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January eNewsletter Features
(Click hyperlinks below to be taken to a specific article)
In the Spotlight -- A huge thanks to our local corporate supporters
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WINTER FUN IN GRAND TETON!
Come on out and cross-country, skate ski or snowshoe the many winter trails in Grand Teton! For a list of suggested winter trails, click here! (Reminder: Snowshoers, please walk adjacent to the groomed ski trail, as the snowshoe treads wreck the grooved tracks!)
Skiers and snowshoers may venture off established trails, but must adhere to seasonal closures (December 15th - April 1st) for the protection of wildlife. For trail maps, closures, and additional winter information, visit the park's website http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/maps.htm or stop by the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.
Call (307) 739-3399 for more details, or visit
http://www.nps.gov/grte/parknews/upload/Winter_Guide_13.pdf
for other activities and information.
Be prepared: A great video to watch before entering winter's harsh elements!
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Winter Safety in Grand Teton National Park
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WILDLIFE WHEREABOUTS
Now that winter has hit after a warm and rainy fall, nearly all animals that migrate have left the park and surrounding areas of Jackson Hole, including the pronghorn on their famous "Path of the Pronghorn" migration. All resident wildlife, which live in or around the park year-round, are drawing on essential winter adaptations for survival. The need to conserve energy is at a premium, making any unnecessary disturbance, for example by humans or dogs, potentially life threatening.
- Moose use their long legs to move through deep snow to areas of preferred forage. Moose calves remain with their mothers through the winter and follow behind them while trail breaking through the snow. Moose also use their highly developed sense of smell to find only the most nutritious parts of shrubs under the snow.
- Hibernating animals, such as black and grizzly bears, benefit from deepening snows, which provide better insulation.
- Bison use their massive heads, thick skin, and muscular necks to move snow from side to side, creating craters where they can access buried forage.
- As days gradually lengthen, ravens, bald eagles, and great horned owls -- some of the area's earliest nesters -- begin courtship activities.
- Wolverines, Canada lynx, and wolves remain highly active, using large, snow-adapted feet to help move through the environment.
- Like the mother moose and her offspring, wolves also travel in single file lines through deep snow for efficiency.
- The American dipper, also known as the water ouzel, remains highly active, seeking areas of open, moving water where they bob on rocks between dives for aquatic insects.
- Teton range bighorn sheep hunker down on small, high elevation ridges blown free of snow. Please obey posted closures designed to protect them during winter, and give them a wide berth if you are lucky enough to happen them in other areas.
 | | Photo credit: Howard and Cheryl Jones of The Spotting Scope |
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A special thanks to our many local supporters!
As more companies understand the positive impact national parks have on our country, they see a way to creatively engage consumers while also showcasing their efforts. A special thanks to our local corporate sponsors, who as members of our local community, see the impact national parks have first hand, and generously support wildlife protection, the environment, trail restoration, and youth engagement, to name a few. These local corporate donors provide cash and in-kind gifts that make our work in Grand Teton more sustainable and highly visible.   Stay up-to-date on more of our partners' great contributions and involvements! Now you can find and follow our corporate supporters in a central location on Twitter. Check out our new list of Foundation Supporters here! |
GRAND TETON TRIVIA
Q: How large is the Teton Range?
A: About 40 miles long and 10 to 15 miles wide, around half the size of Long Island, New York.
Q: How old are the Tetons?
 | | Click for more info on GTNPF Wildlife Research and Protection |
A: They are 7 to 10 million years old, making them the youngest mountain range in the Rocky Mountains. The rest of the rockies are more than 50 million years old. (In comparison, the Appalachain Mountains began to rise about 300 million years ago).
Q: Teton County, which includes Grand Teton National Park, is 2,697,000 acres. What percent do you think is public land?
A: 97%
Q: How many species of mammals live in Grand Teton National Park? And which is the largest?
A: 61. The American bison, weighing up to 2,000 pounds!
Trivia from: Craighead, Charlie. Grand Teton Trivia. Helena, Montana: Riverbend Publishing, 2009. |
ACCESS INFORMATION ON ALL OF GRAND TETON'S TREASURES
The Foundation is proud to have funded Discover Grand Teton, an interactive educational website with resources to engage park-lovers of all ages.
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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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