This article was originally published in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Superlatives abound when describing the natural wonders of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). It is routinely described as “one of the largest nearly intact temperate ecosystems on Earth” and is renowned for the geological wonders, abundant wildlife, and scenic vistas of Yellowstone and Grand […]
[…] than 21,000 miles of trails are in need of repair across the system. Just last month, an aging water pipeline in the Grand Canyon failed, leading to water shortages. In Yellowstone, park officials recently closed a bridge near Old Faithful due to structural concerns. Why such neglect? It all comes down to incentives. Politicians love to cut ribbons on new parks […]
[…] on new parks or expand existing units, but mundane projects like upgrading leaky wastewater systems or fixing crumbling trails and other infrastructure fall to the wayside. Today, Yellowstone alone has more than half a billion dollars in unmet maintenance needs, including 10 wastewater systems in need of replacement. For years, PERC, where I now […]
[…] THE FULL REPORT Summary Montana’s Paradise Valley is a rural landscape with deep-rooted ranching traditions, scenic views, and ample recreational opportunities located at the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by national forest lands, Paradise Valley and its ranching community support a range of wildlife including elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn […]
[…] and advancing today, albeit sometimes slowly. Second, we did not fully recognize that even when well-identified markets are not present—say, for wolves to live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—market forces can still come into play, and sometimes in unexpected ways. While there is no formal market where buyers and sellers can exchange protection rights […]
[…] clean water, or open spaces. The ways these public resources are connected to private lands, however, are not always obvious. Consider a few examples. In the Greater Yellowstone region, recent research has revealed the extent to which publicly managed elk, deer, and other species use private lands for habitat—particularly large ranches and farms. Using […]
[…] testify at congressional hearings and to brief officials at the Department of the Interior and other agencies. We are partnering with national park superintendents, including at nearby Yellowstone, to improve park management and address the overdue maintenance of our most treasured lands. Overseas, you will find our ideas in action in Africa, helping preserve […]
[…] expand the range of sectors that support it.” ©Jim Peaco/YNP Bearly listed? Despite the Fish and Wildlife Service’s assertion that Endangered Species Act protections for the Greater Yellowstone grizzly are no longer needed or necessary, debate over whether to delist the bears rages on. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard oral arguments […]
A key ingredient in the standard Covid-19 tests was found in Yellowstone’s hot springs decades ago. Here’s what Yellowstone’s next big discovery could mean for the future of national parks.
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Photo courtesy of Scott Taylor. This article was originally published in Fox News Opinion. Sewage spilling into waterways in Yosemite. Water pipes leaking in the Grand Canyon. Run-down trailers housing staff in Yellowstone. Set against the grandeur of national park landscapes across the country, these images make no sense. Yet […]