Take a course in Alaska's wildest classrooms!
Field Courses
Alaska Geographic offers high quality learning experiences. Popular multi-day field courses immerse participants in intensive wilderness-based experiences led by experts in fields ranging from geology and birds to mosses, mammals, and more. These are active learning vacations. Participants must be in good physical condition and ready for some of the challenges of exploring Alaska. Hiking distances and physical fitness levels are described in greater detail for each course. These courses are accredited through the University of Alaska and are designed for adults.
Teachers: Click here for more accredited courses designed just for you!
Explore your Environment with Alaska Project Learning Tree
June 3 -5
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Alaska educators eligible for $125 reimbursement
Project Learning Tree offers flexible and engaging lessons that incorporate STEM, language arts, and social studies, and encourage collaborative, inquiry-based learning that can be integrated into your existing curriculum. Students benefit in multiple ways from nature based learning: decreased anxiety, reduced stress, improved behavior, and increased engagement, to name a few. And teachers do too! In this unique teacher workshop, we’ll explore the boreal forest and tundra, learning about the natural history and local environment while being immersed in outdoor teaching and learning techniques. You’ll slow down, heighten your senses, and deepen your understanding of – and connection to – Denali’s environment and the natural world. You’ll leave with a sense of renewal, and a fun book of learning activities to connect your students to the natural world.
Thanks to funding from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Education Grant for Alaska Project Learning Tree, educators working in Alaska are eligible for a $125 reimbursement after completing this course!
Hiking will be off trail over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains, covering distances of approximately 3-5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Boreal Forest Ecology
June 10 – 12
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Although Denali may be known more for its snow-capped peaks and open tundra ecosystems, Denali is also home to beautiful and intact expanses of boreal forest. Join Denali National Park Fire Ecologist Sarah Stehn to discover how forest systems grow, thrive, and cope with challenges like insect outbreaks and wildfires. We’ll wander through different forest areas, explore tree line, and observe changes in plant life and vegetation structure. We’ll explore how living things (like plants and animals) connect with non-living elements (like soil and topography) and how these relationships influence the way forests change over time. Boreal forests provide critical habitat and ecosystem function throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Let’s dive in to understand the roles different plants play and how forest disturbance is crucial to forest health.
Hiking may be moderately strenuous over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrain. Hikes will cover distances of approximately 3 – 5 miles round trip with as much as 1,000 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Monitoring Birds in Denali: why, how, where, and recent discoveries
June 13 – 15
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Denali National Park and Preserve is home to some of the longest running monitoring programs for birds in Alaska and in the US National Park Service system. These long-term data streams are essential for identifying trends in the abundance and distribution of birds and the factors driving those trends. The species included in these monitoring efforts include those that migrate at hemispheric scales such as the Arctic Warbler, Swainson’s Thrush and Blackpoll Warbler to those that stay in the Denali area their entire lives such as the Boreal Chickadee and Canada Jay. Join Denali wildlife biologist Carol McIntyre, who has been studying birds in this area for decades, on daily hikes into areas to search for these and other species and to learn more about why these monitoring programs were established, how they are implemented, and how she and other scientists are using the information generated by them to better understand the dynamic nature of Denali’s bird communities.
Hiking will be moderately strenuous over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrain. Hikes will cover distances of approximately 3 – 5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Wildflowers of Denali
June 20 – 22
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Each summer Denali blooms in a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers. Join local naturalist Eric Groth for an exploration of these beautiful mountainside colors. While hiking the hillsides we’ll learn how to identify plants by sight, with a hand lens, and with field guides. We’ll investigate how subarctic flora adapt to extreme latitude and high elevation while exploring the park’s unique patterns of plant diversity and ecological history. This is designed as an introductory course to Denali’s wildflowers and other plants.
