Voices of Greater Yellowstone

Grand Teton National Park may be known for its dramatic peaks and postcard views, but the story didn’t stop once the park was established. In many ways, that’s when a whole new chapter began. Since obtaining its national park status, the park has been shaped by decades of change—expanding boundaries, growing visitation, wildlife management, historic preservation, and ongoing debates about how peop...

Grand Teton National Park is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve visited. The peaks are stunning, the wildlife is abundant, and the lakes and rivers tie it all together. Still, as iconic as the Tetons are, the story behind the park is a lot more complicated—and a lot more interesting—than most people realize. Before it became a national park, this landscape was shaped by Indi...

Medusahead. Black Henbane. Dyer’s woad. Ventenata. Yellow starthistle. Heavy metal bands, or noxious weeds found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem? We’re all pretty familiar with the common weeds that make their appearance in our yards and hometowns. Despite their status, I’m still a fan of dandelions. But what makes a noxious weed, a noxious weed?  It’s a surprising issue found here in the Gre...

Have you ever heard what sounds like a prehistoric call on the air? It’s one of my favorite sounds that signals spring’s arrival in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. One of my favorite questions to ask friends, or just people I meet in general, is "What’s your favorite bird?" I’m usually met with a long groan at the impossible nature of the question. Many times, the answer I receive is...

The vast public and private lands that make up Greater Yellowstone are crisscrossed with miles upon miles of fences. While fences aren’t inherently bad—and are often necessary in certain areas to keep wildlife off roads, livestock contained, and property boundaries visible—they create barriers that fragment wildlife habitat. What happens when wildlife can’t reach seasonal habitats—and how can we m...

I want you to think of your very favorite spot on public lands.  Is it a local backcountry camping site? A trail you love to hike with your friends and family? A secret location in Yellowstone National Park where you find solitude? Now, could you imagine that special spot sold off to the highest bidder and no longer accessible?  Today, this is a very real threat. Our public lands are under attack....

If you live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, or have visited during the winter months, you know just how absolutely magical this place is with a thick blanket of snow. Whether you’re out skiing, snowshoeing or admiring it from your cozy fireplace window, a snowy winter in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the best. Snow plays a more crucial role in this ecosystem than you could imagine. Be...

Wildlife crossings are amazing.  They’re one of the greatest tools in the toolbox when it comes to preserving migration and movement corridors in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem while keeping drivers safe on the road. They’ve been proven to reduce wildlife vehicle collisions by up to 90 percent , sometimes even more. It seems like a no-brainer, win-win solution.  Well, what may appear to be a si...

Just northwest of Yellowstone National Park rise two remarkable mountain ranges home to a host of iconic wildlife, the headwaters of significant river systems, and world-class recreation opportunities. Encompassed in the 3.1-million-acre Custer Gallatin National Forest, these are the Madison and Gallatin mountain ranges.  The Madison and Gallatin ranges are some of the wildest places left in the c...

Welcome back to part 2 of our thermophiles in Yellowstone conversation! If you haven’t tuned in to part 1 first, I recommend pausing this episode and hopping into the previous one to learn the basics about the terrific thermophiles.  I’m excited to continue our conversation with Dr. Eric Boyd and dive deeper into the world of thermophiles. Did you know that a thermophile species discovered in Yell...

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is known for a lot of big things. Charismatic megafauna like bears and bison, expansive forests as far as the eye can see, and mountain ranges that seem to touch the sky are all found in this unique region. However, did you know that the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is also home to some of the most fascinating microbes found on the planet? Enter thermophiles: mic...

Is there any fish species in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem more iconic than the Yellowstone cutthroat trout? While the name conjures imagery of a ruthless nature, these fish are called cutthroats due to the distinct red markings found along their jawline and gills. Yellowstone cutthroat trout are a keystone species in the region, providing food to numerous species including bears, otters, ospr...

