Teton Osprey

A project of Grand Teton National Park in conjunction with the partners and sponsors detailed below.

Subscribe to receive daily project updates

Click on an animal's name for maps and more information.

Introduction

Migrations represent crown achievements of adaptation in the animal world. They exemplify the natural shrewdness of species in their attempts to exploit seasonal resources in otherwise inhospitable environments. Despite their tremendous intrinsic and ecological value, animal migrations have received little conservation attention and losses continue to mount globally.

We intend to build upon the knowledge base of migratory species by studying osprey, a species whose movements take them well outside park boundaries. Depending almost entirely on fish for their diet, osprey nest throughout Grand Teton National Park’s lake and river habitats and are thought to winter in Central or South America.

We will use the information gained in this pilot study for long-term wildlife conservation planning specific to Grand Teton National Park. In addition, we will use this migration data from the park as an example to showcase the important relationship between protecting animal migrations and preserving species diversity in national parks around the globe.

Project Partners

Partnering with Grand Teton National Park for the Teton Osprey project is Craighead Beringia South.

Project Sponsors

Grand Teton National Park was established in 1929; Jackson Hole National Monument was created in 1943. The two units were combined to become present-day Grand Teton National Park in 1950. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway was established in 1972 to commemorate the philanthropic activities of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. and his generous donations of lands to the National Park System. The Parkway is managed as a recreation area under the administration of Grand Teton National Park.

Grand Teton is in many ways emblematic of the entire National Park System. Located in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, near the community of Jackson, Wyoming, Grand Teton is an icon for a myriad of nationally significant conservation issues including grazing, brucellosis, winter use, open space, fire management, wolf reintroduction, and water and air quality monitoring.

Grand Teton National Park is much more than a stunning mountain landscape. The park has enormously challenging issues, some of which have never been addressed. Park staff face these complex challenges at a time of limited federal budgets. In order to carry out the core mission of resource protection and visitor service, the park relies on a wide range of assistance from partner organizations, stakeholder groups, park volunteers, and a very active and involved citizenry.