At last, an Atlas
The Center for Great Plains Studies, an academic arm of the the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska, has just published the Atlas of the Great Plains. It is the first atlas to focus specifically on the Great Plains as a single entity. The atlas studies the region’s physical geography, as […]
The Great Northwest welcomes the Great Plains
The Great Plains Trail is now on the website Trailpedia. Trailpedia offers excellent information and reviews for established trails (from short nature loops to longer multi-day trips). Many of the trails are in the Seattle area, but the site is expanding and looking to add trails from anywhere. The information is thorough, reliable and submitted […]
Leaves of Money
According to a recent report for the USDA, America’s National Forest and Grasslands are not only a great place to spend your recreation time, they’re also a great place to spend your recreation dollars. National Forest and Grasslands, by their sheer existence, are a magnet for tourism and a massive economic force. Here are the […]
Hi-Line Drama
I just learned that there is a movie being made of Winter in the Blood, James Welch’s outstanding novel about Indian reservation life along the Hi-Line in Montana. For the uninitiated, the Hi-Line refers to the northern and eastern parts of Montana, particularly up near the Canadian border. It’s an area rich in history and […]
Conservation through Recreation
In 2003, the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, a multi-national organization dedicated to diverse projects related to conservation in all of North America, produced a large study of Grasslands Conservation. The study involved a variety of scientists studying grassland ecosystems throughout the North American Great Plains and prairies (including Canada and Mexico). The overall […]
Scenic Overlook
In the news this week was the fact that an entire town is for sale in South Dakota. The town of Scenic, not far from Badlands National Park, could be yours for a mere $799,000. When you think of how many single family homes in the U.S. could sell for that much or more, it’s […]
A Big Thanks Under a Big Sky
The Great Plains Trail Project would like to thank the American Prairie Foundation for meeting in “Big Sky Country” to discuss the possibility of the GPT. The enthusiastic support for the vision of the GPT is much appreciated from such a respected organization. The information and insights gained will be invaluable as the project moves […]
The Next Best Idea
Here is a link from The American Prairie Foundation about its sprawling 3.5 million acre reserve in Montana. It’s a video that shows noted American biologist E. O. Wilson describing the need for creating large wildlife reserves, such as the American Prairie Reserve. There are certain habitats on earth, and the Great Plains is certainly one […]
Cloudspotting
Living along the Front Range in Colorado, one gets used to spectacular mountain scenery. Everyday the 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks loom to the west defining the horizon and giving a sense of boundary, and wonder. But during the summer months, a new mountain range pops up on occasion. This one appears to the east […]
“It’s Beguiling”
A nice article appears in this month’s issue of Yellowscene Magazine out of Boulder, Colorado. The article is called “Home on the Range.” It’s about the Pawnee Buttes in Pawnee National Grassland in Northeast Colorado. The author is Chris Hawkins who describes some history of the area, and what you might expect to find if […]
The Quadruple Crown?
In 2000, “Flyin’” Brian Robinson became the first person to complete (within one calendar year) what is known as the Triple Crown of long distance hiking – the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail. All told, that’s about 7,000 miles of hiking! It takes a special kind of person to […]
The Envelope Please . . .
This week the film, American Serengeti about the efforts of the American Prairie Foundation is being honored with two awards at the 34th International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, Montana. It won for Best Film Made in Montana and Best of Category – Television Program (budget $500,000+). It also received recognition for Best Cinematography and Best Conservation Message. […]
