All posts by nfpa

Larry Wilson: Yellowstone Park slide show lined up for Jan 20

Commentary, News, , ,

[Updated to correct time for presentation at Sondreson Hall.]

This is the seventh year Rick Graetz brings a group of his students to the North Fork and, as usual, he will be giving a presentation at Sondreson Hall. Larry Wilson’s column has the details . . .

This will be the seventh year that Rick Graetz, a University of Montana geography professor, will bring one of his classes to the North Fork.

The class will stay at the Polebridge Hostel and, as usual, Rick will present an educational program for local residents at Sondreson Community Hall. This year, the program will take place on Monday, Jan. 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Rick and his wife Suzie are accomplished photographers, and the program always revolves around a slide show of photos they have taken themselves.

This year, the program will feature about 100 photos of Yellowstone National Park as well as the narrative. It will illustrate the splendor of the mountains, rivers, forests, geysers and wildlife of what was once best known as “Colter’s Hell.”

Read More . . .

Snowshoeing in Glacier National Park

News, , , ,

The Daily Inter Lake has a nice write-up — with video, no less — of a recent ranger-led snowshoe walk in Glacier National Park . . .

When winter shrouds Glacier National Park, snowshoes are a handy mode of transportation into its snowy inner realm.

Despite rain and high winds, 15 people came out for a ranger-led snowshoe walk on Jan. 11, National Winter Trails Day.

“I’m pretty impressed,” park Ranger Terry Peterson told snowshoers as they departed from the Apgar Visitor Center. “This is the best time of the year to explore the park.”

Read more . . .

Large, old trees grow fastest

News,

Alan McNeil passed on this very interesting item. Think tree growth slows with maturity? Not according to a recent article in Nature.

The USGS, which had a lot to do with this study, put out a press release. Here’s the lead-in . . . .

Trees do not slow in their growth rate as they get older and larger — instead, their growth keeps accelerating, according to a study published today in the journal Nature.

“This finding contradicts the usual assumption that tree growth eventually declines as trees get older and bigger,” says Nate Stephenson, the study’s lead author and a forest ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. “It also means that big, old trees are better at absorbing carbon from the atmosphere than has been commonly assumed.”

An international team of researchers compiled growth measurements of 673,046 trees belonging to 403 tree species from tropical, subtropical and temperate regions across six continents, calculating the mass growth rates for each species and then analyzing for trends across the 403 species. The results showed that for most tree species, mass growth rate increases continuously with tree size — in some cases, large trees appear to be adding the carbon mass equivalent of an entire smaller tree each year.

“In human terms, it is as if our growth just keeps accelerating after adolescence, instead of slowing down,” explains Stephenson. “By that measure, humans could weigh half a ton by middle age, and well over a ton at retirement.”

Read more . . .

Medusahead detected on Flathead Indian Reservation

Environmental Issues, News, ,

Just what we need, a new invasive weed to look out for . . .

The latest “Wanted” poster in western Montana isn’t for a person, but rather, a plant.

Authorities from three counties and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are asking people to be on the lookout for medusahead.

The invasive weed has been detected in the north Valley Creek area of the Flathead Indian Reservation. It is capable of drastically reducing the livestock carrying capacity of rangeland.

Read more . . .

Canadian Flathead bioblitz tour next week

Environmental Issues, News,

If you happen to be in Canada next week, you can find out more about the recent “bioblitz” at a series of talks offered around British Columbia. Here’s the announcement, courtesy of the Flathead River Valley web site . . .

Birds, bats, bugs… oh my! Come hear about the exciting biodiversity recently discovered in BC’s Flathead River Valley and how you can help save it forever. Speakers include Royal BC Museum’s Claudia Copley and Melissa Frey among others.

January 21st @ Science World In Vancouver – 7PM
January 22nd @ College of the Rockies Lecture Theatre in Cranbrook – 7PM
January 23rd @ The Arts Station in Fernie – 7PM
January 24th @ Canmore Collegiate – 7PM

Montana FWP seeks comment on fish and wildlife action plan

Environmental Issues, News, ,

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking for public comment on the latest State Wildlife Action Plan revision by February 9. Here’s the press release . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking comment on an update to the state’s comprehensive conservation plan for more than 100 of the state’s fish and wildlife species and their habitats.

Initially completed in 2006, the recent revision of Montana’s Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Conservation Strategy was led by FWP, working closely with team members from other state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations.

“The team’s planning efforts included regular public updates and participation opportunities. Public input continues to be an important part of wrapping up Montana’s State Wildlife Action Plan for the next 10 year-cycle,” said Deb O’Neill, FWP’s fish and wildlife plan coordinator in Helena.

In 2000, federal legislation created the State Wildlife Grant program intended to fund conservation programs for all fish and wildlife, including species not pursued by hunters and anglers. Montana has since been awarded $12.7 million in SWG funds for conservation programs ranging from prairie fish surveys and loon research to trumpeter swan and grizzly bear conservation.

To continue to participate in the federal grant program states must revise their plans every 10 years.

“Montana’s update contains the latest and best information available on the status of species and habitats in the greatest need of conservation, which will help to better direct Montana’s conservation and management efforts through 2024,” O’Neill said.

Comments on the State Wildlife Action Plan are due Feb. 9 by 5 p.m. For more information and to comment, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov choose State Wildlife Action Plan.

Glacier Park offers snowshoe excursions through March 22

News,

Glacier Park is offering snowshoe excursions each Saturday through March 22 . . .

Here’s a cool – double meaning intended – idea for getting some fresh air during the coming cabin fever months.

Why not strap on a pair of snowshoes and head off into the winter wonderland that is Glacier National Park?

Four times a weekend beginning Saturday, park rangers will lead two-hour snowshoe excursions from the Apgar Visitor Center.

Read more . . .

Or read the official press release.

Carnivores captured on camera in burn area

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

Here’s an interesting article about a study of carnivores in a burn area in the Bitterroot National Forest. They even turned up a wolverine . . .

There was no way of knowing what kind of critters might venture through the charred trees left last year in the wake of a wildfire in Soldier Creek.

“The ground was basically dust,” said Bitterroot National Forest biologist Andrea Shortsleeve.

Far up in the head of the West Fork drainage not far from Devil Creek, a team of Bitterroot National Forest researchers led by the biologist decided to set a photographic trap in an effort to see what might show up.

Read more . . .