June 18, 1998 The Missoulian article complied by David Gadbow: Students needed to help map whitebark pines.
Participants in the organization's alpine field studies' classes will spend five days atop the Swan Range mapping and evaluating whitebark pine stands. Whitebark pine forests provide vital nourishment for grizzly bears, Clark's nuterackers, squirrels and other animals. More than 80 percent of these forests have disappeared because of disease and fire prevention, according to Northwest Connections.
Comment by CAG
Emphasis above added by CAG. The same thing has happened in the Bitterroot Selway Frank Church Wilderness and, in addition, the major rivers in the Columbia Basin have been dammed. There is no longer a salmon/steelhead fish run from the Pacific. This all adds up to the very distinct possibility there is not and adequate food source in the Wilderness in question. Large blocks of land, i.e. large "core areas" just don't cut it. They are not an appropriate criteria for reintroduction of grizzly bears. This is all about control of public land.
End CAG Comments
Included in the classes will be information on tree, shrub and flower identification, plus reading animal tracks and sign. University of Montana credit may be earned for this and other classes offered by Northwest Connections.
Cost of the class is $230, with an additional $80 for one credit through UM. Classes will be offered July 16-19 Aug. l2-l6 and Sept. 8-11
For more information, or to register for the limited-enrollment class, call Melanie Judge Parker at 406-754-3185; or write to P.O. Box 1340, Condon, Mont. 59826.