Medusahead. Black Henbane. Dyer’s woad. Ventenata. Yellow starthistle. Heavy metal bands, or noxious weeds found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem?

We’re all pretty familiar with the common weeds that make their appearance in our yards and hometowns. Despite their status, I’m still a fan of dandelions. But what makes a noxious weed, a noxious weed?

It’s a surprising issue found here in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Conservation topics like the politics of grizzly bears or the increase of wildfires get top billing in the media, while noxious weeds are more of an under-the-radar threat.

Well, we’re here to change that and share why you should be aware of noxious weeds in Greater Yellowstone and how you can help prevent their spread. Spoiler alert: humans are of course, the top spreaders of noxious weed seeds.

Joining us today is Bethany Allen, wildlife habitat director at Park County Environmental Council in Livingston, Montana. In her work, Bethany partnered with Montana State University and the Park County Cooperative Management Area to lead county-wide monitoring and education—work that resulted in the development of the statewide Montana Noxious Weed Monitoring Toolbox now housed with the Montana Department of Agriculture. We’ll discuss how noxious weeds are dramatically affecting both terrestrial and aquatic habitats, why noxious weeds like cheatgrass are so hard to stop from spreading, and her top three species she would make disappear with her magic wand.

We’ll try to stay out of the weeds—while talking about weeds!

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

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> Montana Noxious Weeds Resource

> Wyoming Noxious Weeds Resource

> Idaho Noxious Weeds Resource

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Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

Music > Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Thumbnail Photo > Jennifer Strickland/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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Have you ever heard what sounds like a prehistoric call on the air? It’s one of my favorite sounds that signals spring’s arrival in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

One of my favorite questions to ask friends, or just people I meet in general, is "What’s your favorite bird?" I’m usually met with a long groan at the impossible nature of the question. Many times, the answer I receive is a Sandhill crane.

Sandhill cranes are seasonal visitors to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. So, what is it about these lanky birds that draws us in? Is it their strange call that can be heard up to 2 ½ miles away? Is it their graceful nature as they wander wetlands and marshes? Maybe it's their fancy dance moves when they hope someone is watching.

Famed writer and father of wildlife ecology and modern conservation Aldo Leopold once said, “When we hear his call, we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution.”

Joining us on the episode today are Courtney Rudd and Rene Schell from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Courtney is the Migratory Game Bird and Wetland Biologist, where her position affords abundant opportunities to collaborate with a diverse set of partners to conserve migratory game birds and their habitats, domestically and internationally. While based out of the Lander Regional Office, her responsibilities take her to all reaches of Wyoming for data collection, monitoring, project reconnaissance and implementation, and engaging with the public.

Rene is the Information and Education Supervisor, where she has been a dedicated voice for conservation since 2005. Rene leads a statewide team of specialists committed to the Department’s mission of "Conserving Wildlife, Serving People." As a specialist in wildlife education and public participation, Rene is passionate about creating "gateway moments" for the public—using ambassadors like the Great Horned Owl to foster a lifelong appreciation for Wyoming’s wildlife.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

> Join our Online Community and Receive Two FREE Stickers

> Merlin Bird ID App

> Sandhill Crane Calls

> Follow GYC on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn

> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

Music > Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Sandhill Crane Call Audio > NPS

Photo Tom Koerner/USFWS

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The vast public and private lands that make up Greater Yellowstone are crisscrossed with miles upon miles of fences. While fences aren’t inherently bad—and are often necessary in certain areas to keep wildlife off roads, livestock contained, and property boundaries visible—they create barriers that fragment wildlife habitat.

What happens when wildlife can’t reach seasonal habitats—and how can we make wildlife migration and movement easier for these iconic Greater Yellowstone species?

Virtual fencing is an exciting new technology that’s making waves across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond. It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like—a nonphysical barrier that utilizes GPS and other wireless signals to keep collared livestock contained.

We’ll learn much more about the details of virtual fencing during the conversation, but what’s really cool about virtual fencing is that it’s an absolute win-win solution for both wildlife and ranchers.

Joining us on the podcast is Erin Welty, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s senior Wyoming conservation associate. Based in Cody, Wyoming, Erin focuses on connecting wildlife habitat and ensuring wildlife are able to migrate and move more easily across the ecosystem. She’s leading our virtual fence work and helping ranchers learn more about how they can utilize this program on their land.

Alright, let’s start conversation—no jumping fences required!

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.

Voices of Greater Yellowstone was created by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a conservation nonprofit dedicated to working with people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.

> Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get podcasts.

> Join our Online Community and Receive Two FREE Stickers

> Virtual Fence Resource Guide

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> Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Podcast Artwork > Rachel Dunlap Art

Music > Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Photo > GYC/Erin Welty

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