conservation

As Montanans consider their future with grizzly bears, University of Montana scientists are helping inform the social, ecological and policy aspects of the dialogue.

Using a no-notice amendment, the Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission voted to eliminate quotas that biologists wanted to keep black bear populations from declining.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed new requirements for recovering Canada lynx populations that could lead to delisting within 20 years, but the effects of climate change may prevent that.

A team of scientists led by the University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station and the Karuk Tribe of Northern California recently discovered blooms of toxin-producing cyanobacteria in apparently pristine streams.

The plan aims to create genetic connectivity between populations by translocating three-to-six bears per generation in the GYE and trying to cut down on attractants from humans that can cause bears to be killed when they no longer fear humans.

Kelli Hess writes, "Our current linear economic system is designed so that the majority of resources are extracted, manufactured, sold, used and discarded."

Arlene Montgomery writes, "Bull trout are in a precarious situation in the Swan Valley, non-native lake trout and mysis shrimp pose a threat in Holland Lake. Lack of clean water shouldn't be another hazard they have to navigate."

Mike Garrity writes, "The timber industry already has access to all roaded lands. Don’t let Tester give them categorical exclusions to log roadless lands too."

The National Park Service signed a five-year agreement with the nonprofit American Forests to help restore whitebark pine throughout the western U.S.

Changes to Missoula County's solid waste regulations will widen the bear buffer zone around the city limits and phase in the requirement of bear-resistant trash bins over the next three years.