergraduates, professional scientists, and the public in a great variety of topics in biology and natural history. His mission is to show how common subtleties of nature open up worlds of wildness – always there but hidden in plain sight. 

Photo credit: Christy Howard, Cedar Mathers-Winn, and Abi King

View Event →
Wildlife Tracking in a Winter Wonderland - Class is Full!
Feb
24
11:00 AM11:00

Wildlife Tracking in a Winter Wonderland - Class is Full!

  • Jack Creek Preserve Foundation (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Wildlife Tracking in a winter wonderland

with Cedar Mathers-Winn

The world is a canvas, and animals track, chew, dig, and defecate their stories upon it daily. In this class, we will learn to identify tracks and other animal sign, and to interpret the behavior and even the mindset of the animals who have been there. We will start with an hour-long lecture on tracks and trails, then spend the rest of the session on snowshoes, exploring sign in the field. Dress warm, and come curious!

DETAILS:

  • Date: February 24, 2024, 11AM to 3PM

  • Meet at Jack Creek Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center

  • Cost: $30 per person

  • For ages 12 and up

  • We will be snowshoeing approximately 2 miles and spending 2-3 hours outside in winter conditions

  • Bring your own lunch, water, snacks, and winter gear

  • Snowshoes will be provided, or you can bring your own

  • We are capping the event at 16 people, please register and pay to save your spot!

BOTH 1/10 AND 1/24 WINTER WILDLIFE tRACKING CLASSES ARE FULL. pLEASE CHECK BACK FOR OTHER EVENTS!

About the instructor, Cedar Mathers-Winn: Cedar is a naturalist, biologist, and educator based in Bozeman, MT. He has a Master’s degree in Ecology, and has studied animal behavior in deserts, rainforests, and mountains around the world. He has taught undergraduates, professional scientists, and the public in a great variety of topics in biology and natural history. His mission is to show how common subtleties of nature open up worlds of wildness – always there but hidden in plain sight. 

View Event →
Stargazing at the Preserve
Oct
6
to Oct 7

Stargazing at the Preserve

  • Jack Creek Preserve Foundation (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

RESCHEDULED TO OCTOBER 6-7!

Stargazing at the Preserve with dr. Samuel Singer from Wyoming Stargazing

Photos Courtesy of Wyoming Stargazing

Wyoming Stargazing makes the Universe come alive! A nonprofit organization based in Jackson, Wyoming Stargazing excels at making the often difficult to understand concepts of astronomy accessible to everyone.

Thanks to a generous donation from Board Member, Scott Fossel, we are excited to host Dr. Samuel Singer for our very own stargazing evening at the Preserve October 6-7! Participants will have the opportunity to be educated and inspired through Montana's extraordinary skies and the Universe beyond. We will observe planets, stars, nebulae, galaxies, and more through a large aperture telescope. During the day, sun spots, granules, prominences, and filaments can be observed through solar telescopes.

You’ll leave the program with a new understanding of the Universe and a sense of how you are connected to everything in the Cosmos.

DETAILS:

  • Dates: October 6-7, 2023 (Arrive between 3PM and 5PM on 10/6, depart by 12PM on 10/7)

  • Rustic lodging at Jack Creek Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center and you are welcome to bring your own camping equipment.

  • All ages are welcome.

  • Cost: $75 per person.

  • Meals provided (dinner and breakfast).

  • We are capping the event at 24 people, please register and pay below to save your spot!

Please register and Process Payment Below:

Stargazing at the Preserve
$75.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

Learn more about the instructor, Samuel Singer:

Dr. Samuel Singer, PhD Science Education

Samuel grew up exploring the high desert in Yerington, Nevada, which is where he first fell in love with the night sky. Study for a B.A. in Physics and Astronomy took him to Hampshire College in Amherst Massachusetts. Samuel built a couple Dobsonian telescopes and helped to establish a small observatory at Hampshire College as part of his bachelor’s degree. While at Hampshire, the deciduous forests of the east coast, led Samuel to discover his love for outdoor science education. He earned a Masters in Natural Science–Environment and Natural Resources by way of the Teton Science Schools and the University of Wyoming. Samuel built a second small observatory for the Teton Science Schools in Jackson Hole during his masters program. He has been recognized by NASA as a volunteer Solar System Ambassador, as well as by the IGES and NASA in their Top Stars program for an astronomy lesson plan he wrote.

In 2013, Samuel completed his doctorate degree in Science Education from the University of Wyoming. His dissertation research focused on spirituality in outdoor environmental education. After wrapping up his dissertation he founded Wyoming Stargazing as a way to further his passion for helping others explore the Universe.

