Four Seasons Resort continues to be a generous partner in the community. Give us an idea of the breadth of efforts your company supports locally.

The resort has long history of connecting its guests to Grand Teton. Can you share a few examples of how the resort fosters an appreciation for wilderness and conservation among its guests?

At Four Seasons we love to share our passion for America's greatest wilderness playground.  Our Wildlife Safari Program provides road-based tours of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and the National Elk Refuge with experienced wildlife biologists.  Our astronomy program utilizes a high-tech telescope to show guests unique views of Grand Teton's night sky.  Recently, we joined the Foundation's effort to renew the Jenny Lake area in Grand Teton, which will greatly improve the hiking experience for our guests and everyone who visits.  Environmental stewardship is always part of our message.

What is something unexpected readers might not know about the resort's general manager, David Bernand?

Our general manager is an avid athlete. In the past two years, he has climbed the Grand twice and finished in the top category in many local competitions. He also leads weekly complimentary spin and boot camp classes for all employees. Though he would love to climb Everest, this is something his wife might put her foot down on.

• 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 her while she breaks trail 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.
• There are currently five packs of wolves that inhabit the park and surrounding lands.  In deep snow, wolves travel in single file lines for energy efficiency.
• 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.
• About 50 pronghorn, which usually migrate out of Jackson Hole for the winter, are trying to survive the winter here this year, mostly on the north end of National Elk Refuge.  Pronghorn are poorly adapted to deep snow, and, based on past attempts by others to winter here, their chances of survival are not good. 
   

Science in the News: The NPS Recommends New Conservation Action for Migratory Species