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Greetings from the Resident Naturalist

Greetings from the Nature Center,  

As snow is starting to accumulate in the high Tetons, and the Trumpeter Swans are settling back on our ponds, I want to offer a warm thanks to everyone who participated in our nature center programs this past summer. Our songbird banding program was again a highlight for many residents who enjoyed learning about our local birds in a hands-on way.  We finished the restoration plan and design for our upcoming work on lower Spring Creek. In the next few seasons, I believe this work will translate to a very rewarding and exciting fly fishing experience for everyone. As well, we continued to monitor our willow planting project along all of our creeks, trout spawning activity, aquatic insect diversity and abundance, and noxious weed control.

Our cycling program continues to attract more residents each summer.  Each week, we explore a new and different bike route throughout the valley and Teton Park.  Based on feedback, I will organize next summer rides for varying ability levels, from a leisurely cruise to those who want a hard workout with longer distances.  I joined several residents and their guests on scenic float trips on the Snake River.  This is an incredible way to relax and enjoy a beautiful part of Jackson Hole. I also had the pleasure of joining residents and their families on a number of hikes in the valley, including the cottonwood and spruce forests of the Snake River bottom.  In the wildlife we observed elk, bison, deer, bald eagles, goshawks, coyotes, pine marten, porcupine, badgers, and even some tracks of black bears.

We experienced another very busy season with injured birds of prey at the Raptor Center.  This is the fourth year in a row of record numbers of injured birds we received, from several bald eagles, to hawks, kestrels, and owls.  At the same time, we received a dramatic increase in requests for our outreach educational services where we bring our permanent education birds into schools and other community events. Many of you met our golden eagle, the newest addition to our group of educational ambassadors at 3 Creek Ranch. This beautiful eagle hatched last summer and came to us from central Wyoming, near Douglas, and appears to have hatched with a bone deformity in one wing. I am grateful to the volunteers who helped this summer with our raptor program.

I enjoyed seeing many of you at the Center who came to fish with Jim and John Merritt at our summer seasonal.  I trust everyone enjoyed having John here as much as I did, and offer my sincere compliments to him for all his hard work and dedication to our program. Hopefully we can talk John into returning next season.

I was delighted to see our residents using the Nature Center for all types of private functions, small and large. I am delighted to hear from many of you how much you value the Nature Center and the benefit it brings to all 3 Creek Ranch residents.

Remember also that Jackson Hole offers world-class winter recreational opportunities.  Please contact me for information on any number of activities, from being your alpine ski guide at Teton Village who taught you how to cross-country ski on our groomed Nordic track, who scheduled a snowshoeing trip in the park, who helped arrange a dogsled trip, or who reserved you a day for snowmobiling on Togwotee Pass. Each of these activities offers a perfect way to learn a new winter activity, to be outside, and to stay in great shape. 

Please come by the Center at any time, or call if I can be of assistance.
Let’s hope for snow.  My best to you and your loved ones.

Respectfully,
Roger Smith
Resident Naturalist