Naturalists
Winter Plant Adaptations
Winter Plant Adaptations The first sign of fall is often associated with dying gardens and colorful forests, but not all trees change colors and wildflowers die. What causes the leaves to change? Which plants will come back next spring? Over time, plants have adapted to their environment, and in the Sawtooths especially, these adaptations are […]
Winter for an Elk
Have you seen elk in the winter? Elk have many adaptations to help them get through the cold winter months.
Sawtooth Stories: Robin Garwood, Wildlife Biologist
The Alpine Examiner December 1, 2021 Naturalist Blog Getting to the heart of what matters in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Sawtooth Stories: Robin Garwood, Wildlife Biologist The Sawtooth Mountain Range is an inherently wild region, which has been abundantly clear ever since the first Euro-American settlers arrived in these lands during the 1800s. The […]
An In-Depth History of Vienna and Sawtooth City
The Alpine Examiner November 151, 2021 Naturalist Blog Getting to the heart of what matters in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area An In-Depth History of Vienna and Sawtooth City The Sawtooths are home to more than spectacular views, hikes, and wildlife; they are also home to unique stories from the past. One way to experience […]
A New Approach to an Old Issue: An Examination of Qualitative Research on Wolf Predation
A New Approach to an Old Issue: An Examination of Qualitative Research on Wolf Predation The reintroduction of wolves into Idaho in 1995 has generated debate for years, but Jeff Vance Martin’s recently published study, Peace in the valley? Qualitative insights on collaborative coexistence from the Wood River Wolf Project, takes a different approach to […]
Sharing is Caring: What the Rise of Social Media Means for Wilderness
Take a moment and consider the last time you spent time in nature. Was your interaction face-to-face, or did you spend much of your time peering through a screen? Neither is right or wrong: while some outdoor recreationists may scorn technology on backcountry adventures, others find joy in capturing experiences via camera or smartphone. When […]
The Bear Necessities
The Bear Necessities Brown, cinnamon, blonde, or even black, the American black bear, or the Ursus americanus, is very common in the Sawtooth Mountains. Black bears can be seen throughout the summer scavenging for food and looking for tasty treats. However, in the winter, black bears are not seen as often. They will go into […]
Interview with an Archaeologist
Interview with an Archaeologist Hi! I’m Aspen Arnold, the 2021 Historic Specialist at the Stanley Museum. Recently I had the opportunity to interview the Forest Archaeologist for the Sawtooth National Forest, Doug Baughman. As a student of anthropology, I was excited to hear what someone in his position does day to day on such a […]
Fireweeds Journey: Story of a Fireweed through a Burned Area
Fireweeds Journey: Story of a Fireweed through a Burned Area Recent fires from a lightning strike had spread through the area. Now, fire-darkened tree skeletons reach leafless arms to the sky. Wind creaks through the spindly branches leaving an eerie feeling in the forest. Dark and dreary, the barren landscape appears lonely and sad, but […]
