Partner & Affinity Groups

While trail work or noxious weed suppression is the goal, many volunteers go home with an intangible wilderness experience they never expected.

Volunteer Comments:

  “The trip was an exhilarating experience of renewal. Excellent organization and planning and work preparation was evident to make the trip a memorable success. The immersion in the wilderness was glorious.””

  “I LOVED this trip, and it really pushed me to do things I didn't know I could. Addy, my crew leader, was the most amazing person I have met EVER. I am recommending this to everyone.”

  “I had such a great time this trip and can't wait to hopefully come back again next year. I just love how ten volunteers can hike in as strangers and out as friends.”

January 2nd: We ask prospective partners to commit to trip dates by this date. After inquiring with the BMWF, a meeting to discuss your group's specific needs will be scheduled to assist with project planning. Why this date? We work closely with the U.S. Forest Service to plan projects addressing specific needs within the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. These projects are planned with the Forest Service in mid/late January. This deadline for partnership inquiries allows the BMWF to bring your group's specific project to that discussion to ensure we can find a good project match for your group.  

January - March: RECRUIT, RECRUIT, RECRUIT!! We expect our partner groups to provide at least 6 participants for their trip (maximum of 8). This is an essential part of your partnership not only with the BMWF, but with our Forest Service partners as well.  

March 3rd: The BMWF will send you a link to a custom webpage highlighting the specific details of your trip. It will also have a link to a registration page for your participants to register individually. 

April 1st: We ask that partners have their group registered by this date. This way the BMWF has the necessary information about your group to effectively plan out your trip. If your group is unable to come up with at least 6 participants, we will open your trip to the public to sign up. Why this date? This is meant to honor our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and complete the work we have committed to. Opening the trip up at this date allows ample time for the public to sign up so that the trip need not be canceled.  Any individuals from your group who are signed up are still able to attend, but will complete the project alongside other volunteer trail workers! 

The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation does not exchange fees for services. As a nonprofit, we work hard writing grants, seeking donations and hosting fundraisers to supplement trip costs.

If you have the means to donate to the Foundation after your project, we greatly appreciate the contribution. If you have a limited budget, we're here to help make it happen at limited cost to you.

All projects require a $450 deposit to hold your trip dates (The equivalent of $75 per person for a group of 6). All deposits are refundable AFTER the project is complete. Your participants will NOT have to pay a separate security deposit – it will be free of charge for them to participate.

There is a lot of planning and costs that go into every BMWF trip from meal costs, staff time, packing costs, administrative, etc. If your partner group or organization is interested in contributing more to the work the Bob Marshall WIlderness Foundation does, let us know!  Any additional support is appreciated and valued!

Wilderness service projects require a great deal of preparation and attention to detail. You have some responsibility in this process. The lists below outline how we can best work together as we prepare for a trip into The Bob. You will also receive an agreement that further defines expectations for your organization and BMWF.

Your Responsibilities:

• Designate a Group Leader to assist with pre-trip planning and communications and represent the Partner Group on the trip.

• Recruit a minimum of six (6) volunteers per project. The maximum number of volunteers is eight (8). If you have more volunteers, we can discuss running multiple projects for your group.

• Sign and return partner agreement (MOU).

• Direct each group participant to the partner page on the BMWF website and ensure that they complete the volunteer registration no later than April 1st. 

• Provide each participant in the group with the BMWF packing list provided.

• You may choose to reimburse BMWF for your group's trip expenses (food, packing, Crew Leader costs) as part of the partnership effort to protect public lands.

• Flexibility — we are working in the woods with many variables.

BMWF will provide:

• A Project Plan including work details, driving directions, packing list, etc. The plan will be provided to the Partner Group Leader by March 3rd. 

• An experienced Wilderness Crew Leader (with backcountry safety, trails and/or weeds training & more)

• Pre-trip online education opportunities

• Pre-project details including packing list, directions, wilderness information, daily itinerary, etc.

• Meal planning and food shopping, group hygiene & cooking gear

• Two-way backcountry radios

• Safety gear and trail tools

• Pack stock support (if needed)

*Expectations can vary by group and will be outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed by BMWF staff and partner Contact Person/Group Leader prior to the project.

A $450 refundable deposit is required to secure your partner project. You can pay via check or make an online payment with a credit card. Your deposit can be refunded AFTER your project has taken place.

The intent behind the refundable deposit is to ensure your group is committed before putting on their hiking boots. Please take the time to prepare for your projects so we can avoid the following matters.

Note that a group’s refundable deposit will be forfeited if the following general expectations are not fulfilled.

General Expectations:

• Safety is the number one concern in the field. If any partner participant is violating safety expectations or direction from BMWF staff, the BMWF is entitled to cancel a project effective immediately (even in the field) without a refund.

• The BMWF is required by the US Forest Service to submit volunteer paperwork to respective Forest Service personnel no later than 10 (ten) business days before a project start date for every participant. If the BMWF is missing paperwork after the deadline, the project will be cancelled without a refund.

• Project enrollment minimum is six (6) volunteers, maximum of eight (8). If a partner has reserved project dates and fails to recruit the minimum participant number by April 1st, the BMWF will open the project up to the general public, but refund the group's deposit. 

American Hiking Society

Boy Scouts of America

Big Sky Bible Camp

Building Bridges

Continental Divide Trail Association

Flathead National Forest Employees

Flathead Ski Education Foundation

Girl Scouts of America

Girls in The Bob

Greg Nelson & Family

Great Old Broads (Flathead Chapter)

Glacier Queer Alliance

Here Montana

Helena Young Professionals

Latino Outdoors - Missoula Chapter

Montana Academy

Montana Wilderness Association

National Smokejumpers Association

Next Generation West Ministries

Paul Busch Memorial Foundation

Pete Metzmaker & Friends

Rocky Mountain Outfitters

Salish Kootenai College Upward Bound

Sinopah House

Schreiner University, Texas

Sierra Club

The Center (Missoula)

University of Montana, Outdoor Program

Woods Project

Wilderness Volunteers

Youth in Restoration