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 people use and protect this landscape. What started as a relatively small national park eventually be...

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 Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Conservation topics like the politics of grizzly bears or the in...

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 make wildlife migration and movement easier for these iconic Greater Yellowstone species? Virtual ...

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. Between 70-80 percent of our water comes from snowpack in the West. When the snowpack in the mounta...

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 continental United States. As more and more people move to the communities surrounding the Ma...

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: microscopic creatures found in Yellowstone’s geothermal regions that thrive in scalding hot temperat...

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, stewardship, sovereignty, and sustainable practices rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge....

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 Yellowstone Ecosystem needs healthy beaver populations doing their job to help keep this place remarka...

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 the underlying forces behind hydrothermal explosions? Is the caldera waking up? How are th...

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 wildlife ecologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the Unive...

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 National Park series, so we recommend listening to Part 1 first. If you’ve already tuned in to Part 1, ...

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 wildflower symphony of colors. They are key players in the health of the ecosystem, ensuring native pla...

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 compels many people who join the backcountry trail crew in Yellowstone National Park. Being p...