Trisha Atwood in USU's Department of Watershed Sciences is part of the global effort that resulted in a call on governments to explicitly include wildlife and their ecological roles in climate policy.

Utah State University is hosting a discussion that will include affiliate Larissa Yocom, on how effective our current wildfire management strategies actually are, and in what ways they might be making the problem worse.

Tracking animal adaptations during the COVID-19 lockdown, scientists show how human presence and habitat modifications affect the way animals behave.

When people disappeared from the landscape, as they did during the pandemic, wild animals changed how they used space and resources, scientists found.

A Yale-led analysis of millions of animal movements reveals how the mere presence of people, not just landscape change, can reshape how species use space and environment, with implications for conservation efforts.

A screening party for the Shared Planet: Waters episode and a panel discussion with wildlife biologist Nate Norman, Professor Joe Wheaton and rancher Jay Wilde.

Recent sightings have more people wondering if bears are moving into the Metro Detroit area. Utah State University PhD student Taylor Peltier studies black bears in the northern Lower Peninsula as part of the Baldwin Bear Project. She tells WWJ radio’s Am...

Do coyotes living in the city behave differently than those in the countryside? In this video, we dive into a massive behavioral study conducted across 16 U.S. cities to test one specific trait: boldness. Using "novel object tests" and camera traps, we re...

The recent lethal removal of three wolves in Cache County has renewed a long-running question in Utah wildlife management: not just whether wolves belong in the state, but whether they are allowed to play any ecological role at all.

For the past four years, the Color Country Natural Resources Camp has been an opportunity for students to learn and practice skills that they will take with them into their fields, as well as to break down barriers between their peers.

Cuttlefish eggs sit in tanks at Utah State University’s aquatic ecology lab, adjusting to different salinity levels — a climate change experiment happening in the mountains, 800 miles from any ocean. This is marine science in a landlocked state. USU launc...

Utah State University students studying natural resources are navigating a changing job landscape as federal hiring freezes and shifting government priorities affect available jobs and planned career paths.

The Utah Water Research Lab welcomes Courtney Flint, a USU professor in the Department of Environment and Society, as an associate director.

Pepperdine University biology professor Dr. Javier Monzon shares his findings from a new study on urban coyotes. He discusses the differences between urban and rural coyotes and even a new hybrid subspecies.

Researchers believe behavioral gap, which may hold true across species, is probably product of less fear of harassment in cities. Coyotes in cities seem to be bolder as well and less afraid of new experiences. That’s according to a new study that research...

Utah’s towering ponderosa pines are tough customers. They can live for hundreds of years, surviving harsh conditions at high altitudes. But even giants have a breaking point. This winter was Utah’s warmest on record, and statewide snowpack has cratered to...

A wildlife contractor shot a habituated coyote at Mount Pisgah, tracking it to a dense blackberry thicket, suggesting the animal did not immediately die. Questions remain about humane euthanization and whether habitat pressures — including growing use of ...

Trees in the West are remarkably flexible — they endure extended droughts, sweltering summers and subzero winters as part of a wildly variable climate. Even so, this year’s snow drought is going to leave a mark.

Chukar partridges are small, ground-dwelling birds native to the high deserts of the Middle East and Asia. But they've also been found in Utah since the 1930s. They have striking red legs, a conspicuous black band across their face, and somewhat of a cult...

The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper, Utah, recently celebrated the grand opening of the Sam & Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, including lab and classroom space dedicated specifically for Utah State University students.

Coyotes are natural scaredy cats, according to new nationwide research led by Julie Young from Utah State University’s Department of Wildland Resources. Their fear of all things new is an ingrained behavior that helps them avoid trouble and ultimately sur...

Imagine blinking beef, lighted lambs, or glowing goats. Silly as it may sound, it just might be a helpful new way to protect valuable livestock.

Highly-pathogenic avian influenza is a growing problem, both in agriculture and beyond. Waterfowl are the primary carriers, but the virus easily spreads to other birds and has made the jump to other species, from cattle to even elephant seals on remote So...

A batch of designated “nuisance” turkeys were released to their new home where state wildlife officials hope they’ll behave themselves.

Three days after the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources confirmed the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food’s lethal removal of three wolves found west of Avon, Utah State University ecologists weighed in on the subject, as reported by Utah State Today...

State officials recently killed three gray wolves near Avon, Utah, in the southwestern corner of Cache County. Wildlife ecology experts from the Department of Wildland Resources at Utah State University answered questions about wolves in Utah.

Pinyon-juniper woodlands provide food for rare birds, cover for predator species and wood for Southern Utahns, and they dominate the state's forests. But land managers face a paradox: while many pinyon-juniper species are declining due to climate stress, ...

