Scientific Research in Glacier
Glacier National Park has a proud legacy of research and scientific accomplishment dating back to the period prior to World War II. Although a formal research program did not exist in the Park until the mid 1960's many research projects and investigative surveys were carried out during the first half of the Twentieth Century by independent and academic investigators. The application of knowledge gained through science is essential for effective park management.

Organizational changes during the past three decades have greatly affected the conduct of federally funded research throughout the national park system including Glacier National Park. Today much of this work is done by U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists, several of whom are duty-stationed in the Park. USGS research scientists at the Glacier Field Station are involved with interdisciplinary, regional and multi-agency programs. Many of these are long-term strategic investigations that address high visibility national priorities. Examples include a multi-year regional grizzly bear investigation and one of the nation's premiere Global Climate Change research programs. These scientists are administratively attached to the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center in Bozeman, Montana.

Strong emphasis is placed on scientific collaboration with other agencies at all levels of government, regional Indian tribes and universities. Collaborative endeavors are encouraged through the formation of research partnerships with qualified independent investigators. A wide range of science and resources management activities are also carried out by park specialists. These include short-term problem-solving type investigations, fact-finding studies, inventory and monitoring activities and descriptive types of investigations. Several units have been formed to deal with special programs including a native plant nursery, problem bear relocations, exotic weed control, pest management and campground rehabilitation. Click here for information about conducting research in Glacier National Park.

Recent Science Initiatives in the National Park Service
The NPS recently launched several new science initiatives as part of the Natural Resource Challenge program, a Service-wide effort aimed at bolstering science and resource management throughout the national parks. A key feature of this initiative is the newly established network of Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU's). These units were created to facilitate park science and provide technical assistance to resource managers within designated biogeographic regions. Plans call for the eventual creation of a network of 17 such units nationwide. A prominent feature of the CESU program is establishment of formal linkages with a national network of colleges, universities and non-governmental research organizations. The NPS has placed full-time Research Coordinators at the universities hosting CESU's. Glacier National Park was fortunate to be among the first Parks to benefit from this initiative through establishment of the Rocky Mountains CESU located at the University of Montana in Missoula. Dr. Kathy Tonnessen, the National Park Service Research Coordinator at this unit, facilitates research, technical assistance and outreach programs between affiliated universities and parks throughout the United States with an emphasis on units in the Rocky Mountain cluster.

A further boost to park-based science was provided through the recent inauguration of a Service-wide comprehensive Inventory and Monitoring Program. The biological inventory phase of this initiative was implemented in 1999 to secure basic descriptive information about natural resources occurring throughout the nationwide system of national parks, monuments and historic sites. Glacier National Park received funds to begin this work in 2001. The second phase of the program involves long-term ecological monitoring which will take place under the banner of "Vital Signs Monitoring". Glacier National Park is part of the Rocky Mountain Inventory and Monitoring Network headed by Dr. Mike Britten. Funding to begin Vital Signs Monitoring in the Rocky Mountain Network became available in 2003.

Another initiative gaining momentum under the Natural Resource Challenge program is creation of a national network of Learning Centers. The concept is to provide a support infrastructure to promote scientific research in selected host parks. Special emphasis is given to the dissemination of natural resource information to various "publics". An important theme underlying the Learning Center concept is multidisciplinary collaboration and the involvement of natural resource agencies at all levels of government. Regional Native American tribes and educational institutions are also invited to participate. Implementation of this initiative varies widely among different parks. At some locations existing facilities (i.e., historic structures, unused park housing, etc.) have been converted to Learning Centers. Currently Glacier National Park is using two Mission 66 houses in the headquarters area at West Glacier for offices and space to provide temporary facilities for visiting scientists. The Glacier Park unit, aptly named the "Crown of the Continent Learning Center", has strong ties with the University of Montana and other educational institutions in the region. Dr. Leigh Welling is Director of the Learning Center in Glacier National Park. Dr. Salli Hejl is the Center's Resource Education Specialist.

If you have questions about Science and Nature in Glacier or any other general questions about the park, please e-mail us. A park naturalist will read your email and respond or forward it to the most appropriate park office for response.