Voices of Greater Yellowstone

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...

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 a Sandhill crane. Sandhill cranes are seasonal visitors to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. So, wha...

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 ...

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. 2025 was full of assaults on our public lands. From proposed selloffs and protec...

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...