Images

Map showing federal, state, and private land holdings of core winter elk range around the National Elk Refuge (labeled as the FWS unit). Map was generated by the USGS. 

Elk and bison being fed on the National Elk Refuge, Wyoming. Grand Teton and Grand Teton National Park are in the background. A map inset shows federal, state, and private land holdings of core winter elk range around the National Elk Refuge (labeled as the FWS unit). Map was generated by the USGS.

Map showing federal, state, and private land holdings of core winter elk range around the National Elk Refuge (labeled as the FWS unit). Map was generated by the USGS. 

Jackson elk herd migrations around the National Elk Refuge are shown in dark blue (short-distant migrants) and light blue (long-distant migrants). Elk migrations cross federal, state, and public lands. The map was generated by the USGS using data from the USGS Data Release Kauffman and others, 2020. 

Montana is known for its fishing opportunities, especially its cold-water trout fishing. Here, someone is fishing in Big Hole River, Montana. 

The Ruby River is a tributary of the Beaverhead River and anglers enjoy trout fishing here.  

In the same day, a female mule deer (left image), an elk (middle image), and finally a buck mule deer (right image) visited the same mineral lick in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The USGS is investigating how the aggregation of multiple individuals and species in mineral lick locations can influence wildlife disease transmission.  

Wind turbines in Wyoming with one blade painted black. These turbines are part of a study in collaboration with PacifiCorp to assess if the contrasting colors of turbine blades can reduce bird fatalities at wind turbines. 

Two researchers working with an autonomous environmental DNA sampler deployed at the  Bighorn Reservoir in Wyoming.

Stream in Glacier National Park experience severe streamflow drought. The rocks that are normally at the bottom of the river are dry. 

A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine is one of the scientific devices used to analyze eDNA samples

eDNA autosampler is programmed to collect and filter water samples for eDNA analysis every 3 hours on Cherry Creek, MT

A USGS researcher working with a potable eDNA autosampler located next to a stream in Montana. 

Bison waiting by field technician's truck after a sample collection in Montana.  

The 6 components that comprise READI-Net are each represented by an interlocking hexagon, illustrating the multi-dimensional aspect of the project including: Autonomous eDNA samplers, Broad spectrum surveillance, Where & when to sample, Lab analysis standards, Information framework, and Communication. 

The 6 components that comprise READI-Net are each represented by an interlocking hexagon, illustrating the multi-dimensional aspect of the project including: Autonomous eDNA samplers, Broad spectrum surveillance, Where & when to sample, Lab analysis standards, Information framework, and Communication. 

Big Sheep Canyon, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Centennial Mountains, southern Montana.

A filter from the Smith-Root sampler that collects eDNA when water is pushed through. This pattern is indicative of turbid water passing through the filter.

USGS field technician photographing bumble bees captured during monitoring surveys at Logan Pass, Glacier National Park, Montana.

Western bumble bee on a common yarrow flower in Glacier National Park, Montana. Photo taken by USGS field crew in July 2023. 

Western bumble bee on a Geranium viscossium (sticky purple geranium) flower in Glacier National Park, Montana. Photo taken by USGS field crew in July 2023.