Monument Ridge Aspen Regeneration Study

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Understanding how birds respond to forest fires on their breeding grounds.

A ten-year study of an 11,400-acre prescribed fire project and the effect of forest management practices on bird abundance.

THE PROBLEM

Without regular fires, Wyoming breeding habitats disappear.

Aspen woodlands provide habitat for mule deer, elk and upland game in Wyoming. When fire is excluded, aspen woodlands are taken over by conifers.

This important habitat then disappears.

THE SOLUTION

Conduct prescribed burns and study their impact.

To remove conifers and encourage aspen regeneration, forest managers conduct prescribed burns and mechanical thinning.

How these actions — vs. naturally occurring wildfires — impact non-game species isn’t well understood. Yet. Working together with several organizations, we have established multiple banding stations, conducted bird surveys, and placed game cameras over the 11,000-acre study area to monitor animal habitat use before and after treatment.
RESOURCES
PARTNERS
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Up Next: Hoback River Restoration →
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