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ECOLOGY OF UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS-YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING
SSC
493 3
Credit hours
Department 716-645-2245
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E-mail: jcallen@buffalo.edu
Course Description
The nature of this course is to integrate the academic
study of unique western ecosystems
and
will provide an opportunity to examine and evaluate wildlife conservation issues
in Yellowstone National Park.
Management of Yellowstone’s natural resources,
especially wolves, sparks significant controversy due to the wide range of
interests in the area. Since its inception, Yellowstone National Park has been
recognized as not only one of the strongholds of wildlife in the US, but a
conservation model for other national parks.
-competence in subject matter and its application to real life situations
-a breadth of knowledge beyond their major areas of study
-integration of the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual aspects of the wilderness experience
-sensitivity to and understanding of one’s own and other cultures
-commitment to responsible participation in the natural environment and
human community
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Yellowstone is one of the most diverse ecological areas in North America. The park and the surrounding lands deserve rigorous protection.
Topics Covered
-outdoor safety-basic outdoor safety as it relates to high
altitude,
very rugged terrain
-Wolf Recovery Project-students will be observing wolves with park biologists usually starting at 5 AM daily
-natural history of
Yellowstone
National Park will be explored from a
natural, geologic, cultural and historical perspective; bird and mammal
identification, alpine ecology and vegetation will be studied
-national parks/forests-nature of national parks and forests in
the US and the wilderness qualities of
-wilderness manners/outdoor ethics- exploring the dominant
paradigms and alternative paradigms of society, respect for natural systems,
living the environmental lifestyle, human responsibilities to the environment
-Piscean capture activities employing primitive, lightweight equipment involving difficult operational techniques and using artificially prepared enticements-a special Yellowstone National Park license to participate in this artistic activity is required
Foggy, cold 5:30 AM wolf den watch-J. Hysert Photo Bear Watch on killed bison-J. Hysert Photo
Outdoor Component
-area to be visited: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming-3,472 square miles (see Yellowstone Fact Sheet)
-car camping in Slough Creek Campground in northeastern Yellowstone National Park known as the Serengeti of North America; we'll be camping in bear country; there are outhouses with no water-no electricity
View of Slough Creek Campground, Yellowstone National Park
wildlife observation including wolf den observations beginning at 5 AM and during day hikes
Download mammal checklist-by McEneaney
-outdoor living with lots of free time to explore the park on your own-be liberated by the wild
There is a heaven and it is fly fishing on the Lamar River-R. Gerhart Photo
Costs
-student fees will include additional activity fee of $400.
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required by April 1, 2012 hold your place
on this trip
-student will provide own outdoor equipment, food & transportation from Buffalo to YNP and return is the responsibility of the student(s), carpooling is highly encouraged; additional grant funding may be available for food expenses
-journal-required daily writing
to include field sightings and observations, may include art, poetry and other
expressions - 60%
-
Educational self-motivation is a must-"classes" in the field are not formal-students should be jumping at the chance to learn
Important Dates
* Non-Refundable Deposit April 1, 2012
*
*
Remaining Activity Fee Due June
1, 2012
Tentative Itinerary at a Glance
Approximate Dates: THE TRIP
July 26 Arrive Slough Creek Campground, northeast part of Yellowstone National Park; camp set up, familiarize with surroundings
July 27-August 8 participate in daily wildlife observations including wolves, bear, bison, elk, eagles, hawks, falcons, and waterfowl, data collection, habitat studies, wildlife observation and anything else the professor/researchers/park personnel deem adventurous.
August 9 Departure
Required Reading
Although this list looks exhaustive, a selected required reading list of scientific literature below should be read BEFORE arriving in Yellowstone. You'll be speaking with rangers and scientists about wolves and the Yellowstone ecosystem-you don't want to sound like a dumbass do you? The scientific articles are hyperlinked are here:
Gray Wolf Restoration in the Northwestern US Large Predators and Trophic Cascades in Terrestrial Ecosystems of Western US
Trophic Downgrading of Planet Earth Restoring Yellowstone's Aspen With Wolves
The Landscape of Fear: Ecological Implications of Being Afraid River Channel Dynamics Following Extirpation of Wolves
Recovering Riparian Plant Communities with Wolves in N. Yellowstone Range Contractions of North American Carnivores and Ungulates
Linking Cougar Decline, Trophic Cascade, and Catastrophic Regime Shift in Zion National Park
Wolves and the Ecology of Fear:Can Predation Risk Structure Ecosystems Linking Wolves and Plants: Aldo Leopold on Trophic Cascades
Film Viewings: Before you arrive in Yellowstone, you should watch:
Valley of the Wolves-click this link to watch the entire program
and
Lords of Nature: Life in a Land of Great Predators-watch trailers here
Required Text:
Decade
of the Wolf: Returning the Wild to
Field Guides
Field Guides may be shared between students (you don't have to buy them all but you must use them); of course, you do not have to buy the same guides I am recommending and you may want to bring other guides depending on your interests, i.e. insects, fungi, etc.
