The eighth year of State of the Rockies Research has begun. A group of six highly talented student researchers have started ten weeks of summer research. (Check out the Research Team’s Biographies) The research team has identified three topics to be covered in this year’s State of the Rockies Report Card.
Here are basic ideas and questions surrounding each topic:
Recreation: individual participation, business entities, importance to economies. How have these recreation areas developed? How are they affected by government action and public demand trends?
Rockies Region Eastern High Plains: decline, possible rejuvenation. Periodically some in congress propose a “new homestead act” to attract back population to areas with decade long declines. New demands for solar and wind energy, ethanol production, might rejuvenate some of these areas. Proposals for a “bison reserve” of large herd grazing and migration are in the works, including “safari” type tourism.
Rockies Infrastructure: roads, airports, rail, communication all are central to how the region develops. Has the Rockies gotten it’s “share” of federal dollars for such basic infrastructure, and does what exists help determine growth patterns?
In July the State of the Rockies Research Team is traveling up through Yellowstone to Central Montana, passing through Eastern Wyoming and stopping in South Dakota on the way back to Colorado Springs.
Stops will include:
Lander, WY
Jackson, WY
Yellowstone National Park, WY
Bozeman, MT
Judith Gap, MT
Wright, WY
Wind Cave National Park, SD
The week long research trip will help develop the three topics and allow for the researchers to meet with experts in the field. Later in July pictures, a day-by-day itinerary, and description of the trip will be posted!
Thank you for your continued interest!