Hiking will be moderately strenuous over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrain. Hikes will cover distances of approximately 4 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Project Learning Tree and the Nature of Fire in Alaska
June 27 – 29
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Alaska educators eligible for $125 reimbursement
This course is designed to train educators to teach our youth about fire ecology and wildland-urban interface fire protection in our changing climate. While gaining a sense of place, we’ll explore Denali’s boreal forest and tundra and the role wildfire plays on these ecosystems. We’ll join NPS fire ecologists for a hands-on look at past fires in Denali National Park and Preserve to understand interior Alaska’s fire regime, management strategies, and how the ecosystem responds to fire. Educators will receive PLT’s The Nature of Fire Activity collection, and Wildfire and Change in Alaska, as well as be introduced to fire education resources including fire kits that are available to check out throughout the state. Open to K-12 educators, we’ll look at how to adapt lessons to your grade level, and where to find age-appropriate lessons and resources to teach about Fire in Alaska.
Thanks to funding from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Education Grant for Alaska Project Learning Tree, educators working in Alaska are eligible for a $125 reimbursement after completing this course!
Hiking will be off trail over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains, covering distances of approximately 3-5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Family Outdoor School
July 4 – 6
Denali National Park and Preserve
$252 per person Alaska Geographic Member Price ($280 non-member price)
Come explore Denali with us! Create lasting memories and help the whole family develop a deep love for Denali and the outdoors. You’ll enjoy guided activities with a Murie Science and Learning Center science educator throughout the weekend. We’ll offer ideas on how to connect with nature through games, activities, stories, and more, as well as build our outdoor skills. Packing list should include curiosity, smiles, a sense of adventure and your playful spirit! This course is designed for families with children 5 years old and older. If your family has children both over and under 5, please contact us to discuss the best course for your family.
Hiking will be moderately strenuous over uneven forest, and river bar terrain covering distances of up to 3 miles round trip with as much as 1000 feet of elevation gain. We may encounter wet forest conditions and minor stream crossings with water levels that are above hiking boots. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
Wildlife Tracks and Signs
July 11 – 13
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic Member Price ($500 non-member price)
Learn how to read stories on the landscape using the science and art of wildlife tracking. With expert tracker Mike Taras, we will explore Denali to find the tracks and signs of all animals, large and small. We’ll learn how to look for tracks and signs and then learn key factors in their identification. We’ll study the gaits of different animals and the track patterns they leave on the ground. We’ll also learn about aging tracks, animal behavior, observation skills, and more! As we sharpen our senses and observational skills, the landscape will come alive with the evidence of our wild neighbors. After learning about the natural history of Denali throughout the weekend, you’ll take home the knowledge and skills that will help your study of wildlife tracks and signs into the future.
Mike Taras is a naturalist and wildlife education and outreach specialist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Interior and Northeast Alaska. Mike has many years of experience intensely studying wildlife tracks and signs as well as trailing animals throughout the U.S. and South Africa.
Hiking will be off trail over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains, covering distances of approximately 3-5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Discovering Denali's Micro Wilderness: Insects and other Arthropods
July 18 – 20
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic Member Price ($500 non-member price)
Denali is well known for its large mammals and big mountain, but a closer look reveals a vast microwilderness waiting to be discovered. Denali’s insects, spiders, and other arthropods play a critical role in Denali’s ecosystems and have only recently been the subject of more in depth research. Join Jessica Rykken, former entomologist at Denali and now the Entomology Collections Manager at the Museum of the North, and Adam Haberski, former graduate student at UAF and currently Collection Manager at Mississippi Entomological Museum for a behind the scenes look at their 5 year arthropod study and an exploration of this fascinating world. We’ll visit several sites along an elevational transect to learn about the different insects found there and the important roles they play in Denali.
Hiking will be off trail over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains, covering distances of approximately 3-5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Geology of Denali
August 1 – 3
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Denali’s dramatic landscape has been sculpted and scoured by tectonics, glaciers, rivers, and landslides. Join University of Alaska Fairbanks Geology professor and researcher Sean Regan for an introduction to Denali’s geology. We will spend our days hiking mountains and valleys learning how geologists study the Earth and interpret the landscape’s story. We’ll learn basic mineral and rock identification, decipher evidence of past glaciations, examine dynamic braided rivers, and visit areas affected by permafrost and landslides.
