In 1992, four fresh-faced students joined conservationist Jim Tolisano in Colorado's San Juan Mountains in search of grizzly bears. Grizzlies are thought to be extinct in the state, but sighting rumors circulated, and Round River Conservation Studies' founders Dennis Sizemore and Doug Peacock -- who inspired the character Hayduke in Edward Abbey's The Monkey Wrench Gang -- had combed the mountains for bears the previous two summers. Collecting scat by day and listening to evening campfire lectures, the students were Round River's trial run. The organization now sends groups of six to 10 students per semester to work on conservation projects in Africa, South America and Canada. Earning credit through Utah State University, they spend 12 weeks doing scientific fieldwork. Their work complements that of the organization's research team, who develop science-based conservation plans for communities and governments around the world. High Country News recently called Sizemore at his