View Event →
Women's Wilderness Weekend
Aug
26
to Aug 27

Women's Wilderness Weekend

  • Jack Creek Preserve Foundation (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us for a weekend of camaraderie and fun outdoor experiences to help you gain confidence in the outdoors and be safe on your adventures!

Lead instructors, Jillian Acosta, MPH, RN, and Dr. Maura Davenport, MD, will be focusing instruction on First Aid Certification and backcountry first aid skills. JCPF staff will also provide training in outdoor education. Below are some of the topics that will be covered:

  • First Aid Certification

  • Backcountry first aid skills

  • Backcountry preparedness

  • Bear awareness

  • Mapping/orienteering

  • Leave No Trace principles

  • Build confidence in the outdoors

  • Inspiration, fun, adventure!

The program will be held at the Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center and most activities will be outside. We welcome participants 18 and over and of all fitness levels; hikes will be shorter with training stations along the way.

We are capping the program at 20 people. Please submit the registration/payment form below to save your spot!

Women's Wilderness Weekend
$200.00
Quantity:
Add To Cart

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS:

Jillian Acosta, MPH, RN
Jill is a Registered Nurse who has worked in emergency medicine for over 15 years, in places as diverse as post-Katrina New Orleans, Sub-Saharan Africa, and rural Montana. She is currently working as a Flight Nurse for Life Flight Network and as an instructor for the American Heart Association. She loves to travel and spend time outdoors, no matter the season, and is passionate about helping women feel comfortable adventuring in the wilderness.

Dr. Maura Davenport, MD
Maura is a Family Medicine Physician who has been working in medicine for over 20 years in a variety of capacities including EMS and search and rescue. She is currently working at Madison Valley Medical Center as a full spectrum family medicine doctor, chief of staff and medical director for the Madison Valley Ambulance Service. Her love of wilderness medicine combines her passion for medicine and love of the outdoors. Maura’s goal is to share her knowledge and skills with as many people as possible to ensure that people are safe and confident as they venture into the great outdoors.

You can learn about JCPF staff here: STAFF — Jack Creek Preserve Foundation

View Event →
Open Archery Day - 3D Course
Aug
19
9:00 AM09:00

Open Archery Day - 3D Course

Join us on August 19th from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM for an open archery day at our 16 station 3D archery course!

When: Saturday, August 19, 2023, 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Where: Jack Creek Preserve Foundation’s Outdoor Education Center (Directions)
What: All levels of archers are welcome! This will be just a fun shoot without training, instruction, or competition. Participants must bring their own bows and arrows. Restrooms are available. Participants should bring water, sunscreen, a hat, and bear spray. You are welcome to pack a lunch and make a day out of it, if you wish!

Please RSVP and submit the following 2 online forms:

ACTIVITIES WAIVER All volunteers must fill out an activities waiver before arriving to the Preserve.

ROAD AGREEMENT All drivers must fill out the road agreement to receive a road pass to access the Preserve.

Scroll down to RSVP. Following your RSVP, we will confirm your attendance. Thank you!!

RSVP by 10AM, August 18

View Event →
Jacob Zimmerer (Rooted Lifeways) Plant Identification & Foraging Walk - REGISTRATION CLOSED
Jul
13
6:00 PM18:00

Jacob Zimmerer (Rooted Lifeways) Plant Identification & Foraging Walk - REGISTRATION CLOSED

THIS EVENT IS FULL, PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR FUTURE EVENTS!

Jacob Zimmerer, a PhD student from Montana State University will host a plant identification and foraging walk at the Preserve’s Outdoor Education Center on July 13, 2023, beginning at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP using the form below, we will reply via email to confirm your spot and will send you access and driving directions.

“The mission of Rooted Lifeways is to provide decolonial education that helps people develop place-based, reciprocal, and balanced relationships. We believe practices such as hunting, scavenging, fishing, foraging, gardening, seed-saving, cooking, hide tanning, and earth-building can teach us all about how to live as better relatives within the web of relations.”

There is a $10 fee and we are capping the plant walk at 20 participants. Please RSVP (by July 11) below so that we can save you a spot and send you access and driving directions.

View Event →
Wildlife Speaker Series: Ospreys
Jul
8
6:00 PM18:00

Wildlife Speaker Series: Ospreys

Monitoring the Distribution and Reproductive Success of Ospreys along the Yellowstone River: A Volunteer Effort

Join us July 8th at 6 PM for a Wildlife Speaker Series talk on Ospreys. We will have beer thanks to Burnt Tree Brewing and light snacks.

