The Mountain Pine Beetle
Why are there so many brown trees? The Mountain Pine Beetle is one of several common, native insects that challenge western pine forests. Drought conditions, mild winters, dwarf mistletoe infestations, dense late seral mature forest stands, and a lack of wildland fires have contributed to the outbreak. The scale of the current beetle epidemic is unprecedented in historic times, with millions of acres of trees being affected throughout the West from Mexico to British Columbia.

Broadband users click here. Dial-up users click here. iPod users click here. For a printable version of the script, click here.  

Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn sheep are often referred to as Rocky's signature species. These hearty-looking animals are surprisingly fragile. Learn more about these elusive and fascinating creatures.

Broadband users click here. For a captioned version, click here. For a printable version of the script, click here. Dial-up users click here. iPod users click here.

   

Elk & Vegetation Management Plan
The National Park Service (NPS) has released the Final Elk and Vegetation Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the park. The result of seven years of research, followed by four years of planning, the plan will use adaptive management principles and guide park management for the next 20 years. This 12-minute video introduces this fascinating and complex topic.

Broadband users click here. For a captioned version, click here. Dial-up users click here. For a printable version of the script, click here.

Air Quality
There are days when visibility is more than 200 miles. Unfortunately those days are not as common anymore. Learn how scientists at Rocky Mountain National Park are studying and monitoring air quality in the park.

Broadband users click here. For a captioned version, click here. Dial-up users click here. For a printable version of the script, click here. iPod users click here.

Soundscapes
What do elk and frogs have in common? This segment of Behind the Scenes will take a brief look at two park research projects, one focused on frogs and one on elk. As different as these topics seem, the projects have something in common: they both involve studying sound. 

Broadband users click here. For captioned version, click here. Dial-up users click here. For a printable version of the script, click here.