SNAPPING AND SPINY SOFTSHELL TURTLE LONG-TERM MONITORING
Since 2015 Associate Professor Kayhan Ostovar has worked with over 20 students studying the distribution and population demographics of two
native turtles in SE Montana.
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https://instagram.com/yellowstoneturtles?utm_medium=copy_link
Since 2015 Associate Professor Kayhan Ostovar has worked with over 20 students studying the distribution and population demographics of two
native turtles in SE Montana.
Follow us on Instagram:
https://instagram.com/yellowstoneturtles?utm_medium=copy_link
We have been working with the Crow Fish and Game to survey rivers and creeks on the Crow Reservation. During these outings we create educational opportunities for students form the Crow Reservation to learn about our work, and the importance of conserving turtles and other aquatic species. Students engage in different aspects of this research including, blood heavy metal analysis, nesting habitat and radio-telemetry movement studies. These students regularly present their results at workshops, the Murdock Conference, MT Wildlife Society Conference, annual RMC symposium and other venues.
Recent News about the Turtle Study
RMC Students Piecing Together Turtle Data in Research Study's Sixth Year
https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/rmc-students-piecing-together-turtle-data-in-research-studys-sixth-year/article_949bec77-9d35-5646-a30c-da9508bc5dcb.html
RMC Tracking Native Turtles in Long-term Study
www.rocky.edu/sites/default/files/fall-2019-gg-rt.pdf
Rocky students Lead the Way in Montana Turtle Study
montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/2017/10/rocky-students-lead-the-way-in-montana-turtle-study/
Rocky Students Study River Turtles
http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/rocky-students-study-river-turtles-for-exposure-to-harmful-chemicals/article_243b3275-2ec8-57ec-b8e7-54690b6a284e.html
Acknowledgements:
This study would not be possible without the cooperation of more than 100 landowners who provide river access. Dave Pauli from the Humane Society of the United States joins us periodically and donated valuable radio-telemetry equipment. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks authorized our research under renewable IACUC Permit # FWP 03-2017 and 2018-06-W, and help with boats each summer. Funding and in-kind support came from the Yellowstone River Research Center at Rocky Mountain College, Montana Space Grant Consortium (NASA), RBC Financial - Blue Planet Grant, The Humane Society of the United States, Musselshell Valley Community Foundation, Yvonne Mansfield Animal Welfare Fund, Cinnabar Foundation, ExxonMobil, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Rocky Mountain College Faculty and SEED Grants, Crow Tribe Fish and Game, Montana Dakota Utilities, Prairie Biotic Research, Grizzly Creek Films, OP & WE Edwards Foundation, Hopa Mountain, and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
RMC Students Piecing Together Turtle Data in Research Study's Sixth Year
https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/rmc-students-piecing-together-turtle-data-in-research-studys-sixth-year/article_949bec77-9d35-5646-a30c-da9508bc5dcb.html
RMC Tracking Native Turtles in Long-term Study
www.rocky.edu/sites/default/files/fall-2019-gg-rt.pdf
Rocky students Lead the Way in Montana Turtle Study
montana-mint.com/lastbestnews/2017/10/rocky-students-lead-the-way-in-montana-turtle-study/
Rocky Students Study River Turtles
http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/rocky-students-study-river-turtles-for-exposure-to-harmful-chemicals/article_243b3275-2ec8-57ec-b8e7-54690b6a284e.html
Acknowledgements:
This study would not be possible without the cooperation of more than 100 landowners who provide river access. Dave Pauli from the Humane Society of the United States joins us periodically and donated valuable radio-telemetry equipment. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks authorized our research under renewable IACUC Permit # FWP 03-2017 and 2018-06-W, and help with boats each summer. Funding and in-kind support came from the Yellowstone River Research Center at Rocky Mountain College, Montana Space Grant Consortium (NASA), RBC Financial - Blue Planet Grant, The Humane Society of the United States, Musselshell Valley Community Foundation, Yvonne Mansfield Animal Welfare Fund, Cinnabar Foundation, ExxonMobil, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Rocky Mountain College Faculty and SEED Grants, Crow Tribe Fish and Game, Montana Dakota Utilities, Prairie Biotic Research, Grizzly Creek Films, OP & WE Edwards Foundation, Hopa Mountain, and the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER ISLAND MAPPING PROJECT
Example map showing change in shape and area of "Island 1" from 1950-2011.
