How are we saving aspen at Wind Cave National Park?
Wind Cave National Park, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Park Service Cooperative Conservation Initiative are working together to protect the park’s aspen. Pines have been removed from aspen stands, to reduce competition for sunlight and moisture. Wildlife fences have been installed at various locations. Fences reduce the availability of aspen to elk in the short-term. However, protection and expansion of aspen will, in the long-term, increase habitat and bio-diversity for many species of plants and wildlife, including elk.