Before public lands were even a concept, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem was, and continues to be, stewarded by Indigenous Peoples. In short, public lands are Native Lands. In today’s world, many current public land management policies exclude or marginalize Indigenous roles and input. In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond, a growing movement is pushing to restore Indigenous connection...

In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond, beavers are experiencing a bit of a renaissance. These large aquatic rodents are critical ecosystem engineers and play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change and strengthening wildlife habitat. However, decades of rampant trapping and views of beavers as a nuisance have decreased their numbers across the country.  The Greater Yellowstone...

In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond, beavers are experiencing a bit of a renaissance. These large aquatic rodents are critical ecosystem engineers and play a role in mitigating the effects of climate change and strengthening wildlife habitats. However, decades of rampant trapping and views of beavers as a nuisance have decreased their numbers across the country.  The Greater Yellowston...

What makes Yellowstone bison special? Sure, they’re the largest herd of bison found in the United States, but why are they the best bet for restoring bison across the country? Is it the fluffiest fur, the pointiest horns, or something else? In this episode, we’ll dive into why Yellowstone bison matter.  Joining us again on the podcast is the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s wildlife program manager...

What happens beneath Yellowstone is vast and varied. One of the most interesting geological phenomena found here is hydrothermal explosions. While they may not have a timetable like some of the iconic geysers, or the breathtaking colors of some pools, 2024’s sky-high event at Biscuit Basin put hydrothermal explosions on the map.  Reading about this unpredictable encounter got me thinking: what are...

What would Greater Yellowstone be like without the grizzly bear? Once upon a time, we were close to answering that question. Today, these grizzly bears represent one of the greatest conservation success stories. Going forward, we want to make sure that grizzlies can continue to thrive on the landscape long into the future. In Greater Yellowstone, figuring out the next steps in grizzly bear conserv...

Bats elicit many emotions from us – fear, intrigue, aversion, adoration. These pint-sized flyers often go unnoticed, yet they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.  From their incredibly unique adaptations to their contributions to pest control, bats are truly nature’s unsung heroes. In Part 2, we’re joined again by Dr. Riley Bernard, an applied wildlif...

Bats elicit many emotions from us – fear, intrigue, aversion, adoration. These pint-sized flyers often go unnoticed, yet they play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. From their incredibly unique adaptations to their contributions to pest control, bats are truly nature’s unsung heroes. We’re joined by Dr. Riley Bernard, an applied wildlife ecologist and As...

Yellowstone National Park holds the distinction of being the United States' first national park. What does it mean to be the first? What was a national park in the 19th century, and does it hold the same definition today? We’ll answer those questions and more as we dive into how Yellowstone became the park we know and love today. This episode is the second part of our History of Yellowstone N...

Yellowstone National Park holds the distinction of being the United States' first national park. What does it mean to be the first? What was a national park in the 19th Century, and does it hold the same definition today? We’ll answer those questions and more as we dive into how Yellowstone became the park we know and love today. On this episode, we sit down with Alicia Murphy who is the park...

It’s no secret that Greater Yellowstone contains some of the most beautiful wildflower landscapes in the world. In late spring and early summer, fields explode with yellow, purple, pink, and many more vibrant hues found in our native blooming plants. We can thank our native pollinators for providing such a show. However, Greater Yellowstone’s pollinators are responsible for more than just a wildfl...

Wolves in Greater Yellowstone represent one of the greatest conservation success stories. Once absent from the ecosystem, a reintroduction nearly 30 years ago brought back this keystone species to the landscape. Today, Yellowstone wolves are renowned across the world and represent a significant economic driver through wildlife-watching and tourism, generating an estimate $82 million annually. Thei...

Thanks to that little glowing box in our hand, we are constantly inundated with heavy news, social media updates, or the fact that you forgot to do Wordle again. Have you ever just wanted to chuck it into the trash and head out to your nearest trail or place of solitude? Maybe find some respite among the trees, enjoying the simplicity of nature. From my conversation today, I believe that’s what co...