Gore Range Natural Science School

Yellowstone invitational

Those who have experienced a Science School Invitational know that these unique multi-day programs offer a small group of individuals the best in guided natural and cultural history explorations to places of inertest. Each adventure is led by science School staff and features local experts.

Limited to 12 guests, our next Invitational will take place in the northwest corner of Yellowstone. We will base this expedition from an incredible 600-acre private ranch that borders the Yellowstone National Park. With the Gallatin River running through the property and the majestic Tetons framing it, we will explore the geology, animal life, ecology and diverse landscape both on the property and the Park.

View the tentative itinerary

Invitational includes:

4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners, featuring local fresh produce, as available, and healthy choices at each meal
Lodging at the Ranch . Rooms are double occupancy and most have a private bath
Horseback riding
All local guides, interpreters and Science School staff
Entertainment, beer and wine
Some transportation during the Invitational may be available

Not included:

Transportation to and from the Ranch
Guided fishing day is $100 extra

Getting there:

Approximate drive time from Avon is 11 hours.
Flights are available from Denver to Bozeman (1 .25 hours then to Ranch) and to West Yellowstone (30 minute drive to Ranch).

Cost: $1,500/per person.

Space is limited to 12.

This Invitational includes a very full schedule and requires that participants be able to hike 2 – 3 miles round trip .

Please reserve your spot with Natalia Hanks: nataliah@gorerange.org, or 970.827.9725 ext 30.

Citizen Scientists "CAtch" Wildlife

This fall, volunteer Citizen Scientists with the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project “caught” a bounty of wildlife – with the aid of digital cameras. Motion-triggered cameras positioned throughout the I-70 corridor near Vail Pass have photographed elk, deer, cottontail rabbits, pine marten, porcupine, coyote and hikers. The cameras are part of several wildlife monitoring stations located near Shrine Pass, south of I-70 near Vail Pass and along I-70 from the summit of Vail Pass to the west. Since August, Citizen Scientists have spent time in the field downloading images from digital cameras as well as recording any incidental wildlife or tracks they see on their way. Launched in June 2006, the CitizenScience Wildlife Monitoring program is the first of its kind in Colorado.

Spearheaded by the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project (SREP), the Citizen Science Wildlife Monitoring program is part of a greater monitoring effort that SREP is coordinating along I-70 to assess the barrier effect that I-70 has on wildlife. The intent of the Citizen Science program is to collect information about the species present near I-70. Data gathered will tell scientists what species are utilizing these habitats as well as the abundance of those species.

SREP teamed up with the Denver Zoo and Gore Range Natural Science School (GRNSS) to launch this unique effort. The program trained 31 volunteers in June and has an additional 30 volunteers on a waiting list. Program partners are currently assessing how to provide field opportunities for the wealth of volunteers. The next training session is planned for the summer of 2007.

Vail Pass is the site of a proposed wildlife bridge—the first of its kind in Colorado . Congress set aside funds for CDOT to begin an environmental review and preliminary engineering design on the bridge. Citizen Science data will help to find the most effective location for the bridge as well as provide baseline data on the effectiveness and impact of the structure.

“I am proud to be part of a project that is making a contribution to the safety of one of Colorado’s highly traveled roadways while making a contribution to the life and safety of Colorado’s rich wildlife heritage,” said Citizen Scientist Julie McCahan.

“The sheer number of citizens offering to volunteer their time and energy to help us study the impact that roads have on wildlife is a testament to the importance of this issue,” said Monique DiGiorgio of the Southern Rockies Ecosystem Project (SREP).

Funding for the program is off to a solid start with $25,000 from the National Forest Foundation, $5,000 from the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), $6,000 in corporate sponsorships, and $2,000 in individual contributions. In-kind support from the Denver Zoo and Gore Range Natural Science School tops $15,000.

“This is the first opportunity Gore Range Natural Science School has had to connect local citizens to wildlife research,” said Carol Busch, Director of Marketing and Communications. “The program’s popularity has shown how much people want to learn about their backyard forest – especially when it comes to wildlife. The program is a great model for citizen science research and we look forward to creating other opportunities like it throughout Eagle County.”

For more information, how to volunteer, and to access the SREP media room replete with wildlife photos, visit www.RestoreTheRockies.org.

Science on the Green

The first annual Science on the Green golf tournament at Red Sky Ranch was a tremendous success, raising significant funds to support Gore Range Natural Science School youth programs, and providing a new angle on the 'eagle', the 'hole', the 'iron', and more! The very popular "Marmot" (a cousin of the mulligan) allowed teams to improve their handicap and is expected to make an appearance, by popular demand, at the 2nd annual Science on the Green in 2007.

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