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Yellowstone is the largest national park in the continental United States. Encompassing over two million undeveloped acres, it spans three states: Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Within the Park's vast territory, a multitude of wildlife - including bison, grizzly bears, pronghorn antelope and elk - live and migrate. For centuries, these animals roamed freely over the land. But decades ago, ranchers built fence lines blocking traditional wildlife migration routes. Many species, like pronghorn and elk, were tangled in barbed wire or trapped in pastures without adequate food. To thrive, Yellowstone's migrating species need unobstructed access to their migration routes in and out of the Park. Nature Valley is helping to make this a reality.

OUR PROGRESS
In 2011, Nature Valley made it possible for volunteers to expand the fence removal project they began, with our help, in 2010. Last summer, they removed over 1.5 miles of 80-year-old, four-strand barbed wire fence on a ranch adjacent to the Park. For decades, this fence had blocked a primary wildlife migration corridor. The volunteers also modified over a mile of fencing along the east side of Highway 89, opening up a vast amount of winter habitat for the Park's wildlife. The result: For the first time in 70 years, pronghorn antelope were spotted along the northern boundaries of Yellowstone National Park.

OUR PLANS
In 2012, Volunteers will expand their fence removal/modification project. They will:

1. Continue to remove and modify fences that obstruct traditional migration routes.
2. Build on relationships with landowners, land managers and community members to identify fences that block wildlife routes.
3. Encourage, where possible, the use of pronghorn-friendly alternatives to four-strand barbed wire.

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Within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park lies part of the 6,000-year-old, 120-mile migration corridor known as the Path of the Pronghorns, the longest terrestrial migration path in the continental United States. Over the years, fences built on private land adjacent to the park have obstructed this migration path and injured moose, deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and low-flying waterfowl such as trumpeter swans. To wildlife, barbed wire fencing is "invisible," particularly during stormy winter months. Animals can become ensnared as they move in and out of the Park while searching for food or migrating. To survive, Grand Teton National Park's wildlife need a safe route across park boundaries. Nature Valley is helping make this possible.

OUR PROGRESS
Last summer, Nature Valley helped volunteers mark fencing with 15,000 painted black-and-white vinyl "fence flags" that enable wildlife to recognize and avoid hazardous barbed wire. Five miles of fencing were marked along a 640-acre section that forms the perimeter of Grand Teton National Park.

OUR PLANS
In 2012, volunteers will continue this important project. They will:

1. Expand work with partners to identify additional "problem" fences adjacent to Grand Teton National Park.
2. Purchase and place more visibility flappers called "fence flags" to help migrating animals - such as elk, deer and pronghorn - see the fences.
3. Continue outreach to landowners/managers to educate them about the importance of alerting wildlife to the presence of fences on the landscape.

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Bighorn sheep, six species of rattlesnakes and numerous native and migratory birds including golden eagles, roadrunners and quail - all live in or migrate through Joshua Tree National Park. An important source of water and food for this wildlife is located outside the Park's western boundary in the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Recently, windblown nitrogen pollution has been fertilizing invasive grasses in Big Morongo. These grasses crowd out the native plants the Park's wildlife feed on. Worse still, these grasses fuel fires caused by summer lightning strikes and burn thousands of wild acres. To protect the wildlife of Joshua Tree National Park, invasive grasses need to be weeded out. Nature Valley is making this happen.

OUR PROGRESS
Last summer, Nature Valley helped volunteers uproot and eliminate invasive pigweed, a plant that smells like rotten fish, from a large field in Big Morongo Canyon. Two dumpsters were filled with the invasive species and hauled off for disposal.

OUR PLANS
In 2012 the removal of invasive species will continue. Plans include:

1. Working with volunteers in new areas adjacent to the Park to pull invasive weeds, remove trash and make the region more hospitable to wildlife.
2. Renewing participation in a project to help sustain healthy ecosystems and benefit wildlife native to Joshua Tree National Park.

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Biscayne National Park is the only national park that's 95% under water. Situated south of the city of Miami, FL, decades ago land developers drained much of the coastal habitat around the Park to accommodate the city's rapid growth. Unfortunately, this threatened the health of coastal wildlife and the plant species they depend upon for food, shelter and nesting. What's needed are the means to protect this fragile coastal ecosystem endangered by expanding urban development. Nature Valley helped make this possible.

OUR PROGRESS
During 2010 and 2011, Nature Valley supported efforts including the restoration of the national coastal habitat of Oleta River State Park, which is adjacent to Biscayne National Park. With Nature Valley's help, volunteers planted 400 small trees. In addition, we helped make it possible for professional contractors with heavy machinery to plant many larger, mature-growth trees.

