Wildlife Survival: The Yellowstone Endangered Species Project

Join us this summer as we explore the wild mountains and valleys of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, a biologically diverse wildland that provides critical habitat for Grizzly Bear, Grey Wolf, Bison and other majestic but threatened wildlife species. Our field study takes place in and around Yellowstone National Park at the heart of the largest intact wilderness region in the temperate zones of the earth. Much of our fieldwork will be in wild forest backcountry and watersheds, prime locales for Yellowstone’s endangered wildlife.

Yellowstone National Park provides both crucial wildlife habitat and serves as North America’s premier location for observing and studying wildlife and multi-species interactions. Thus, it has become an immense natural laboratory presenting unparalleled opportunity for field investigations. While our primary focus on this project will be the Grey Wolf, our wide-ranging explorations will allow us to investigate everything from butterflies to bison.

THE PROJECT

The Greater Yellowstone region is a highly complex and biologically diverse ecological system. It is one of the last remaining ecosystems in the lower 48 states with its entire pre-European compliment of species. The biological components that are most emblematic of Yellowstone’s high ecosystem integrity, such as wolves and bears, are continually shrouded in controversy. Complex issues facing these wildlife populations present challenging management problems with few easy decisions.

Extirpated in the 1920s, and restored in 1996, wolves remain Yellowstone’s most controversial species. Every year thousands of people come to Yellowstone hoping for the chance to see a wolf in the wild. At the same time, record numbers of people are lining up for the chance to hunt wolves in Idaho and Montana. Thus, in addition to examining wolf ecology and behavior, we will also address the controversial issues of reintroduction and management.

With Yellowstone’s Northern Range as our base, we will embark on forays both in and around the park to conduct our wildlife observations. This will include both day hikes and a multi-day backpacking trip. Our hands-on field activities will be augmented by information exchanges with wildlife management experts and conservation community leaders as we explore the ecology of our study species and the complex management issues and controversies surrounding them. By the end of the project, team members will have participated in a firsthand investigation of major Yellowstone wildlife/habitat issues in and around the nation’s first national park.

Read the full course description:

EARN 8 SEMESTER CREDITS IN MONTANA BY PARTICIPATING ON BOTH THE YELLOWSTONE AND GLACIER PROJECTS!

PROJECT LEADER

GREG GORDON has taught university and field study programs since 1992, focusing on conservation policy. He currently teaches Endangered Species ecology courses for Wildlands Studies and Environmental History courses at University of Montana.