At 7 PM we will welcome Dr. Marco Restani who coordinates the research component of the Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society (YVAS) Osprey Nest Monitoring Project. He is a Biologist at NorthWestern Energy where he leads the company’s Avian Protection Program. Prior to returning to Montana, he was Professor of Wildlife Ecology at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

The talk will start at 7 PM so please arrive a little early to grab a beer, some snacks, and snag a seat. The talk will last approximately 1 hour and there will be some time for questions.

The Moonlight gates will be open on both the Ennis and Big Sky sides for this event. Parking is limited, carpooling is strongly encouraged!

Directions to Jack Creek Preserve
(Google Maps/Apple Maps will not bring you to the correct location.)

 

We are excited to have Burnt Tree Brewing beer at our event! Thank you Burnt Tree for your support and contribution!

View Event →
Family Fun Day!
Jun
28
10:00 AM10:00

Family Fun Day!

Parents and kids join us on Wednesday, June 28th from 10am-3pm for a day of exploring and learning at Lions Club Park! This event is free!

There will be hour-long courses on a variety of topics (see below for schedule) along with self-paced activities, such as scavenger hunts and plant color wheels, to complete on your own! Feel free to come for the full day or just a couple courses.

Course Schedule:
10am-11am: Wildlife ID with pelts and skulls!

11am-12pm: Wildlife Games!

12-1pm: Nature Crafts!

1pm-2pm: Water Ecology!

2pm-3pm: Compass Course!

*Please bring your own water, lunch, snacks, and layers for all weather.

Check-in at the JCPF tent on arrival!

View Event →
2023 Total Archery Challenge -Big Sky
Jun
23
to Jun 25

2023 Total Archery Challenge -Big Sky

  • Total Archery Challenge: Big Sky Resort (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us June 23, 24, and 25 in Big Sky, Montana. Stop by the booth to learn about the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation and our mission of conservation education. We will have educational and informational materials available, fundraiser raffle tickets, and will be doing drawings for prizes! Learn more about our raffle for a 2024 archery elk hunt.

For more information, email us at info@jackcreekpreserve.org.

View Event →
2024 Archery Elk Hunt Raffle
Jun
1
to Sep 26

2024 Archery Elk Hunt Raffle

Tickets are sold out!!

Thank you for supporting our mission of conservation education! We will draw the winning tickets during the Ennis Chamber of Commerce’s Hunters Feed on October 20th and will contact winners right away.

We are raffling off access for an archery elk hunt for the 2024 season! Only 250 tickets will be sold at $50 each, giving you excellent odds at winning access to the private 4500-acre property or other big-ticket items. Drawings will take place as soon as all 250 tickets are sold or on the evening of October 20, 2023.

Hunting for a Cause

What can I win? The top prize is access to the private 4500-acre Jack Creek Preserve for a 6-day archery elk hunt (valued at $8,000) in 2024, as the only hunter on the property at that time. You can have up to two non-hunting guests accompany you and will have access to two rustic cabins for your base camp. The Preserve also provides access to the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

Additional big-ticket prizes for subsequent winners includes a pair of Kenetrek Corrie II Hikers, a Stone Glacier AVAIL 2200 Pack, and a Block Classic Target.

Kenetrek Corrie II Hiker

Kenetrek CORRIE II HIKER ($300 value)

Stone glacier - avail 2200 ($299 value)

The Block Classic Target (Valued at $100)

The Block Classic Target ($150 value)

How much do tickets cost? $50 each, maximum of 20 tickets per person. Eligible payments include debit cards online, cash, and check. (Make checks out to Jack Creek Preserve Foundation and mail to PO Box 3, Ennis, MT 59729).

How many tickets are sold? Only 250 tickets sold with a maximum of 20 tickets per person to increase your odds of winning! Participants can only win one prize.

What am I supporting? By purchasing a ticket, you are furthering conservation education for educators and youth. Learn more here!

When will tickets be drawn? On or before the evening of October 20, 2023.

What am I responsible for? You will be responsible for your own transportation, meals, and hunting licensing. Understand your state laws regarding raffle tickets. While the raffle ticket may be purchased by persons of any age, MT state hunting laws apply to the hunter.

Where can I learn more? For more information see our Archery Elk Hunt Info Sheet or email us at info@jackcreekpreserve.org. Come visit our booth at the Total Archery Challenge on June 23-25, 2023, to chat with us in person and purchase your ticket!

Photo credits: Tim Irwin & Icon Archery

Partners & Sponsors

View Event →