Craighead Institute Programs:
The Craighead Institute concentrates its projects in four program areas that target the major environmental challenges facing people and wildlife in the changing West:
sustainable land use: The Craighead Institute has developed a powerful conservation planning framework, combining hard scientific information with thoughtful land-use planning and policy. Using GIS-based tools to provide a solid scientific foundation, we are maintaining wildlife connections across both public and private lands to critical habitat in the High Divide region of Montana and Idaho.
climate change: Pikas are serving as vital early sentinels of climate-driven changes in alpine habitats. Our research in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem identifies habitat at risk due to climate change and areas that can act as refugia for these animals in the future.
transportation: Our wildlife fencing on I-90 between Bozeman and Livingston, Montana is proving successful in increasing highway safety, reducing roadkill and guiding species to underpasses and culverts in order to safely traverse the road. We are now exploring options with the Montana Department of Transportation to implement this strategy in other regions of the state.
renewable energy: The Craighead Institute is working to determine areas of highest potential for wind power development to minimize conflicts with marine birds in British Columbia.
The Craighead Institute will analyze impacts of transmission routes in Montana and our research will specifically evaluate the impact of transmission routes on forest carnivore connectivity in the Madison Valley.
sustainable land use: The Craighead Institute has developed a powerful conservation planning framework, combining hard scientific information with thoughtful land-use planning and policy. Using GIS-based tools to provide a solid scientific foundation, we are maintaining wildlife connections across both public and private lands to critical habitat in the High Divide region of Montana and Idaho.
climate change: Pikas are serving as vital early sentinels of climate-driven changes in alpine habitats. Our research in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem identifies habitat at risk due to climate change and areas that can act as refugia for these animals in the future.
transportation: Our wildlife fencing on I-90 between Bozeman and Livingston, Montana is proving successful in increasing highway safety, reducing roadkill and guiding species to underpasses and culverts in order to safely traverse the road. We are now exploring options with the Montana Department of Transportation to implement this strategy in other regions of the state.
renewable energy: The Craighead Institute is working to determine areas of highest potential for wind power development to minimize conflicts with marine birds in British Columbia.
The Craighead Institute will analyze impacts of transmission routes in Montana and our research will specifically evaluate the impact of transmission routes on forest carnivore connectivity in the Madison Valley.