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Courtney Garrity - Dispersed camping characteristics and impacts on wildlife and natural resources in the Jackson Hole Highlands, WY

This generous grant from the Biodiversity Institute is a huge relief as I wrap up my first field season and begin planning my second. I spent the summer of 2021 surveying over 300 campsites and piloting a survey and camera trap design. Because of this support, I will be able to expand the study next summer by buying more game cameras, creating experimental signage, hiring a technician, and supporting both of our housing and gas costs. This project will be instrumental to Bridger-Teton National Forest managers in both preserving the dispersed camping aesthetic visitors love while conserving the biodiversity this area is famous for. Thank you!

Courtney Garrity

Biodiversity Graduate Student Research Enhancement Grant & Don and Judy Legerski UW Teton Graduate Scholars in Biodiversity Fellowship Recipient

Department of Zoology/Physiology and Environment and Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources
Graduate Advisor: Dr. Abigail Sisneros-Kidd

Project Summary:

Dispersed camping has increased exponentially in the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF), prompting managers to consider adjusting management strategies in the most impacted forests surrounding Jackson, WY, known colloquially as the Jackson Hole Highlands. This project will provide value to the BTNF by 1) establishing baseline data on characteristics and resource conditions of high-priority dispersed campsites, 2) combining elk GPS data with camera trap photos to assess general biodiversity and wildlife’s spatial and temporal activity near dispersed campsites, 3) surveying dispersed campers to understand their knowledge, values, and preferences regarding dispersed camping in the BTNF, and 4) testing efficacy of several different message delivery modalities aimed at dispersed recreationists. Results will enable management to preserve recreation as an ecosystem service while maintaining biodiversity in the largest concentration of wildlife in the Lower 48 states. Project progress and research findings will be communicated with managers via presentations and a technical report, the local community via a seminar talk, and the general public via an Instagram account.

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