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ANSWER: BEARS!
A bloodhound's nose consists of 40 times the olfactory cells of a human's and their scent tracking is so effective their findings are admissable in court. Think Grand Teton's 60 grizzlies and hundreds of black bears can't smell your food and deodorant? Think again.
Essential guidelines for protecting bears (and yourself!)
Black bears and grizzly bears are finished hibernating and are back in Grand Teton with their new cubs! With increased interactions between humans and bears, it is more important than ever for visitors to adopt safe wildlife viewing and camping practices. Watch this video for reminders about how to keep bears wild and people safe!
 | | Video credit: Grand Teton National Park Staff |
Want to help? You can! Grand Teton has nearly 1,000 frontcountry campsites that are filled to capacity during the summer months. Given bears' impressive sense of smell, it is crucial to keep all food and garbage carefully stored when in or around Grand Teton. Through support of Foundation friends, we've installed durable bear-resistant food storage containers in approximately 250 campsites!
Please support this program so that every campsite is equipped with a long-lasting locker. A gift of $1,100 purchases a bear box and the opportunity to recognize your friends or family members with a plaque on the box. | |
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Wildlife Whereabouts
Those of you who will visit Grand Teton this month may not need Wildlife Whereabouts because there are animals EVERYWHERE! To whet your palette, June brings the following in Grand Teton:
- A new wolf pack is denning in the Jackson area and wolf pups from all 6 Grand Teton packs are out learning about the new world around them.
- Osprey are incubating eggs; at 6 weeks, bald eagle nestlings are halfway through their nesting, and loons are passing through on their migration north.
- Moose have calved and are VERY protective of their young. Please be cautious.
- Hibernating rodents, such as Uinta ground squirrels, pine martens, and marmots are active.
- Pikas are becoming more noticeable as the snow continues to recede.
- Neotropical birds, such as ruby crowned kinglets, western tanagers, and hummingbirds have returned.
- The bison herd in Grand Teton is still calving.
Beloved grizzly bear #399 mothered three cubs this spring and her five-year-old daughter, #610, mothered two! They both are raising their cubs near roads, so please drive carefully.
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Photo credit: Gary Pollock |
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Video credit: Suzy Kneeland |
Remember, send us your photos and videos of wildlife in Grand Teton National Park so we can share them with others on Facebook, Twitter, and in these monthly e-mails! |
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In the Spotlight
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Around the world, Unilever provides nearly 400 brands that range from food and household products to personal care items. Sustainability forms the company's core, and it supports a wide range of programs that make life better for everyone.
Unilever improves national parks and touches millions of visitors. In fact, by the end of 2010, support and in-kind gifts will have totaled over $50 million. Recycling at Work has donated 100% recycled plastic, sustainable lumber to more than 200 national parks for boardwalks, docks, fences, and interpretive displays; America's Best Classroom has connected nearly 30,000 Boys and Girls Club kids to interpretive and service-to-the-land activities in national parks; and National Parks America Tour in partnership with Take Pride in America delivers much needed volunteer service to national parks. "Preserving and protecting America's national parks are a key focus of Unilever's commitment to environmental sustainability in the United States," Catherine McVitty, manager of corporate responsibility programs, says. "For nearly two decades, Unilever has provided sustainable solutions to address critical park infrastructure needs and enhance the visitor experience."
Unilever is currently at work in Grand Teton National Park, funding the Youth Conservation Program and Children in Nature. The Foundation's youth programs were chosen when Unilever further focused their efforts in national parks to advance environmental stewardship and health and well-being. The Foundation's programs bring diversity, young people, and outdoor education to Grand Teton and that's right in line with Unilever's goals.
Unilever wants to keep iconic parks pristine and relevant. "We, too, share the vision that the future of the parks lies in the engagement of young people," McVitty says. "They will be the stewards of these precious places." Relevance is a hot topic in the National Park Service today and Unilever understands that engaging young people and diverse groups in the park can be a catalyst for introducing others to these unique places and, therefore, broadening their appeal.
Unilever's good work will enrich Grand Teton National Park in a multitude of ways. Thank you for all you do for America's national parks!
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Summer Events in Grand Teton
The snow is melting and there is a lot to do in Grand Teton this summer! Here is a sampling of a few events you don't want to miss:
- The following events occur daily in Grand Teton through Monday, September 5th:
- Taggart Lake Hike: Hike 3 miles of the scenic Taggart Lake Trail with a park ranger, where a variety of stories are bound to unfold. The hike will last 2 hours and leaves from Taggart Lake Trailhead at 9 am. Please bring water, sunscreen, and rain gear.
- A Walk into the Past: Discover the story of Menor's Ferry Historic District and learn how early settlers crossed the Snake River on a cable ferry. Meet at Menor's Ferry dock at 2:30 pm for this 45 minute adventure!
- Featured Creature: Learn about one of Grand Teton's fascinating wild animals during this 45 minute family friendly program in the Gros Ventre Amphitheater at 7 pm.
- Experiences and Discoveries in Teton-Yellowstone Geologic Research: Dr. Robert B. Smith's distinguished career in studying and interpreting earthquakes, fault zones, and volcanoes--and their impacts on the geologic evolution of northwestern Wyoming--has generated an increased knowledge of the dynamic forces at work in the physical landscape of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Join us on Thursday, June 30th from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center auditorium to hear Bob speak.
- Music in Nature Quintet: The Axiom Brass Quintet plays live music on the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center outdoor terrace on Thursdays and Fridays at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm from June 28th to July 22nd!
Visit this summer's Grand Teton Guide
for more information about events and happenings in Grand Teton.
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Just like the many birds in Grand Teton, we 'tweet'! |
That's right! In addition to Facebook and LinkedIn, Grand Teton National Park Foundation is now on Twitter, as @GrandTetonFdn. Follow us to be in-the-know about all things Grand Teton and to share your thoughts and experiences about this beautiful place.
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Conservation Deserves More Than 2%
 
Support the Earth Friends Challenge to benefit Grand Teton National Park Foundation and help us raise $150,000 by September 30, 2011. Through this challenge grant we hope to encourage more giving to environmental and animal-based organizations, which currently receive only 2% of all charitable giving in the U.S. Make a gift to help us reach our goal to support Grand Teton! |
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 location: 25 S. Willow, Suite 10, Jackson, WY 83001
mailing address : P.O. Box 249, Moose, WY 83012
tel: 307-732-0629 fax: 307-732-0639
e-mail: director@gtnpf.org
   
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