Winter Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park - (716) 228-9510

"Why wilderness? To which, nevertheless, I shall append one answer: because we like the taste of freedom; because we like the smell of danger."Edward Abbey-- from Beyond the Wall

This program is designed for adults who are outdoor enthusiasts that are affiliated with either the University at Buffalo, Earth Spirit Educational Services, Inc. or the Western New York community that are interested in outdoor adventures and field studies in the Rocky Mountains. More specifically, the course will share with participants the ecological legacy of predation by large mega-fauna in Yellowstone National Park. The geographical area of concentration is the NE corner of the Yellowstone National Park, in the famed Lamar Valley where it is the least developed and the most prolific in both predator and prey species. It is also one of the sites of the 1995-96 wolf reintroductions, placing extirpated gray wolves back into the ecosystem that for 70 years was devoid of one of its' apex predators. The long term effects of this reintroduction are beginning to be studied and evaluated in America’s first national park. An overview of Yellowstone history, ecology, wildlife politics, and environmental advocacy will be our major topics.

The group will be based in Silver Gate, Montana, just outside the NE gate of the park, affording us ready access to the best observational sites. There will be hiking, fly fishing, traveling to nearby towns/historic sites/natural sites as well as wildlife observation and photography in order to experience this very unique western environment. Each day, participants will experience wildlife observations, both avian and mammalian, interpretive programs by noted wildlife specialists, photographers, wolf watchers, environmental activists and park biologists. Visits to the more notable sites such as geyser basins, habitat recovery area, wolf reintroduction pens, old wolf dens, lodges and other areas of interest will add further insights into local ecology, history and culture of the Yellowstone ecosystem. Several additional excursions into remote areas of special interest to fly fishermen are also planned. It is expected that participants would be able to take part in moderate hiking at high altitude.

Tags: Eco Tours,Outdoor Recreation,Educational Service