Yesterday, March 2, 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a proposal to remove Yellowstone grizzly bears from protection under the Endangered Species Act. The Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance will collaborate with our conservation partners to thoroughly analyze the proposed delisting rule to ensure it promotes a healthy grizzly bear population in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
Over the coming months, we’ll be coordinating with our conservation partners to dig into the facts, data, and science underlying the proposed rule. We will also evaluate the details of the accompanying conservation strategy and state management plan.
The Alliance wants a healthy, fully recovered grizzly bear population in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and views the expansion of grizzly bears into the southern reaches of our valley as a positive development and a conservation success we should celebrate. In order to carry this success forward into the future, the Alliance will work toward a final plan that protects important grizzly bear habitat, addresses human-grizzly conflicts, and encourages increased habitat connectivity.
As an organization committed to protecting the wildlife, wild places, and community character of Jackson Hole, the Alliance will fight for a final plan that safeguards a sustainable future for grizzly bears in our region, and we call on each and every one of you to speak up for this better future as well.
Click here to read the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s press release on the proposal.