Yellowstone Permit Conditions
1. You are responsible for the research activities of your staff. Ensure that field staff adhere to all conditions of your permit. Field staff must possess a copy of your permit at all times while in the field.
2. You are required to post your research trip itineraries online no later than the Sunday prior to your trip at https://irma.nps.gov/rprs/. Once in the park, report all emergencies by calling 911.
3. You are required to have a Safety Plan on file that addresses the range of activities you will encounter while working in Yellowstone. All field staff must review the Safety Plan prior to beginning work. At a minimum, a safety plan shall cover a) training requirements and documentation that personnel have received appropriate training (e.g. bear safety, bear spray use, thermal area safety, fording streams); b) work party size (hiking in groups of 3 or more is recommended in bear country); c) safety equipment (e.g. bear spray for each person, rain gear, heat resistant gloves, extendable pole for sampling hot springs); d) trip itinerary with daily activities and travel patterns; e) worker check-in. Note: In addition to completing the online researcher check-in per Yellowstone Condition #2, it is advised that all field personnel designate an emergency contact (e.g. supervisor, co-worker) whom they will check-in with at the end of each field day or session. This designated emergency contact will know the trip details and will contact emergency services (911) and the Research Permit Office (307-344-2239) in the event field staff fail to make contact.
4. While conducting fieldwork, researchers are prohibited from possessing firearms (unless authorized by the Superintendent). Researchers are also prohibited from bringing firearms into government buildings or government vehicles (cars, boats, aircraft).
5. Unless authorized on your permit, you must conduct research out of public view. If you have obtained permission to work in public view, it will be noted in your permit-specific conditions.
6. If you are approved to collect specimens (either to be permanently retained or destroyed through analysis), contact the Yellowstone Curator’s Office (307-344-2565) to report your collections annually. Specimens must be tracked and an inventory provided to Yellowstone (count, type, and location) by February 28th following the permit year. Prior to collecting specimens, a repository form must be completed and on file. Any permanently retained specimens must bear accession and catalog numbers, and include the required metadata per the NPS’s catalog system.
7. All equipment left in the field, including plot markers, must be specifically authorized in advance. Label all equipment with your name, phone number, and the words "Research Study #XXXX.” You must record equipment coordinates with GPS.
8. Your research permit does not authorize you to enter closed or restricted areas in Yellowstone. Examples include most service roads, carcass dump sites, bear management areas, thermal areas, some bird nesting areas, wolf den sites, and trout spawning areas.
9. Cultural resources must not be adversely impacted by your research activities. Ground disturbance (e.g. digging) must be specifically authorized in advance. Report any archeological findings (artifacts, historical trash, rock cairns) to the Research Permit Office.
10. The Permittee agrees to notify the Chief of Resources of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) of every subject discovery or invention that relates in any respect to research results derived from YNP research studies or use of any research specimens or other materials collected from YNP, or that may be patentable or otherwise protected under the intellectual property (IP) laws of the United States or other jurisdiction. Notification must occur within sixty (60) days of the time that an inventor or other agent of the Permittee reports such a subject discovery or invention to the person(s) responsible for patent or other proprietary rights matters in the Permittee's organization. Additionally, the Permittee agrees to notify the Chief of Resources of Yellowstone within thirty (30) days of filing any patent application or other IP claim in the United States or other country that relates in any respect to research results or other discoveries or inventions derived from YNP research studies or any research specimens or other materials collected from YNP. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "subject discovery or invention" means any discovery or invention related to or derived from YNP research studies, or research specimens or other materials collected from YNP. All invention disclosures shall be marked as confidential under 35 U.S.C. Section 205.
11. Any use, including social media, websites, newspapers, periodicals, etc. of photos or videos from within closed areas or of research taking place in closed areas is prohibited without prior NPS approval. All filming associated with this permit must be reviewed and approved in advance by the park's Film Permit Office. A Film Permit may be required. Filming of certain research activities may be used for education in a classroom setting or on private educational platforms which are password protected and the footage must clearly state that the research was conducted under a Yellowstone Research Permit. For more information, contact Rachel_Cudmore@nps.gov or 307-344-2722.
12. Each year, you are required to submit electronic copies of journal articles, theses, and dissertations that result from your permit to the Research Permit Office.
13. You may not leave chemicals in the park, including in lab spaces, offices, or storage areas.