Forests of the West are complicated places made up of thousands of interconnected parts — animals and insects, plants and trees, fungi, bacteria, soil, water, and people — operating in cycles that can last from seconds to centuries, on scales from bacteri...

Lack of young aspen trees across most sampled sites complicates the story of “widespread” aspen recovery after wolf reintroduction.

A new peer-reviewed study reports that claims of a “world-leading” trophic cascade in Yellowstone National Park are not supported, citing problems with the methods used in earlier research.

After a doorbell camera captured footage of a bobcat in southern Utah, a wildlife specialist is sharing a bit more information about bobcats in Utah and how to avoid issues with bobcats.

Scientists hope understanding coyote widowhood will someday help humans in their own grief.

Previous research on the effect of wolves on the food web has been criticized, raising questions about the predator’s role in the Yellowstone ecosystem.

Utahns, including the wildlife, have felt the unseasonably warm fall and the winter’s warmer temperatures. Normally, winter weather is the sign for many species to begin their yearly traditions. In the short term, the warmer temperatures are actually help...

Women and gender minorities, especially in lower-income countries, generally bear a greater burden than men do with regard to the impacts of climate change. The finding, which focuses on lower-income countries, could help inform plans to shrink the global...

Researchers are trying to protect livestock from mountain lions.

Elsevier Research, a research and global technology company, works with universities around the world to gather and share important research discoveries. Based on Elsevier’s analysis, in 2024, eight faculty members from the Emma Eccles Jones College of Ed...

When Alaska’s wolves began eating sea otters, it looked like a story of adaptation. Then they started getting sick.

Claims that wolves have rescued Yellowstone National Park aspen trees through a ‘trophic cascade’ oversimplify a complex story.

It feels like deer are showing up everywhere lately — our yards, along neighborhood sidewalks, and crossing busy roads — you’re not just imagining it.

Utah State University Eastern offers a wide variety of majors and educational paths, including Wildland Resources. Sunshine Brosi is a professor in the Wildlife Resources field in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She runs the Wildlife Eco...

Wolves, bears, cougars and coyotes are important parts of ecosystems of the West — and a pain in the rump roast for people who raise livestock there. A simple technology shows promise toward alleviating some of that conflict, according to Julie Young, a w...

New research from Utah State University tracked movements of mule deer during drought and found that when water content in plants dropped to a specific low, deer will abandon their natural habitat for irrigated croplands and urban landscaping.

Mule deer that call Utah home have to be tough — freezing winters and scorching summers are part of a typical year. But as droughts in the West get longer and more severe, these animals are being forced to move further afield to find the resources they ne...

Utah State University Eastern faculty, staff and students gathered on Oct. 31 to celebrate the inaugural lecture of Sunshine Brosi, professor of wildland resources and director of the graduate program in Natural Resources statewide and the Price campus’s ...

A Utah State University research team told the Great Salt Lake Advisory Council it is launching a multi‑year investigation into avian botulism on the Great Salt Lake, with the aim of identifying where and why outbreaks start and whether the toxin can be t...

Wildfire in the western US is an ecological phenomenon and a societal problem. Ecologically, many fires burn in areas where countless fires have burned in the past. Fires reset ecosystems, and plants and animals are often able to take advantage of recentl...

Fox squirrels, the largest tree squirrels in North America, have made their way into Utah and are quickly becoming noticeable residents along the Wasatch Front.

New research from Scott Hotaling of Utah State University and Eric Gilbertson of Seattle University indicates the five year-round frozen peaks in the continental United States are melting faster than many thought possible.

Invasive fox squirrels are moving into Utah, posing a threat to native red squirrels. According to wildlife specialists with Utah State University (USU), an invasive species of squirrels has moved to Colorado and Utah from the East Coast and is pushing ou...

Barbed wire shaped the American West, but it kills, injures and blocks migrating wildlife. Some ranchers are trying high-tech alternatives that could reduce the need for it.

New research is highlighting the remarkable impact of the Parleys Canyon wildlife overpass on Interstate 80 near Park City, Utah, US, documenting a significant reduction in wildlife collisions and cost savings for the local community.

USU Extension Wildlife Specialist here. I am glad that students and faculty across campus are enjoying our squirrels and finding fun ways to interact with local wildlife. Unfortunately, the feeder stations may love red squirrels to death. Quite literally....

This documentary shines a light on the remarkable work being done at Utah’s universities to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges. From advancing public health and pioneering new technologies to protecting the environment and promoting soci...

Rising ocean temperatures, heatwaves and dwindling prey are forcing marine mammals into new and more dangerous waters, scientists warn.

How is Utah changing? What is being done about it at local and statewide levels? How can people contribute? Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter aimed to provide insight into these questions and more as part of an Oct. 28 event titled “Learning to Leading: How USU...

The Great Salt Lake has been at unhealthy water levels for over a decade now, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration saying it reached a historic low of 4,188.5 feet in 2022. To combat the continual shrinking of the lake, Gov. Spencer Co...

Utah State University’s Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water and Air released its annual Report to the Governor and Legislature on Thursday, offering a collaborative and expert look at some of the state’s pressing issues related to land, water a...

Rabbitbrush is lighting up Southern Utah with yellow flowers, attracting an array of bees, beetles and butterflies. And while this plant may trigger some allergies, experts say it plays a crucial role in the desert landscape.

The Barbed Wire Warriors is an initiative of Wild Aware, a grassroots group based in Evergreen, Colo., that formed six years ago to reduce collisions between animals and cars in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Patrick Kelly is a PhD candidate at Utah State University studying the “social tolerance” people have for Yellowstone bison. He’s now launched a survey to learn what people living in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming think about their Yellowstone bison neighbors...

There are a lot more people running into bears around Yellowstone National Park, and a Utah researcher said people need to seriously consider carrying bear spray.

How the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter became Park City's living laboratory for conservation and community connection.

Utah State University Sociology Professor Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad has been named the 2025 recipient of the William R. Freudenburg Award of Merit from the Rural Sociological Society. She was recently honored at the Natural Resources Research Interest Group...

Bears have recently acquired a fondness for the good eating found around grain bins on Montana’s plains. That’s a big problem for humans and grizzlies alike. Dogs are an important strategy in a complicated quest for coexistence, according to a growing num...

Overgrazing has long been seen as a key factor in rangeland degradation – and is the reason for herd-size restrictions or livestock taxes that in some places can limit herders’ ability to make a living. But a new Cornell study points to another variable: ...

A recent study from Utah State University shows how effective a wildlife bridge has been at preventing collisions. More coverage on this topic can be found at NBC10 Boston.

Community members learned about the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and gave their input regarding the nonprofit's soon-to-be established strategic plan during an open house.

Just a few days before the official start of fall semester, a group of new students filled seats in a classroom at USU, though with significant experience already under their silver-buckled belts. The event was the Western Ranch Management Academy, with

The world’s largest wildlife overpass will soon be open for use in Colorado. Wildlife overpasses allow animals to safely cross over highways. And Western states are building more of them to cut down on the number of crashes between vehicles and animals.

In the heat of the summer, all living things, including plants, people and pets, are looking for relief from the heat in the form of water and food. Because of this, it’s not surprising that wildlife are attracted to our comparatively lush environment. “C...

A relocation project shows how these 'ecosystem engineers' are quietly transforming dry landscapes.

A relocation project shows how these 'ecosystem engineers' are quietly transforming dry landscapes.

Black bears once nearly wiped out are returning to the northern lake. There haven't been many encounters with black bears — animals once so common the lake was originally called “Black Bear Lake,” before trapping nearly erased them from the area by the ea...

Utah State University professors and graduate students presented the preliminary results of a six-month research study on the impacts of increased tourism at Bear Lake on ecosystems and communities at Garden City Hall. The study conducted by USU’s College...

Darren McAvoy remembers helping to clear wood debris as a student forester and wildland firefighter in his early 20s, standing atop a massive heap of branches and brush left behind from an effort to thin the forest and reduce fire hazards.

Many people across the United States, especially in forested areas, are encountering more black bears more often. The bears are sauntering into their backyards, garages, even kitchens. The bears aren’t there to attack humans — they're there to haul down b...

If you’ve ever stayed at Utah State University’s on-campus inn, you may have noticed: It’s a death trap for birds. Two Utah State University professors wanted to change this.

Climate change can affect the way animals migrate, but did you know that some animal migration could be used to fight climate change? Neil and Beth discuss this with Dr. Trisha Atwood and teach you some new vocabulary along the way.

In spring, many of Southern Utah's wildlife species become more active, looking for food, shelter and partners, and sometimes finding themselves in someone's backyard. But that's "not necessarily a problem." Utah State University Extension Professor Nicki...

Industrial fishing has been a huge food source for decades. It pulls enormous amounts of marine organisms – and their stored nutrients – out of the water every year. Scientists say these activities are tied to the loss of important nutrients that help kee...

Standing just outside Cedar City at Cedar Breaks National Monument, “Old Blue,” a nickname from its discoverers, is estimated to be 457 years old. Old Blue appeared to be “hiding among Engelmann spruce,” according to an academic article by Lutz with fello...

The San Rafael River has a problem. As it winds through red rock country northwest of Canyonlands National Park, it increasingly runs dry. Drought is again taking hold across Utah, and that could spell trouble for the wildlife that rely on the river, suc...

The Office of Research and the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President hosted the 2025 Faculty Awards Ceremony on Wednesday. This event recognized the research, service and teaching efforts of Utah State University faculty.

