Date: August 26, 2008
Contact: Al Nash, 307-344-2015
Contact: Stacy Vallie, 307-344-2015
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2008 08-074
Al Nash or Stacy Vallie (307) 344-2015
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YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK NEWS RELEASE
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Yellowstone To Begin Native Vegetation Project
Yellowstone National Park staff members are beginning a pilot project to restore former agricultural fields to native vegetation species that will benefit pronghorn antelope and other wildlife habitat. The project will be focused in the park along the Old Yellowstone Trail/ Yellowstone River corridor northwest of Gardiner, Montana.
The first phase of the project will begin with 22 acres of land being fenced. The fence will remain in place for approximately 10 years to keep wildlife out and allow the necessary work and time needed for native plants to re-establish. If funds allow, another two pilot areas totaling approximately 25-30 acres will be fenced next year. This project is the result of recommendations from a cooperative workshop sponsored by the National Park Service, Gallatin National Forest, and the MSU Center for Invasive Plant Management.
Exhibits discussing Native American and agricultural history of the area; the 1920s and 1930s acquisition of the land for low-elevation wildlife habitat; and the pilot restoration project are being developed and will be installed near the fenced area in the coming year.
Interested parties are invited to visit the site and learn more about details of the project on Monday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m.
Meet in front of the Heritage and Research Center in Gardiner (next to the school), and follow in your vehicle to an area near the site.
For more information, please contact Mary Hektner, at 307-344-2151.
-www.nps.gov/yell -