Sibley’s Field Guide to Western Birds
Peterson’s Field Guide to Mammals
Peterson's Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers or
Handbook of Rocky Mountain Plants by Ruth Nelson (The authority!)
Optional book pertinent to Yellowstone wolves:
War Against the Wolf - by Rick McIntyre, Editor
List of Equipment for Trip-The following list is in no way totally complete for individuals with experience in car camping
Camping Necessities
Tent- this item may be shared by a tent
mate but it
should be lightweight and waterproof
Sleeping bag
& pad-
if your sleeping bag has the Little Mermaid on it, don’t bring it; sleeping
bag should be rated at approximately 20o
F and dependable and stuffable
Cooler, Lightweight stove & cooking pots
Dr. Bonners’ Peppermint soap- this is what you’ll use to clean everything; it’s universally
biodegradable and virtually benign in the environment
Toilet tissue- obvious but put it in a zip lock bag to keep it dry
Hiking boots-
you MUST insure that these are
broken in
and waterproofed before you come on this trip
Pocket knife
or multi-tool-
Swiss Army knives are best but personal preference is allowed
Camera-
obvious
BINOCULARS-REQUIRED for bird and mammal study-several high-power spotting scopes will be rented for our group
Sunglasses/sunscreen-
high altitudes are hard on eyes/ high altitudes are hard on skin
Bug Repellent- mosquitos' rule-"deet” repellents work best
Toilet items-
generally a toothbrush, washcloth, small towel is all you really need
Journal-
required for the course; don’t forget pencils
Water purification device/method-
for the back country, a pump filter is preferable or
iodine
tablets; this may be shared with
others-you can also drink off the glaciers or boil your water if you are
suspicious of its cleanliness
Water jug-
1 quart-plastic
Personal first aid kit- your own supply of band aids, moleskin etc
Compass
or gps-
obvious
Small day pack-
since we will be setting up base camp and doing day hikes, bring a small pack to
pack lunch and incidentals
Clothing-
see list-keep them light weight and to a functional minimum-cotton items are
less desirable since they retain water and dry slowly
Food-on your own-try to limit your food choices to less aromatic selections-remember, we are in bear country-NO FOOD SMELLS/NO COOKING OR EATING IN TENTS unless you enjoy the company of 800 lb grizzly bears
Headlamp/flashlight/extra batteries-obvious
Money-so you don't have to call home
Optional Items
fishing gear-ultra-lightweight spinning outfit-2-4 lb test/ultra-lightweight fly rod-2 or 4 weight/waders - you may have never caught and consumed a "wild" trout before. Yellowstone National Park license is required and may be purchased locally in the park and we may have an out-of-park fishing excursion into Montana/Wyoming's great trout waters
Wyoming non-resident/tourist fishing license is required to fish outside the park
Montana non-resident/tourist fishing license is required to fish outside the park
Yellowstone National Park fishing permit is required to fish inside the park
musical instrument-guitar, mandolin, harmonica, fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, singin' voice
No alcohol, tobacco, dope, drugs, guns, spears, brass knuckles, Mace,
fireworks on trip-period
IMPORTANT
Bear Pepper Spray will be provided and each tent WILL have bear spray and each
hiking party WILL carry at least 1 can of bear spray on every excursion
Ashleigh with the big lens Danielle glassing for silvertips
Recommended Clothing List
This is a recommended list; it is a very short one. You may wish to modify this for your own preferences since we are car camping. Remember: keep it functional and light. We are not making a fashion statement here and IT IS COLD IN YELLOWSTONE IN SUMMER TOO!
Shorts-2 pairs
bandana
Socks-3 pairs
hats-1 billed, 1 stocking
Long underwear-polypropylene sandals/tennies
Rain jacket/pants underwear or not
Fleece jacket-doubles as pillow
T shirts, fleece pants, outdoor tights
Explanation
Shorts/long pants-comfortable and unrestrictive to camp/hike in
Rainwear- this is essential gear; it keeps you dry and warm,doubles
as wind protection
Hats- a billed cap of some variety and a stocking cap are necessary
Socks- appropriate socks will make a tremendous difference in your foot
enjoyment level-polypropylene
Polypropylene long underwear- this item is an insulation item and may be
worn externally too-avoid
Sandals/tennies/water shoes-water crossings are common in Yellowstone,
water sandals are good
Fleece/down jacket- it can be cool and windy
at 10,000ft
Handkerchief- good for do-rags, the "biker look," sweat, snot, spills, washrag and potholder
Photo by Ashleigh Baker
SSC 493 ECOLOGY OF UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTS-WIND RIVER RANGE, WYOMING - 2010
WIND RIVER TRIP PHOTO PAGE - 2001, 2003, 2008 & 2010
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