Students in Dr. Luke Ward’s Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course are collaborating with Our Montana to conduct a pilot study that uses GIS to identify historical change in publicly-owned, vegetated islands in the Yellowstone River.
The project combines digitizing and spatial analysis techniques to map and analyze change in island shape, area, vegetation cover, and land ownership status over time.
The results of the study were used to guide the Beartooth Paddlers in a “bioblitz”-style survey of the islands that will eventually be used to support efforts by Our Montana and other agencies to make the entire 690-mile extent of the Yellowstone River accessible to floaters. The project will also identify long-term ecological monitoring sites on each island.
*** UPDATE! -- Click here to view an update on this project!
The project combines digitizing and spatial analysis techniques to map and analyze change in island shape, area, vegetation cover, and land ownership status over time.
The results of the study were used to guide the Beartooth Paddlers in a “bioblitz”-style survey of the islands that will eventually be used to support efforts by Our Montana and other agencies to make the entire 690-mile extent of the Yellowstone River accessible to floaters. The project will also identify long-term ecological monitoring sites on each island.
*** UPDATE! -- Click here to view an update on this project!
ANNUAL YELLOWSTONE RIVER CLEANUP
Associate Professors Kayhan Ostovar, Luke Ward and students at "halfway point" on the annual cleanup.
Since 2007 Rocky Mountain College has conducted an annual river cleanup float from Duck Creek Bridge to Coulson Park. Many organizations in the community support this project with donations and volunteers.
***UPDATES! --
2020 - Cumulative Impact: Total trash removed is 117,863 lbs, 446 tires and $133,113 value of volunteer hours. We recycled 91,468 lbs of this material (mostly metal).
2016 - Click for a link to a Billings Gazette article on "A Decade of the River Cleanup"
The 2013 cleanup featured the largest number of people to date with 32 people on the river plus 15 on shore based teams. 10 canoes, one kayak, four rafts, two drift boats, and a great vehicle shuttle team. Total haul: 7200 lbs of metal (which was recycled), 37 tires, and many many bags of trash
***UPDATES! --
2020 - Cumulative Impact: Total trash removed is 117,863 lbs, 446 tires and $133,113 value of volunteer hours. We recycled 91,468 lbs of this material (mostly metal).
2016 - Click for a link to a Billings Gazette article on "A Decade of the River Cleanup"
The 2013 cleanup featured the largest number of people to date with 32 people on the river plus 15 on shore based teams. 10 canoes, one kayak, four rafts, two drift boats, and a great vehicle shuttle team. Total haul: 7200 lbs of metal (which was recycled), 37 tires, and many many bags of trash
BIOBLITZ PROJECTS
Children touch a prairie rattlesnake during a presentation by a Bioblitz scientist. Photo - Dave Shumway.
BioBlitzes are truly collaborative projects that bring together professional researchers and citizen scientist. During a BioBlitz a catalog is made of the total biodiversity via a species list. Knowing the number and diversity of species in a given area helps us understand the ecosystems that sustain the clean water, air, and healthy soils that we all enjoy. A BioBlitz provides an opportunity to increase the knowledge of a specific area and generate public awareness and interest from scientists, researchers and volunteers.
In 2007 the first BioBlitz in Montana was conducted on the Yellowstone River in Billings. Organized by Associate Professor Kayhan Ostovar, in partnership with Audubon, this BioBlitz has led to led to other similar projects in the state.
In 2009 we helped Yellowstone Park conduct their first BioBlitz, which received considerable national and even international media attention. In 2011 we worked with the American Prairie Foundation to conduct a BioBlitz on the American Prairie Reserve near the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge on the Missouri River.
The 2012 BioBlitz took place July 6-8 in the Pryors Mountains. More than 80 scientists and students participated, documenting 710 species of plants and animals.
*** UPDATE - Click here for a Billings Gazette article on the 2012 Biltz.
In 2007 the first BioBlitz in Montana was conducted on the Yellowstone River in Billings. Organized by Associate Professor Kayhan Ostovar, in partnership with Audubon, this BioBlitz has led to led to other similar projects in the state.
In 2009 we helped Yellowstone Park conduct their first BioBlitz, which received considerable national and even international media attention. In 2011 we worked with the American Prairie Foundation to conduct a BioBlitz on the American Prairie Reserve near the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge on the Missouri River.
The 2012 BioBlitz took place July 6-8 in the Pryors Mountains. More than 80 scientists and students participated, documenting 710 species of plants and animals.
*** UPDATE - Click here for a Billings Gazette article on the 2012 Biltz.