The beauty and serenity of this area create a perfect backdrop for addressing wilderness conservation. Group leaders and students who have taken this course are convinced that the outdoors is far superior to any indoor classroom. Each day of the week-long trip is filled with hikes and assigned projects to strengthen each student's understanding and connection to the land. Whether tracking certain animals through the forest, identifying a rare bird's migration habits or taking stream samples, students learn about the vibrant life in the area. Students also learn about biogeography, biodiversity, disturbance regimes, GPS orienteering and how to interpret topographic maps.
Most students focus on their final projects, which are left up to their discretion.
In daily discussions, teachers and students delved into their understanding of wilderness and how they interpret current issues. Heavy consideration is placed upon political, social and cultural influences that shape modern wilderness conservation. The progress of students is clearly seen as their definitions of wilderness changes over the course of the week. Students are often amazed at the beauty of the region. Touring the immense landscape indirectly strengthens empathy for the conservation movement and inspires curiosity about other efforts that might be made.