Hiking will be strenuous, covering distances up to several miles round trip and including as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will be hiking off trail on steep, rough, uneven, and unstable rocks, tundra, and/or forested terrain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
This course is currently sold out. Click here to be added to the wait list.
Bears of Denali
August 4 – 6
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
As the days grow shorter, grizzly bears are preparing for their long winter’s sleep. Join Denali National Park wildlife biologist Pat Owen and hear tales from her 30 years of studying bears in the park. We will spend our time investigating grizzly bear habitat while learning about this animal’s behavior, life history, and their role in the Denali ecosystem. We’ll also discuss ongoing grizzly bear research and how to stay safe in bear country.
Hiking will be off trail over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains, covering distances of approximately 3-5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
This course is currently sold out. Click here to be added to the wait list.
Wolves of Denali
August 8 – 10
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Wolves are a potent symbol of wilderness in our society, and Denali is one of the world’s best places for learning about these elusive predators. Join Denali National Park’s wolf biologist Bridget Borg in the field as we explore predator and prey relationships, wolf behavior, social structure, and wildlife management issues facing the National Park Service. Learn the latest in wolf research as we search wildlife corridors for tracks and signs of this fascinating species.
Hiking will be off trail over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrains, covering distances of approximately 3-5 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
This course is currently sold out. Click here to be added to the wait list.
Yoga in Denali
August 15 – 17
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
The Sanskrit term yuj, from which the word yoga is derived, is usually translated as “union” or “linking.” This joining is the focus of Yoga in Denali. The grand landscape of Denali invites the soul to remember the most cherished relationships and “links” in life. Through breathing practices, sequences of asanas (physical postures), and meditation in nature, you can build a deeper understanding and connection to yourself; in turn connecting more genuinely with the land and people around you. Join Denali local May Huntley, a yoga teacher and retreat facilitator with over 10 years of experience, in being humbled by the environment and strengthened in body, spirit, and community through yoga practice. Come away inspired to incorporate stewardship of natural places into your daily life and practice as well as the knowledge on how to share this connection and practice with students, children, or others in your life. This course is appropriate for all experience levels.
No prior yoga experience is needed for this course. Hiking will also be included and will be moderately strenuous over uneven tundra, forest, and river bar terrain, and may cover distances of up to 4 miles round trip with as much as 1,500 feet of elevation gain. We will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
Mushrooms in Denali
August 22 – 24
Denali National Park and Preserve
$450 Alaska Geographic member price ($500 non-member price)
Late summer showcases a wealth of mushrooms throughout interior Alaska. Join local naturalist Eric Groth in Denali National Park to learn various techniques for identifying native wild mushrooms. Taking clues from the landscape, we’ll hone our observation skills and gain experience using field guides. We’ll learn about the many roles mushrooms play in Denali’s vastly different environments as we gain an appreciation for wild mushrooms and how they influence our lives.
Hiking will be moderate, covering distances of approximately 1 mile round trip, and including as much as 500 feet of elevation gain. We will be hiking off trail on uneven tundra and forest terrains and will likely encounter wet tundra / forest conditions and minor stream crossings. Participants must be in good physical condition.
Like any outdoor activity, there are inherent risks associated with our field courses yet we actively manage our exposures and depend on you to play a role in our risk management. Read more here.
One professional development credit is available for this course through the office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) at the University of Alaska Anchorage for an additional fee of $79. Information on the credit requirements and how to register and pay for the credit are available from the links below.
PACE uses the Genius platform for registration. To create an account, please open “Registration Instructions”. Once you have an account, you may register for your course by opening “Course Registration”.
Please note that the syllabus and course registration links will not be live until late April.
This course is currently sold out. Click here to be added to the wait list.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations and/or substitutions that occur 60 days in advance of the course start date will be refunded the course fee, less a processing fee of $50 per space. For cancellations and/or substitutions 59 to 8 days before the course start date, the entire fee will be retained unless we can fill your space. There will be no refunds within 7 days of the course start date. Registration fees are not transferable to future years. If we have to cancel a course, your entire fee will be refunded. Refunds will be credited to the credit card used during the original transaction if less than 60 days since the original transaction. All other refunds will be made through a mailed check. All membership purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable.