Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

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A short weekly talk about the animals of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, sponsored by the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary


    • Mar 11, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 15m AVG DURATION
    • 47 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

    Episode 47: Red Lodge Dark Skies and Light Pollution

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 50:33


    We are honored to sit with such an incredible panel today to discuss our night skies. Listen as Jo Ann Eder, Theresa Whistler and Jeremy Battles describe the creation of a group called Red Lodge Dark Skies (RLDS), the goals and achievements of the group, what it takes to become a certified dark sky area, the importance of reducing light pollution for animals and humans, and what you can do to get involved and help out. Remember to look up!   Resources: International Dark Skies website: DarkSky.org Red Lodge Dark Skies Facebook page: facebook.com/RedLodgeDarkSkies Calendar of Events for Whistler Observatory: HerosSteam.org Citizen Science opportunities: darksky.org/news/globe-at-night-2023/ Dark Skies lighting available at Lowes: lowes.com/pl/Dark-sky--Outdoor International Dark Sky Week (April 2-8, 2024): darksky.org/what-we-do/events Email to get on the mailing list for RLDS: HerosSteamCenter@gmail.com   

    Episode 46: Northern Rockies Research and Educational Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2022 67:07


    In this episode, we bring on Mat Seidensticker, director and founder of the Northern Rockies Research and Education Services, the non-profit that we learned about in our last episode.  In this episode, however, we brought on the Director to gain a bigger picture of how a science-based non-profit works, what other projects they have going on, their partnership with MPG ranch, what DNA barcoding is, and so much more.  Mat also shares with us a crazy story from the field as well as some ways that you can help the project, and our climate!    Resources: MontanaMothProject.org - this is where you can contact Mat and Marian “Wilted Wings” A Hunter's Fight for Eagles” by Mike McTee MPGRanch.com   Ways you can help: Contact the Montana Moth Project (through their website, to tell them you would like to get involved!) Plant wildflowers and let your yard go wild! Post pictures of moths you take (and other insectivores!) on iNaturalist  Join a mothing night! Learn how to do it, and then you could set up your own and contribute to the data collection. (Mothing nights happen often in the summers at Montana Audubon Center and ZooMontana) Sign up for the Montana Moth Project Newsletter so you will receive news when new community science opportunities come up!

    Episode 45: Montana Moth Project

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 72:22


    In this month's episode, we have a fun conversation with Marian Kirst. If you have never taken a second to think about moths, please stop and listen to this episode. Have your mind blown! She works for the Montana Moth Project, a flagship program of the Northern Rockies Research and Educational Services, and is here with her inspiring passion to open your minds to how cool these little creatures are, their importance as pollinators, and how they may be affected by climate change.   Simple ways you can help moths: Reduce your light pollution (only have lights on when needed, shield your lights so they are pointed down, change your light bulbs) Post photos of moths you see on iNaturalist Come out for citizen science projects, like mothing nights run by Montana Moth Project at the Audubon Center in Billings (contact Marian for more details) Resources from the podcast: MontanaMothProject.org Colorado State University and their C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity (Where MMP collection is stored)  Chuck Heart, Macro moth specialist Peterson Field Guide  “Moths of Western North America” by Jerry A. Powell and Paul A. Opler Moth Photographers Group Website (Maps where moths are tracked, and pictures to help with identification)  Pacific Northwest Moths Website  Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission (Run Moth Week each year) Moths and Moth Watching Facebook Group Research article on clothes moths

    Ferruginous Hawks and the Climate Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2022 60:59


    For this episode, we brought in Ellis Juhlin from Yellowstone Public Radio to talk about her experiences researching the lesser-known ferruginous hawk, and what she has noticed about the effects of a changing climate on this species and their habitat.   Photo Credit: Ellis Juhlin and High Country News    Resources: Hawk Watch International Boise State Raptor Research Center Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey UM Bird Ecology Lab Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary Ferruginous Hawk Species Page   With thanks to Todd Katzner and Natasha Hadden

    hawks climate crisis yellowstone public radio
    Episode 43: Animal Jobs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 47:12


    This week is National ZooKeeper Week, so we have brought on Animal Educator, Jess Smallwood, and Keepers, Izzy Sommerdorf and Mason Williams from the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary in Montana. Listen as we discuss and compare the variety of jobs you can have working with animals, and dive into the lesser-known challenges and unique benefits of the field. 

    Episode 42: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 29:29


    Our guest this episode is Ben Daley, Program Director from the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation. Gary and Eden discuss stewardship of our wild lands and how the A-B Wilderness fits into Custer National Forest and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 41: Bison

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2021 34:27


    Bison are one of the most iconic animals of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and for good reason. They are the national mammal of the United States and the largest animal in North America. They also have a dark — but successful — conservation story. Joining Gary and Eden to discuss the history, conservation, and management of bison in America is Dr. Chris Geremia, the lead bison biologist for Yellowstone National Park. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 40: Wildlife Law and Accreditation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2021 45:16


    Can you keep a kangaroo as a pet? Why do Montana and Arizona have different laws? What does accreditation mean for a wildlife sanctuary or a zoo? Gary and Eden discuss all of this and more, and two distinguished guests join them to answer even more questions: Vernon Weir, Director of the American Sanctuary Association, and Jeff Ewelt, Executive Director of ZooMontana. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 39: Red Foxes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2021 52:36


    We haven't talked about red foxes since episode 17, way back in the "Two Minutes" days for this podcast. Today, we interview fox researcher Patrick Cross and discuss behaviors, genetics, the trickster foxes of legend, and much more. We dedicate this episode to Rex, our 12-year-old fox who passed away shortly after the interview was recorded. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 38: The Bears Are Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 22:45


    It's springtime, which means the bears are awake. It is also time to introduce Gary's new co-host, Eden Wondra, the Education Manager from the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. In this episode, Gary and Eden are joined by Kylie Kembel, a Bear Management Technician for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to revisit a subject we discussed back in episode 3. This time, though, with our new long format, we have time to talk about bear safety, biology, "problem bears," bear encounters, and much more. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 37: About This Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2020 14:57


    This episode is a history of the podcast and what it is. This is our first crossover episode, appearing both here in audio form and on YouTube in video form. That makes it a video about a podcast, which is — in itself — an episode of that podcast. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel for extra video content. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 36: How Animals End Up In Sanctuaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2020 43:00


    One of the most common questions we get at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is, "Why is that animal here?" That's often a more complicated question than you'd expect. In this episode, Gary and Courtney are joined by Laurie Wolf, Acting Education Bureau Chief for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to talk about rehabilitation and wildlife Sanctuaries. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. This episode is sponsored by Greater Montana Realty.

    Episode 35: Chronic Wasting Disease

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2020 20:21


    Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, has spread over most of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and is showing no signs of slowing down. In this episode, Gary and Courtney talk about what CWD is, how it spreads, and how it may affect you. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. This episode is sponsored by Greater Montana Realty.

    Episode 34: Wolves

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2019 20:48


    We have shed the restrictions of our old 2-minute radio show, and can now cover subjects in much greater depth. In this first episode with the new full-length format, we talk about wolves, from all of the "big bad wolf" legends through today's modern wolf management issues. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary. This episode is sponsored by Greater Montana Realty.

    Episode 33: Wild Turkeys

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2019 4:57


    Ben Franklin said of the turkey, “He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage.” That may be so, but when you feed them in town, problems can develop... The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 32: Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2019 4:13


    As we learn more about wildfires and their effects on ecosystems, we are changing the way we deal with them. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 31 - How Animals Get Here

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2018 2:54


    How do wild animals end up living in a wildlife sanctuary instead of roaming free? In this episode, Gary looks at how it happens and what we can do to prevent it. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 30: Western Screech Owl

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2018 3:36


    In this episode, we talk about a mighty little predator called the Western Screech Owl, whose call isn't quite what you'd expect it to be. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 29: Bats

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2018 3:27


    For this episode, we're wrapping up bat week (and recording on Halloween!), so the obvious subject is the bats of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem! The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 28: Raccoons and Rabies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2018 3:43


    Raccoons are adorable. They can also be pests. But should we fear them? Are they just waiting outside to give us rabies? Let's find out... The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 27: Red-Tailed Hawks

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2018 3:11


    If Western movies have taught us anything, it's what an eagle sounds like. But that sound most movies use isn't really an eagle. It's a different American icon: the red-tailed hawk. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 26: Mountain Lions

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2018 3:31


    The biggest wildcat in the country may be called the cougar, panther, painter, mountain lion, puma, or catamount. No matter what you call them, they are amazingly efficient predators. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 25: When Migration Goes Wrong

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2018 4:17


    Migration routes may be instinctive or they may be learned. What's the difference? What happens if things go wrong? And what if a black vulture shows up in Red Lodge, Montana? The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 24: Hyperphagic Bears

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2018 4:19


    Hibernation time is approaching, and the bears are eating everything in sight. Join us for a chat about hyperphagia and some news about the Sanctuary's new education exhibits. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 23: Quoth the Ravens

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2018 3:39


    Our "Talk Like a Pirate Day" episode discusses some extremely smart birds with some surprising behaviors. Yep. It should have been ravens on the pirates' shoulders. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 22: Animals Changing Their Environment

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2018 4:28


    Some animals adapt well to changing ecosystem. Others take things in their own paws and make the changes in their environment all by themselves, intentionally or not. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 21: West Nile Virus

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2018 4:13


    The West Nile Virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos, is all over the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Today we talk about what it is, how it spreads, and what to do about it. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 20: Animals With the Wrong Names

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2018 3:46


    Jellyfish aren't fish; sea horses aren't horses; flying foxes aren't foxes. We also have some animals here in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem that got the wrong names. The 2 Minutes in the Yellowstone Ecosystem podcast is a production of the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Episode 19: Wolverines

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2018 3:38


    They may not have adamantium claws, but this largest terrestrial member of the weasel family is still a fascinating and impressive animal! Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 18: Lagomorphs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2018 3:40


    Is it a rodent? No, it's a lagomorph! Join us for a discussion about rabbits, hares, picas, and washing your mouth out with soap. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 17: Red Foxes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2018 4:37


    Red foxes, the smallest wild canines in our ecosystem, are quite different from their larger cousins, the wolves and coyotes. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 16: North American Cheetahs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2018 3:18


    The predecessor of today's modern cheetah, the fastest land animal, roamed the Montana and Wyoming plains as recently as 12,000 years ago. Learn more about us on Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 15: Rattlesnakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2018 4:16


    There are definitely snakes in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. There's just one that's dangerous to humans, though. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 14: Great Horned Owl Ears

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2018 3:47


    Asymmetrical ears and feathers modified for silent flight are just two of the factors that make great horned owls some of the most fearsome predators of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.  Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 13: Bald Eagles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2018 4:36


    What better subject for the week of America's Independence Day than the conservation success story of the bald eagle? Our national bird came close to extinction, but concerted efforts have them back, strong and proud. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    bald eagles america's independence day
    Episode 12: Training

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2018 3:50


    Animal training in zoos & wildlife sanctuaries isn't about performing tricks for an audience: it's about making the animals' lives healthier, happier, and safer. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 11: Coyotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2018 5:04


    Coyotes are amazingly adaptable and resilient, and despite all attempts to wipe them out, they have not only survived, but thrived. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 10: Turkey Vultures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2018 3:01


    These much-maligned icons of the American West are only part-time residents of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, but they fill a critical ecological niche. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 9: Wildlife Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2018 3:57


    The recent spate of injuries in Yellowstone Park highlights the need to be aware of your surroundings around the big mammals of this ecosystem. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 8: Behavioral Enrichment

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2018 3:59


    At a wildlife sanctuary, it's important to keep the animals both physically and mentally healthy, and behavioral enrichment is one of our key tools. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 7: Swainson's Hawks

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2018 3:59


    Masters of migration, Swainson's Hawks connect our Yellowstone ecosystem with one over 6,000 miles away in Argentina. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 6: Porcupines

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2018 3:22


    Porcupines are the second-largest rodent in the Yellowstone ecosystem, and they fill a very important niche. Today's episode is all about the porcupines! Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 5: What is the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2018 3:37


    We've spent the last four episodes talking about aspects of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. This week, we talk about what that really means. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 4: Bobcat vs Lynx: Which is which?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2018 4:09


    The greater Yellowstone ecosystem is one of the few places where you can find both bobcats and lynxes in the wild. What's the difference? How can you tell which is which? Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 3: The Bears are Up — Basic Bear Safety

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 3:14


    Bears of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem are digging out of their dens and blinking at the bright spring sunlight. This week, we talk about hibernation and bear safety. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.  

    Episode 2: Don’t Feed the Wildlife

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2018 2:58


    We all love seeing wildlife, especially pretty songbirds at our bird feeders. But should we be feeding other wildlife? Absolutely not! In fact, it may even be illegal! Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.

    Episode 1: Return of the Sandhill Cranes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2018 3:41


    Even as snow continues to fall, signs of spring are in the air in the Yellowstone ecosystem, and one of the biggest, loudest signs of spring is the annual return of the sandhill cranes. Learn more about us on the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary website.  

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