Trail Talk: A behind the scenes look at Grand Teton’s Youth Conservation Program – Week 7

YCP’s seventh week in the field started off with an incredible educational day led by Nancy Bockino, an ecologist who specializes in whitebark pine research and monitoring in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The crew was fascinated to learn about the complex relationship between whitebarks, native pine beetles, and Clark’s Nutcrackers. YCP enjoyed the casual hike to Surprise and Amphitheater lakes&#8212it was a new experience to listen and observe rather than digging drains.

Crew members work to remove a very large stump.

On Tuesday the crew finished work at Menor’s Ferry, and now the historical watercraft is ready to be put into the Snake River once again. They continued the day working at Blacktail ponds and installing informational kiosks at Mormon Row. YCP also started working on the new Bear Trail at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve (LSR), first working with the vegetation management crew eradicating musk thistle and houndstongue, then digging tread. The group got to work quickly and were able to move a significant amount of dirt! After only two half days at the LSR, the trail is looking great&#8212this crew is efficient.

Teamwork is key when it comes to trail building&#8212root removal success!

YCP ended the week by pre-packing for their backcountry trip to Lower Berry Cabin next week, which everyone is looking forward to.

Digging new trail at the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve.

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