Large Landscape News

Researchers Examine the Intersection of Human and Wildlife Safety on a Major Road Network

Most motorists would agree that roads and animals can be a dangerous mix. Crashes involving wildlife are often deadly for animals and, in some cases, may also cause serious injury or death to humans. Efforts to reduce the risk of animal-vehicle collisions most often focus on human safety, but what if transportation officials and conservation scientists worked together to address dangers to both people and wildlife?

CLLC Releases 2020 Annual Report

We are pleased to announce the publication of our 2020 Annual Report, in which we share some of our exciting work that took place over the past year. While it was a year full of challenges for all of us, we forged ahead with our efforts to reverse fragmentation, restore nature’s resilience to climate change, and support community-led action. You’ll read stories illustrating the impact we have made, both locally and globally, with the help of our valued supporters and partners.

Contributions to “Infrastructure and Nature Webinar Series”

On 19 November, the Center collaborated with the IUCN WCPA Connectivity Conservation Specialist Group and other important partners to lead a 90-minute session titled “Balancing Ecological Connectivity and Linear Infrastructure” as the fifth installment of the Infrastructure and Nature Webinar Series.

Partner Spotlight: Terry Tatsey

Terry Tatsey never sought a life of public service–he had long planned to work on his family’s ranch, but life had other plans. Terry was instrumental in building Blackfeet Community College’s environmental science program, before serving on the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council where he worked to integrate Amskapi Piikani values and knowledge into management decisions.

Partner Spotlight: Mike Durglo

Mike Durglo has worked for the tribe for 38 years, mostly in the natural resources department. Mike started his career in public service in 1979, when he enrolled in the Tribal Police Academy in Brigham City, Utah, just two weeks after graduating high school. Mike was a police officer for about a year when he decided he would pursue other avenues to serve people and nature. He became a game warden and worked in that role for 13 years.

Partner Spotlight: Termaine Edmo

In our second installment of our Native American Heritage Month Partner Spotlight series, we sat down with Termaine Edmo, the Climate Change Coordinator for the Blackfeet Tribe, to discuss her journey to climate resilience work and her goals for the Blackfeet Nation. When asked what brought her to the field of water quality and climate adaptation, Termaine noted that it all began with a gardening club.

Carpathian Bioregion: First Ground Testing of IUCN Connectivity Guidelines

The report from the Connectivity Conservation Workshop: Guiding the Carpathian Region has now been released. It details the outcomes of discussions among over 50 scientists, conservation experts, natural resource managers, and policymakers from 13 countries that met in Poiana Brasov, Romania from 4-6 November 2019.

Partner Spotlight: Whisper Camel-Means

Whisper Camel-Means is an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) who currently works as a wildlife biologist CSKT on the Flathead Reservation in west central Montana. As part of our celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we asked her to tell us a bit about what brought her to this work. Keep reading to learn about the path that led Whisper to her current role, what drives her, and where she wants to go from here.

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Since 1990, Native American Heritage Month has served as a platform for elevating Native American voices and stories that too often are stifled or ignored. This month-long celebration is a chance to share and learn about Native American culture and traditions, better understand the historical injustices, and take steps to create a more inclusive future. It’s a chance to appreciate and understand the original inhabitants of our lands, promote equity, and work toward restoring the Native American values and cultures that have existed for thousands of years.

Stories of Indigenous-Led Conservation

Today, the state of Montana still recognizes “Columbus Day,” but the Center for Large Landscape Conservation chooses to recognize and celebrate a different holiday: Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day began in 1989 as an alternative to Columbus Day, the purpose of which is twofold: to counter the celebration of Christopher Columbus, who many–particularly tribal and indigenous people–say represents “the violent history of the colonization in the Western Hemisphere,” and to honor and and celebrate Indigenous peoples.