As pollinators for native plants and food crops, bees play a pivotal role in our ecosystem, according to Utah State University ecologist Joseph Wilson. He and undergraduate researcher Anthony Hunsaker took on the herculean task of documenting Utah's bee s...

If Utah needs to sidestep a major, deadly fire, Utah State University will play a crucial role. The Utah Forest Restoration Institute, housed in USU’s S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, was launched using state funding in 2024 to synth...

Peat bogs sequester a massive amount of the Earth's carbon dioxide. But even as scientists work to better understand bogs' sequestration, the wetlands are under threat.

It turns out there is surprisingly little evidence for life after death. I mean this specifically in the ecological sense. Think “the circle of life” from The Lion King in Mufasa’s lecture to Simba: “When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antel...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Julie Young, a wildlife biologist and professor at Utah State University, to discuss the complex world of mountain lion research, hunting, and conservation. With recent changes in hunting regulations and growing debat...

A mountain lion attack that killed a young California man last year has reignited a debate over how the big cats should be managed.

To help combat the threat of wildfires in Utah, the state's delegation to the 119th Congress has joined forces to introduced the Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act. That proposed federal legislation would create a center for research into essential fore...

The Quinney College of Natural Resources has named Larissa Yocom executive director of the new Utah Forest Restoration Institute (UFRI), a recently established institute focused on improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk across the state.

Four faculty from Utah State University Eastern received annual awards from their respective departments and/or colleges recently. Rachel Turner, Hannah Lewis, Katherine Vela, and Sunshine Brosi, joined other USU faculty in being honored for their commitm...

Mountain lion concerns continue in Placer County, forcing one man to sell off his herd following a recent attack on his sheep. But a new study aims to give ranchers like him some hope.

Mountain lion attacks are rare in California, but incidents have been increasing and the cats' behavior has been changing in the past few decades, according to on-the-ground accounts.

As dangerous encounters in California continue to rise, local residents and wildlife experts are trying to figure out how humans and big cats can coexist.

A study of the efficacy of different nonlethal mountain lion deterrents is set to start in January, and local livestock owners are asked to get involved.

Collisions with large animals cost taxpayers $130 million annually, highlighting the need for solutions. Wildlife crossings are gaining support for potentially ongoing funding in Utah's upcoming legislative session. Bipartisan support seeks a permanent fu...

With so many reports of bear sightings in northern Michigan—the Michigan Department of Natural Resources estimates there are 2,000 black bears living here, with more than 10,000 in the Upper Peninsula. What’s more, we humans are finding it increasingly ch...

A study led praises two range-rider programs in northeast Washington, finding the programs are likely helping to reduce the number of conflicts between wolves and livestock.

Stocking fish in Utah waterbodies dates back to 1871 when fish were transported from other states by train and were dropped into lakes along the route. In 1897, Utah opened its first hatcheries and started raising trout locally.

In 1995, officials began to reintroduce wolves to northern Yellowstone National Park, restoring a symbol of wilderness and seemingly triggering an ecological transformation. Elk had been overrunning the park, because most of their predators had been hunte...

There are no grizzly bears in Utah, but state biologists say it might not be out of the question in future years.

USU Eastern is presenting speakers to discuss the unique history and environment of Eastern Utah. “From the Book Cliffs to Blanding: A Panoramic View of Eastern Utah” is a series of six faculty speakers found and introduced by the College of Humanities an...

Elephants in South Africa repeatedly visit the carcasses of other elephants, and move the bones around. A team of researchers at Kruger National Park are working to illumine this mysterious behavior and understand the role of mega-carcasses on the ecosyst...

Wildlife experts in US west have found small aircraft are ideal for protecting humans and livestock from predators.

Pando, a single quaking aspen in Utah covering 43 hectares, could be between 16,000 and 81,000 years old. New threats mean the world’s largest tree is now in decline.

Utah State University Dean Linda Nagel and Loveland Living Planet Aquarium founder and CEO Brent Anderson sign a partnership between the two organizations in Draper on Oct. 25.. USU students can now earn a marine science minor that is already drawing broa...

Ray Mesa, near the La Sal mountains on the Colorado-Utah border is notable for its old-growth Ponderosa pines (estimated to be several hundred years old) that are growing in cool drainages amongst pinyon-juniper woodlands. Recent Ponderosa tree mortality ...

“The collection consists of around a million specimens of just these ichneumonid wasps. So just this one family of wasps. And in it there’s, it's really hard to say exact figures, but there's probably something like 10 to 20,000 undescribed species just s...

There are more undescribed species within a single family of wasps than all fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals combined. And that’s just one family of wasps. The collection consists of around a million specimens of just these ichneumonid wasps, and in it ...

With ballooning populations, wild horses and burros are teetering on the edge of crisis.