Yellowstone
Greater Yellowstone area whitebark pine strategy
Published
13 years agoon
BOZEMAN – Concerned about threats to whitebark
pine, members of the Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee on March 31
signed the Whitebark Pine Strategy for the Greater Yellowstone Area.
Whitebark pine is currently threatened by insects and diseases.
Impacts from non-native white pine blister rust and native mountain pine
beetle, combined with the effect of altered temperature patterns on beetle
population dynamics, have resulted in significant loss of whitebark pine in
the Greater Yellowstone Area.
“We recognize that the only way for us to
address this issue is through interagency collaboration,” said GYCC chair Steve Kallin. “We have to treat
this problem holistically – it’s a landscape-scale problem. The bugs and
rust don’t stop at an invisible agency boundary.”
Whitebark pine is considered a foundation species of high-elevation
ecosystems in the Greater Yellowstone region. It grows on harsh sites at high elevation and occurs
on about 10 percent of the 24-million-acre area. Whitebark pine is an
important species for a number of reasons.
– Once colonized, it improves conditions on otherwise inhospitable
sites so other plants can grow, increasing biodiversity.
– It provides shelter and cover for wildlife and its large, nutritious
seeds are an important food source for birds, squirrels, bears, and
other mammals.
– It helps capture and retain snow, increasing the amount and duration
of snowmelt in the summer.
The strategy establishes management objectives, sets priorities, and
describes coordination efforts for the agencies that manage public lands in
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Red Rock Lakes and National Elk
Refuges, and the Bridger-Teton, Caribou-Targhee, Custer, Beaverhead-
Deerlodge, Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests.
The culmination of five years of work by professional
ecologists, foresters, and wildlife biologists in the region, the strategy was
developed with collaboration among these agencies as well as others
with an interest in whitebark pine.
Sites proposed for protection and restoration will be prioritized according
to criteria outlined in the strategy.
Recognizing the importance of whitebark in the Greater Yellowstone, the GYCC formed the
Whitebark Pine Subcommittee in 2000. In 2006, as whitebark mortality
increased, the committee worked to map the distribution and mortality of
whitebark and develop a management strategy to maintain whitebark on the
landscape in the GYA.
The strategy demonstrates the commitment of every land
manager in the region to addressing the precarious condition of whitebark in
this ecosystem, Kallin says. “We recognize that actions taken on any jurisdiction affect
the long-term status of this important species throughout the [area].”
The Committee was also the recipient of a 2012 Arbor Day Award, in honor of its contribution to tree planting, conservation and stewardship, the Arbor Day Foundation announced this week.
The Montana, Wyoming and Idaho-based Greater Yellowstone Whitebark Pine Committee is one of 16 individuals and organizations being recognized by the Foundation at the annual Arbor Day Awards, in Nebraska City, Neb., on April 28.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
october, 2024
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Sports
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 28 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
August 26 (Monday) 9:00 am - October 28 (Monday) 12:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm - November 4 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
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Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
Time
August 28 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm - October 28 (Monday) 1:00 pm
Location
Len Hill Park