THE OUTCOME
Together, these plantings helped to restore a unique type of native tropical forest known as a Hardwood Hammock. As it grows, this newly planted Hardwood Hammock will become an important habitat for birds and wildlife species. Over time, it will help ensure the health of Biscayne National Park's coastal ecosystem for generations to come.

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Rugged coastlines, stark granite peaks and historic carriage roads - year after year, people return to Acadia National Park to immerse themselves in the beauty of these unique surroundings. But for visitors of Bar Harbor, Maine, there are not enough easy ways to reach the Park without a car. Yet, excessive car traffic - especially during the busy summer months - can strain Park resources and potentially impact delicate ecosystems. What's needed are improved ways for visitors and residents to access Acadia National Park on foot or with a bicycle. Nature Valley is helping to make this possible.

OUR PROGRESS
During 2011, Nature Valley helped volunteers, Park staff and representatives of nonprofit organizations begin construction of a three-quarter-mile connector trail between the town of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Known as the Duck Brook Road Connector, this four-foot-wide trail provides direct Park access for pedestrians and people walking their bicycles.

OUR PLANS
In 2012, work on this project will continue and include:

1. Building out a new section of trail on private property.
2. Adding bridges or boardwalks over boggy terrain.
3. Maintaining the connector trail's soil stabilization and drainage systems.
4. Continuing the ongoing program of native plantings along the trail.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. Within its lush perimeter lie miles of ancient forests, streams and a rich diversity of native plants and wildlife. Unfortunately, the Park's mild weather and abundant rainfall have also allowed a number of invasive plants and animals to establish themselves here. Many are so aggressive they threaten to crowd out native species. In addition, large tracts of private land adjacent to the Park require restoration and stewardship measures to protect threatened migratory songbirds and native wildlife. What's needed are the means to remove invasive vegetation, reintroduce native growth and make the habitat in and around the Park more hospitable to songbirds and native wildlife. Nature Valley is helping to make all this happen.

OUR PROGRESS
Over the course of 2011, Nature Valley helped volunteers and crew members remove almost 45 acres of invasive plants within and adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Native tree seedlings were also planted along the banks of waterways flowing into the Park to improve water quality and safeguard four federally protected native fish species — the Spotfin Chub, the Duskytail Darter, the Smoky Madtom and the Yellowfin Madtom.

OUR PLANS
In 2012, volunteers plan to expand their focus. They will:

1. Work in conjunction with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to support habitat restoration on 500 acres of private land adjacent to the Park.
2. Attract migratory songbird populations by feathering the forest edge of high-elevation pastures.
3. Rehabilitate and repair the damage to landscape caused by foraging wild hogs.
4. Continue to remove invasive, non-native vegetation like Oriental Bittersweet, multiflora rose, privet and garlic mustard, among others.
5. Work with the American Chestnut Foundation to reintroduce native Chestnut trees into the Southern Appalachian landscape.

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The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, Everglades National Park is home to vast wetlands, fresh and saltwater marshes, mangrove forests and sea grass ecosystems. Yet, situated near the Park, is the 24-acre Florida City Pinelands Preserve. One of the Everglades National Park's natural gateways, the Preserve is threatened by non-native plant species that are endangering the plants and wildlife of the Park itself. An additional challenge is that local visitors lack a direct entrance to the Preserve and Everglades National Park. In 2012, Nature Valley has stepped up to help address both these challenges.

OUR PLANS
In 2012, Nature Valley will help volunteers:

1. Build an entrance into the Preserve with a clearly designated footpath.
2. Install educational signage that links the Preserve to the unique ecosystems of Everglades National Park.
3. Remove invasive vegetation.
4. Plant indigenous species that provide habitat, food and nesting for native wildlife.

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Soaring 9,200 feet above sea level at its highest point, plunging 6,000 feet at its depth; Grand Canyon National Park offers a stunning range of elevation and diverse ecosystems. Within these ecosystems that range from desert to forests, live rare plant species - some found nowhere else on earth. Sadly, these endemic plants are threatened by, among other things, invasive, non-native vegetation. The Park needed the means to protect and preserve the unique native plants that grow in and around the Grand Canyon. Nature Valley helped make it possible.

OUR PROJECT
During 2010, Nature Valley enabled volunteers to remove over 400,000 non-native, invasive plant species from 1,667 acres directly impacting the Grand Canyon National Park. Working side-by-side with Park botanists and biologists, volunteers helped re-plant over 11,000 native plants across more than 20 acres. They also collected seed from 68 native plant species from the North and South Canyon rims and the Inner Canyon.

THE OUTCOME
By helping to maintain the Park's unparalleled biodiversity, this project helped ensure that future generations will experience the majesty of the Grand Canyon's rare, native vegetation. These include the Sentry Milk-Vetch, a federally-listed endangered species that grows only on the rim of the Grand Canyon.