‘Saving Yellowstone’ Series Highlights UW Researchers

University of Wyoming scientists are front and center in a four-part television series, "Saving Yellowstone with Dennis Quaid," now airing on Animal Planet.

Assistant Professor Ellen Aiken, in the School of Computing, along with Associate Professor Joe Holbrook, Dean John Koprowski and Professor Kevin Monteith, all from the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, provide expertise on lesser-known animal species that play important roles in conservation of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

The first two episodes aired Nov. 26 and Dec. 3, and the next is scheduled Wednesday, Dec. 10. Aiken offers expertise on golden eagles, Holbrook on coyotes and foxes, Monteith on beavers and Koprowski on red squirrels.

"The episodes highlight the creative efforts and passion of the faculty and graduate students at the University of Wyoming," Koprowski says. "Most importantly, as the first university to join the project in collaboration with the Jackson Fork Ranch, the national and international leadership and strength of UW's wildlife, natural resources and environmental expertise are clearly on display."

Koprowski says UW graduate students Ellen Yee, Emily Davis, Macy Jacobsen and Lauren Wetterau are "truly the stars of the show."

"Not only were students receiving great mentorship on the science, but all involved were working to hone their storytelling skills to communicate the fascinating roles of these lesser-known species in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem," Koprowski says.

The series came from the vision of Joe Ricketts, owner of the Jackson Fork Ranch in Sublette County, who has provided a major gift to UW to support environmental stewardship and conservation across Wyoming.

"A very unique aspect of the 'Saving Yellowstone' series is that the research funded by the Jackson Fork Ranch and the people engaged in that research are highlighted in the various episodes," Koprowski says.

Well-known actor Quaid, who lived near Yellowstone National Park for years, is the host of the series. He attended a conservation summit at the Jackson Fork Ranch in August, where a trailer of the series was viewed, and told the group how he admired wildlife conservationists who provide detailed insight into the challenges and solutions in the ecosystem.

The series was produced by Warm Springs Productions in Missoula, Mont. A second season of "Saving Yellowstone with Dennis Quaid" reportedly is already in production, with four more episodes planned.

While the series is premiering on Animal Planet, episodes also may be available through Discovery and various platforms that carry Animal Planet content.