The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem encompasses some of the earth's most cherished wilderness and wildlife. Roughly the size of West Virginia this special land is still predominantly wild. The 18-million acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the largest, relatively intact temperate zone ecosystems left on Earth. Straddling Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem includes Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, portions of seven surrounding national forests, three national wildlife refuges, and state and private lands.

In the heart of this area is Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park. Originally designated for human enjoyment it holds the planet's most diverse and intact collection of geysers and hot springs, drawing more visitors from around the world than any other park. Yellowstone National Park is also the largest most intact ecosystem in the contiguous Continental United States. It now harbors populations of many of the species that were present when the first settlers arrived and began to take away their habitats every where else. The park is a remnant refuge for hundreds of wildlife species, from endemic micro-organisms inhabiting acidic springs to 300 species of birds including the rare trumpeter swans, the largest herds of elk, free-roaming bison, pronghorn antelope, grizzly bears and the recently introduced wolves.

Wildlife and Human Land Use Conflict:

The icons of wild America have safe haven only within the park boundaries, which are too small for wildlife that historically needed to be able to range across the entire continent. Human land use activities such as livestock conflicts prevent them from expanding their range on many adjacent public lands. When apex predators like wolves, grizzly bears and cougar cross the park border they are considered livestock “marauders” and are destroyed.

Do you know that in the last ten years government agencies have killed 550 wolves in the northern Rockies because of fear of predation on livestock? Are you aware that substantial numbers of grizzlies are still killed or moved each year from what otherwise would be prime habitat near Yellowstone National Park? Do you know that during the winter of 2005-2006, close to 900 of the 4,900 bison in the park were sent to slaughter by the Park Service for the Department of Livestock from pressure by the livestock industry, which wants to keep the bison numbers as low as possible and inside Yellowstone because of alleged fear of brucellosis.

We Can Resolve the Conflict:

For years, environmental groups have tried to compel government agencies to close controversial grazing allotments but the livestock producers have too much political clout. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) took a market based approach at resolving the conflict. By acknowledging that grazing allotments have economic value and paying accordingly, NWF has leaped over the political hurdles. Purchasing grazing leases and retiring the allotments while allowing the rancher to use the money to purchase other allotments not in conflict with wildlife is a win-win solution for livestock producers as well as for conservationists. The goal is NOT to get rid of all livestock grazing on public lands. The focus is on grazing allotments that experience chronic conflict with wildlife. As it turns out, in most of those situations, the rancher has an incentive to sell because the wildlife conflict is hurting his ability to raise livestock profitably. The retired allotments virtually increases the boundary between the park and surrounding public lands, allowing natural habitat restoration, protection of wildlife and increased natural productivity on lands that were once grazed by sheep and cattle.

The Immediate Conservation Goal:

Twenty two allotments totaling 300,000 acres on some of the finest wildlife habitat in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem have been retired. This has prompted the Western Alliance for Nature to join forces with NWF on a new and even bigger project to retire the 180,000 acre Bacon Creek/Fish Creek allotment in northwestern Wyoming. As shown on the map, this is a huge area located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest encompassing nearly the entire drainage of the upper Gros Ventre River. Its proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and the Teton Wilderness along with its assemblage of wildlife make it an integral piece of the Greater Yellowstone core conservation complex.

This land is incredibly rich with wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, mountain lions, elk, moose and bighorn sheep. Researchers have identified more than 50 individual grizzly bears using this area in recent years. The upper Gros Ventre has been used continuously by wolves since at least 2000. As of early 2007, three packs are using the area.

Large carnivores are attracted to this area by its outstanding prey base. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department estimates these allotments contain more than 50,000 acres of critical winter range for elk and moose. Several hundred bighorn sheep use this area, and biologists speculate that more would inhabit the area if competition with livestock was reduced.

Unfortunately these allotments have been the scene of considerable strife between livestock and wildlife. In fact, the largest compensation claim ever submitted to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department was for the Bacon Creek/Fish Creek allotments. In recent years, there have been 36 confirmed livestock kills by grizzlies on these allotments. Wolves have also killed cattle on these allotments, and in response, government agents killed two wolves. Resolving the conflict is of the utmost urgency and an imperative retirement priority.

It will cost $450,000 to retire the Bacon Creek/Fish Creek allotments. At about $2.50 per acre this has to be one of the best conservation bargains that can be found today. Don’t pass up this bargain of an opportunity to satisfy your passion for conservation. The magnificent wildlife of North America and our American natural heritage need your help. Together, we can protect nearly 500,000 acres of one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural ecosystems in the United States and leave our children and the off spring of America’s wildlife a monumental conservation legacy.

The Western Alliance for Nature

Send checks to:
Western Alliance for Nature,
PO Box 1041, Malibu CA 90265

and designate your donation to “Yellowstone”

For more information call: 310-456-0611 or email: director@wanconservancy.org