Overview
Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Bettie Programs connect women with outdoor recreation, conservation, and one another. Programs combine hands-on instruction with time outside and are designed to help participants build the skills and confidence to explore the mountains.
Offerings vary throughout the year and may include hiking, rock climbing, fly-fishing, snowshoeing, winter recreation, and other outdoor skills. Bettie Programs are offered through the Conservancy’s Field Institute and are named in honor of pioneering ecologist Dr. Beatrice “Bettie” Willard.
2026 events have ended for the season. Check back in December to view 2027 courses.
Upcoming Bettie Programs
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Dr. Beatrice “Bettie” Willard’s Legacy
Dr. Beatrice “Bettie” Willard was an ecologist, educator, and advocate whose work helped shape the protection of Rocky Mountain National Park’s alpine tundra. Beginning in the late 1950s and early 1960s, she studied the effects of human activity on fragile tundra ecosystems and helped inform how the park manages these landscapes today.
In 1962, Willard helped launch the educational seminars that eventually became the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute. Her belief in learning through direct experience in the outdoors continues through Bettie Programs, which honor her legacy by encouraging women to learn about conservation while recreating outside.
Apply for a scholarship
Cost should not be a barrier to getting outside. In honor of longtime Rocky Mountain Conservancy board member Jan Robertson, the Conservancy established a scholarship fund to help participants take part in Bettie Programs. Robertson spent more than 20 years on the Conservancy board and championed greater access to Rocky Mountain National Park and outdoor recreation.
Complete the scholarship application below. Submit a separate application for each program you would like to attend.
Printable Course Calendar
Looking for an easy way to plan your next Field Institute experience? Download the printable course calendar to see upcoming courses at a glance.
Keep it handy as you plan your year, share it with friends and family, or use it to find your next opportunity to learn, explore, and experience Rocky Mountain National Park.
