Elk and Vegetation Management

• Elk and Vegetation Management Plan - Learn More

• Extensive research was done to inform the plan

• Current elk research

• Learn About Chronic Wasting Disease

• Current vegetation research

• Elk and vegetation management

 

Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park are part of a regional, migratory population. Elk and vegetation management in the park is guided by a 20-year plan that addresses the impacts of overabundant elk on park resources. The goal is to begin restoring the natural range of variability in the elk population and affected plant communities.

 

Elk have overbrowsed important vegetation communities like willow.

NPS

Research 1994-2006

Extensive research found that the elk population was larger, less migratory and more concentrated than it would be under more natural conditions. This resulted in heavy use of the winter range and a corresponding decline of vegetation habitats that many other wildlife species depend on.

 

Top: Fences, called elk exclosures, protect aspen trees from elk browsing.
Middle: Park staff monitor vegetation conditions annually.
Bottom: Willows are recovering in Horseshoe Park.

NPS

Interagency Plan Development 2003-2007

The Elk and Vegetation Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (EVMP)defines specific goals for the park's elk population and vegetation conditions. The plan presents a variety of conservation tools that include temporary fencing, vegetation restoration, elk redistribution and culling to achieve the following objectives:

• 600-800 elk wintering on low elevation winter range on the east side of the park.
• 45 percent of aspen stands regenerating new trees.
• 20 percent increase in willow height with at least 31 percent willow cover in suitable habitat.

This plan does not address chronic wasting disease management. If research suggests a need to manage the disease, it would be addressed by a separate disease management plan.

Implementation Phase 2008-2028

Park staff monitor progress toward achieving these objectives according to adaptive management principles outlined in the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan. Over time, park managers can then revise actions to successfully achieve these goals. Current research continues to advance our knowledge of these complex relationships through park supported scientific studies.

Current Conditions

The elk population is currently at or below the winter population objective of 600-800 animals on low elevation winter range. A report summarizing current elk population and vegetation conditions after five years of plan implementation will be released in 2015 as part of the first adaptive management review of plan implementation.