All posts by nfpa

‘Wolverine Way’ a humorous, informative book

Environmental Issues, News,

While we’re on the subject of Wolverines, here’s a nice review of local author Doug Chadwick’s recent (May, 2010) book, The Wolverine Way . . .

“Wolverines belong to the carnivore family Mustelidae, more commonly called the weasel family after its most familiar members. From a public relations standpoint, this is a bit unfortunate, considering how corporate shills, spammers, faithless lovers and hedge fund managers keep giving weasels a bad name.”

That quotation is from “The Wolverine Way” by Doug Chadwick, a surprisingly funny yet keenly informative book about Glacier National Park’s mysterious wolverine population.

“I’m a biologist. It’s been really hard for me to get it through my thick head that people aren’t as interested in all those geeky facts,” Chadwick said from his rural Whitefish home last week. “Wolverines are fun and exciting. If I don’t get that across, I’m not conveying the real information about the animal. I’m a superfan.”

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In Glacier, volunteers help track secretive wolverines

Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

Here’s another article on the wolverine study in Glacier National Park. This one, from the Hungry Horse News, is based on an interview with Doug Chadwick — reasonable enough, since he has published a book on wolverines . . .

A creature long-maligned is finally getting some positive attention. The wolverine, one of Glacier National Park’s most rugged animals, is the subject of an ongoing study by biologists to learn more about the mysterious animal.

“We’re trying to get out there an learn everything we can,” said volunteer and local author Doug Chadwick. “The single most concentrated, vigorous population we know of in the Lower 48 is in Glacier National Park and we’re only talking about 40 to 45 animals.”

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Larry Wilson: Opinions from Trail Creek

Commentary,

Larry Wilson presents a 25th anniversary column this week. Or maybe, since he says the first one was in 1985, it’s 26 years. Anyways, here’s the lead-in . . .

At the end of March I will have written this column for twenty-five years. The first one appeared on April Fools Day 1985 which was probably appropriate.

I was asked to write the column by then owner and editor, Brian Kennedy, and I agreed with many reservations. My only writing experience was writing wrestling columns for Mel Ruder when I was coaching at Columbia Falls High School and felt ill-prepared to replace John Frederick, who had been writing the column. He at least was an English major. At that point I decided I would try to inform folks about the North Fork and let someone else teach grammar and English.

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Missoula audience scrutinizes U.S. Forest Service’s proposed planning rule

Environmental Issues, News,

This article from today’s Missoulian is well worth reading if you have any interest in the proposed changes to the USFS planning rule. The write-up includes information on how to access the planning rule website and leave comments . . .

It’s a little like changing the shape of the strike zone in baseball, or the allowable deductions on your income tax form. A proposed planning rule for all U.S. Forest Service activity is both deeply wonky and game-changing.

The draft rule spreads fine print from page 8,480 to page 8,528 in the Federal Register. In there is something that may affect every trail walker, tree cutter, mushroom picker, snowmobile rider, hunter, angler, small-plane pilot, outfitter, gold miner, folf player and who-knows-what other national forest user.

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Settlement reached on wolf recovery in western states – more info

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

From the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, here’s some more information on the proposed gray wolf recovery settlement announced last Friday . . .

Wolf management in the Northern Rockies took a step forward Friday, March 18, when a coalition of 10 conservation groups — including GYC — announced a legal settlement with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The agreement was filed in a federal district court in Missoula, where the court will review it and decide whether to support [it] . . .

If the court OKs the settlement, wolf management will return to the states of Montana and Idaho. Meanwhile, Endangered Species Act protections will be retained in the states where wolves remain threatened: Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Utah . . .

Continue reading . . .

Further reading:
GYC press release
Press release from the U.S. Department of the Interior

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks releases spring bear report

Environmental Issues, News, , , ,

It’s that time of year again. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released their spring bear report to various media outlets Friday, encouraging people to get ready for hungry bears emerging from hibernation . . .

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear managers meet every year in mid-March to prepare for the state’s bears to emerge from hibernation. About the same time, male grizzly bears are already stirring and that is why April 1st is the target date FWP bear managers recommend for bringing in winter bird feeders and seed, cleaning yards and collecting and disposing of bear attractants that have accumulated over winter.

NORTHWESTERN MONTANA
Tim Manley, FWP Region 1 grizzly bear specialist, said it is especially important for residents to clean up around their homes early in April. In recent years, deep mountain snowpack and heavy spring snowfall have pushed bears into the valley bottoms earlier in the season and for longer than usual.

“On the east side of the Flathead Valley during 2010, we had 18 grizzly bears we knew spent much of April and the first half of May in the valley . . .”

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Site update: Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent

Site Updates,

We’ve added the “Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent” to the “Related Links” sidebar. John Frederick and Annemarie Harrod represented the NFPA at last year’s annual roundtable in Waterton. By all reports, it was a good experience. This year’s event is scheduled for September 22-23 in Polson, MT.

The Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent has a pretty broad reach, including people, communities and organizations with a wide range of interests. Here’s what they have to say about themselves:

The Crown of the Continent is a remarkable place. Spanning the 49th parallel and anchored by Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, it has been the home of Native Americans and First Nations for thousands of years. Today, the stunning scenery, vast wilderness areas, iconic wildlife, and diverse recreational opportunities attract visitors from throughout the world. These amenities support a ring [of] communities around the Crown. Working landscapes help knit together the natural and cultural fabric of this region.

The Roundtable is an ongoing forum to bring together people who care about this special place . . .

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Deal reached to lift wolf protections in Montana and Idaho

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

From an AP article posted to today’s Flathead Beacon . . .

Facing mounting pressure from Congress, wildlife advocates and the U.S. Department of Interior on Friday reached an agreement to lift gray wolf protections in Montana and Idaho and allow hunting of the predators to resume.

The settlement agreement — opposed by some environmentalists — is intended to resolve years of litigation that have shielded wolves in the Northern Rockies from hunting, even as the predator’s population has sharply expanded.

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Also see Earthjustice withdraws from wolf lawsuit , cites rift among groups in the Missoulian.

Northern Lights Café and Saloon secures liquor license

Commentary, News, ,

Larry Wilson’s column this week in the Hungry Horse News talks about the Northern Lights Café and Saloon’s successful year-long effort to acquire (reacquire, really) a liquor license. He also provides an update on the renovations at the Northern Lights and the Polebridge Mercantile.

I am sure that by now most North Forkers have heard the good news. The Northern Lights Café and Saloon have been granted a full liquor license. It has been a long struggle. The previous owner of the Northern Lights lost the license and the new operators, Reiswigs and O’Haras, had to start over at square one. . .

In the end I suspect the Northern Lights will be the premier North Fork watering hole and eating place. The new owners have cleaned, renovated and retained the backcountry ambiance with good food, service with a smile and involvement in the community.

In addition, Stuart and Flannery have added to the “Polebridge appeal” with the operation of the Polebridge Mercantile. They have continued the terrific bakery, installed an efficient electrical system (solar) and this winter are further improving the Merc itself.

Continue reading . . .