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Homing Instinct: Sandhills' Return A Marvel To Behold

April 18, 2023

A pair of sandhills return to their northern haunt
In Greater Yellowstone, America's cradle of wildlife conservation, writer Earle Layser offers this primer on sandhill cranes—another inspirational part of an ecosystem still intact
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Meet Jessica Wiese, Mountain Journal's New Executive Director

April 7, 2023

Jessie brings dynamic combo of love for outdoors, wild places and rural Westerners
With a background in science and private land conservation, Wiese says the time is now to rally for Greater Yellowstone as the region comes under increasing human pressure
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'Huge Mortality': Winterkill Hitting Wildlife In Northern Rockies Hard

April 7, 2023

A bull elk in Yellowstone left haggard by the winter
Grizzlies are out and wildlife is severely stressed. States issue warnings that recreationists need to be smart and, most importantly, respect space of animals or they could perish
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People Beat Machines In Ability To Identify Wildlife

April 5, 2023

A big wildcat on the run: could you ID it in a line up?
Although AI is frighteningly on the rise, study finds human eyesight and brains still hold advantage in recognizing subtle differences between pumas
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The Gray Ghosts Of Change: Can The Grizzly 'Bear Tree' Be Saved?

April 3, 2023

A grizzly on the hunt for food moves through a Northern Rockies forest
The whitebark pine tree is receiving federal protection at same time states are pushing to remove grizzlies from imperiled list. A story about how fate of trees and bears is intertwined 
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When Climate Change Seems Overwhelming, Focus On Local Nature-Based Solutions

March 29, 2023

One of many Greater Yellowstone valleys worth rallying to protect
With a distinguished career advising large business and working internationally, Lara Birkes returned home to Montana. In this op-ed, she identifies reasons to have hope
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Rising Toll Of Yellowstone Bison Killed In Montana Attracts Global Outrage

March 27, 2023

Based on intolerance, bison casualty count continues to rise among Yellowstone bison in Montana
Op-Ed: With one-third of herd gone, Jaedin Medicine Elk—Northern Cheyenne—calls out the slaughter of America's official national land mammal on Yellowstone's front doorstep 
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We Are Transforming Yellowstone And Only Hard Human Choices Will Keep Ecosystem Intact

March 22, 2023

A bull elk near Yellowstone's Fawn Pass Trail
In this guest essay, Lance Olsen notes that our best hope of safeguarding America's first national park and its natural character rests with our species consuming less land. Can we tame our appetite? 
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Are Western Mountain Towns Ready For The Coming Flames?

March 21, 2023

Can't happen here? The Bridger Foothills Fire was Bozeman's WUI wake-up call
Rural sprawl is expanding the "wildland-urban interface." It is elevating the costs and perils of dealing with wildfire, and taxpayers are footing the bill. Part 2 in our ongoing series


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Protected Islands In The Stream Help Keep Mighty Yellowstone Wild

March 15, 2023

Yellowstone magic: vision of protected islands in a healthy wild  braided river
Investing in nature = smart ecosystem thinking: Beartooth Group and state of Montana preserve pair of wildlife-rich islands that now provides legal access to those who savor Yellowstone River by boat
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The Usual Suspects: In Colorado, Wolves Blamed For Losses They Didn't Cause

March 13, 2023

Experts say wolves have a rap sheet they don't deserve
Story Warren, in this personal essay for Writers on the Range, notes how an investigation shows 40 recent cattle deaths can't be pinned on lobos 
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Wolverines: Barometers For Pondering Impacts Of The Anthropocene

March 12, 2023

Plight of wolverines a test of human willingness to give them protected space
Changes in habitat and rising human pressures leave many wondering how long just 300 or so wolverines can persist in the West
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Moving Into The Flames

March 8, 2023

A crown fire approaches the Old Faithful Photo Shop, Yellowstone National Park, 1988
As climate refugees flee extreme weather events, they’re relocating to wildfire-prone areas like Greater Yellowstone. Part 1 in our ongoing series on wildfire
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Wake-Up Time: First Grizzly Of 2023 Spotted In Yellowstone

March 7, 2023

A male grizzly wandering the still-wintry interior of Yellowstone
Bears are coming of their dens in Greater Yellowstone and given the tough winter we've had there are a lot of carcasses awaiting them. Be aware and be careful
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