Wolf watchers gather on a knoll in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley watching how packs interact and vocalize. In 1994, before wolves were brought back, the value of wolf watching to the economy of southwest Montana was zero. Within a decade, it had grown to $35 million and recently was estimated to be $82.7 million and rising. The value of Yellowstone and its wildlife has generated billions in economic activity for Montana. Instead of constantly complaining about the park and portraying Yellowstone as an imposition on his state, might Governor Greg Gianforte instead express gratitude to Yellowstone Supt. Cam Sholly and his staff for contributing exponentially more than it receives from Montana in return? Photo courtesy Diane Renkin/NPS
Wolf watchers gather on a knoll in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley watching how packs interact and vocalize. In 1994, before wolves were brought back, the value of wolf watching to the economy of southwest Montana was zero. Within a decade, it had grown to $35 million and recently was estimated to be $82.7 million and rising. The value of Yellowstone and its wildlife has generated billions in economic activity for Montana. Instead of constantly complaining about the park and portraying Yellowstone as an imposition on his state, might Governor Greg Gianforte instead express gratitude to Yellowstone Supt. Cam Sholly and his staff for contributing exponentially more than it receives from Montana in return? Photo courtesy Diane Renkin/NPS