Author

Macie Robison

Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Alcock, Frank

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the few remaining areas in the contiguous United States that contains a stable and thriving population of grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis). Management policies and practices have heavily impacted the success of this species’ survival. This thesis examines the relationship between the public, government agencies, and the state of Yellowstone’s grizzly population both spatially and temporally. It addresses both historic and current issues facing grizzly bears in the ecosystem today, and includes stakeholder perspectives gathered through unstructured interviews, historic documents, and legislation. It concludes that the future management of grizzly bears is an issue of politics, as opposed to ecology.

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