WILD ROCKIES

December 2024 Newsletter

It's T-Shirt Time!

Help WRFI Design Some New Swag

It’s time to prepare our 2025 t-shirt design, and we’d love to stick with the tradition of having a WRFI alumn create it!

We are open to any ideas, submissions just need to consider our tagline: academic in nature. Consider this year’s “Hey, Bear!” design shown here. The 2025 design will also be featured on the back of the shirt. It can have up to 6 colors, should be in a 5x6 size ratio, and needs to say WRFI or Wild Rockies Field Institute – other than that, it's totally up to you!

If you are interested in submitting a design, we need it by January 15th, 2025 so that we can get a bunch of shirts printed in time for our first courses going out in March. You can submit your design ideas directly to Kelsey at kelsey.wellington@wrfi.net.

We know our alums are an incredibly talented, artistic bunch, and we'd love to see what you come up with!

Thank you sooo much! We are very excited to feature your art!

WRFI Adult Courses 2025

Choose from THREE Weeklong Courses!

Have you heard about our new programming for adult learners yet?

These non-credit courses are designed for individuals seeking professional and personal growth, community-building, and adventure. Engage in immersive learning experiences in stunning natural settings, guided by expert instructors. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of environmental issues, develop new skills, or connect with like-minded individuals, WRFI’s adult courses provide a unique opportunity for enriching and transformative experiences.

Featured Course: Southwest Climate Studio Art

28 Field Days | 6 Semester Credits | $5,996 - $7,495

May 19 - June 15, 2025

Students on this course will gain an academic and experience-based understanding of community climate resilience in the American Southwest, especially in Northern and Western New Mexico. Students will also engage in a daily practice of creating artwork in response to climate change and community resilience. The theme of this course is “Community Resilience in a Changing Climate.” Students will specifically explore agricultural adaptations and systems, Spanish and Indigenous cultural resilience, and both biophysical and societal adaptations to climate change.

Scholarships and other discounts are available for this course, saving you up to 20% on tuition. Visit the link below for more info or respond to this email with any questions!

Fresh from the Field: Caroline Serio

Keeping Culture Alive in a Digital Age

"He described to us how words have the power to hold generations together,

to keep them bonded forever."

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, how can we ensure that our cultures and traditions stay alive? Caroline Serio dives into this crucial conversation in her latest blog post, exploring the challenges and opportunities of preserving culture in the digital age. From the impact of social media to the power of storytelling, it's a must-read for anyone passionate about cultural preservation and innovation.

A Big Thank You!

It's been wonderful to hear from so many of you in the wide WRFI community since we sent out our annual appeal letter. Hearing more about what you've all been up to, the impact WRFI continues to have on your lives, and seeing your generosity in action has warmed our hearts. We wanted to extend a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to our fundraising campaign so far! Your donations will directly benefit students who join us in 2025 by providing financial aid to attend the course of their choice!

If you did not receive an appeal letter in the mail, please contact us at wrfi@wrfi.net.

If you'd like to contribute to the fundraising campaign, you can do so here: