USGS in Montana

USGS science is the GOAT! Using @NatlParkService citizen science data, @USGS found the park’s mountain goats declined by about 45% from 2008 to 2019, but goats benefited from areas with more snow and natural mineral licks, and wetter springs. Learn more 👉pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70…

In Lake Koocanusa, on the border of MT & British Columbia, federally threatened bull trout can sustain a modest recreational fishery because of harvest limits and an unlikely ally—a nonnative fish it feeds upon. Learn more: esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ea… #WorldFisheriesDay

Happy GIS Day! Geographic information systems, or GIS, allows us to better understand the world around us. From tracking animals to mapping habitats to assessing restoration project progress, learn how USGS uses GIS to inform natural resource issues: ow.ly/4ss750XunSf

How does 🔥 #wildfire affect 💧 #groundwater? It depends on local and regional conditions, as well as fire severity and area burned. Read the paper - wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wa… #USGS #WaterScience

Hi! Happy to see you again and we’ll be back next week! Have a nice weekend.

Due to the federal government shutdown, this account is not being actively updated. For more information, please visit: doi.gov/shutdown

Strolling towards the weekend.

On September 27, the nation is headed outdoors—and you’re invited! National Public Lands Day is the largest annual volunteer event on public lands. One way to celebrate is to explore federal public lands without admission on this fee-free day! : neefusa.org/npld-event-sea…

You might be wondering how grizzly bears get Army cutworm moths. They do it the grizzly bear way—they find the moths beneath large rocks on talus slopes and put their claws and muscles to work. Grizzly bears do not mess around when it comes to getting a snack.

Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bears primarily feed on plants, but they also eat high-value foods including whitebark pine seeds, cutthroat trout, winter-killed bison, elk & Army cutworm moths. Learn about grizzly bear science 👉 ow.ly/xE8850X2vgj #FatBearWeek

It’s #FatBearWeek @KatmaiNPS in AK, but Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) has its own heavyweights. The heaviest GYE female on record was 487 pounds while the heaviest GYE male was 715 pounds!! That’s a lot of bear! @YellowstoneNPS

1/2 How do trout end up in hot water? Just add drought. •Less streamflow •Warmer waters •More stress on cold-water fish. But it’s not all bad news—USGS has a plan to help managers protect cold-water fisheries in the northern Rockies #Drought #Trout #ColdWaterFish

2/2 @USGS helps managers prepare for drought by developing drought early warning systems that support proactive decision-making to protect fish, water resources, human communities & the region’s trout fishery. Learn more 👉 ow.ly/9S0k50X2i76 #NationalPreparednessMonth

(News Release) The parkwide fire danger level for Yellowstone is now HIGH and Stage 1 fire restrictions that went into effect August 12 have been lifted. Currently, there are no uncontrolled wildland fires in the park. Campfires are only permitted within established fire rings in campgrounds and some backcountry campsites. Read more: nps.gov/yell/learn/new…

Hotter & drier conditions are making wildfires more intense & destructive. Science from the USGS Ecosystems Land Change Science Program informs reduction of wildfire hazards to protect ecosystems and communities. 👉ow.ly/Q67w50WXEN9 #NationalHazardPreparednessMonth

Congratulations to @USGS Research Statistician Kathi Irvine on receiving a Distinguished Achievement Award from the American Statistical Association's Section for her work in environmental statistics. Learn more about the award & Kathi’s work 👉 usgs.gov/centers/norock…

Collaboration & dedication! Federal, state & Tribal agencies make up the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team and have been monitoring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear population since 1973, including bears @YellowstoneNPS. Learn more 👉 ow.ly/Jcrs50WWT8R

August #streamflow conditions across the U.S. 💧 Dry conditions persisted across much of the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest, while parts of the Midwest and South Atlantic saw wet conditions. #DataViz made with #rstats #dataRetrieval  github.com/DOI-USGS/flow-…

Looks like that moose calf is gleefully running towards the weekend. Enjoy your weekend, everyone.

.@USGS scientists study wildlife diseases where they’re found—on the landscape. Animals visit natural mineral licks—areas of concentrated minerals—so they are being monitored to assess it they could be hotspots of wildlife disease transmission. #ChronicWastingDisease