Enjoy this site? Donate to Conservation International. The earth (and Harrison Ford) thank you!

DONATE $100 BY 12/31 and I will send you a free framed Yellowstone wildlife photo of your choice from my website collection!

I consider myself lucky to have lived and worked in two of the largest national parks: Yosemite and Yellowstone. Even though our national parks are some of the best-protected places on the planet, they still face threats from climate change, pollution, and a host of other environmental ills.

This year, I am joining Conservation International and Harrison Ford in “giving it up for conservation.” Instead of buying yet another pair of the requsite holiday-themed argyle socks that languish in the sock drawer all year, how about donating $10 to one of the best charities working to preserve life on this planet?

I enjoy sharing my adventures in Yellowstone and beyond with all of you and hope this site helps you stay connected to you favorite wild creatures and natural places. Running this site is an entirely volunteer endeavor—I spend hundreds of hours a year creating the content, pay all the expenses out of pocket, and accept no advertising.

So if you enjoy reading about the wolves howling in Yellowstone, or gazing at the photos of grizzly bears, consider giving back to Conservation International to ensure those wonderful animals continue to thrive.

My goal is to raise $1,000 by New Year’s Day. Please help by donating now at my Conservation International Crowdrise site. And forward the link to friends: http://www.crowdrise.com/harrisonford-ci/fundraiser/bethpratt

Thank you! And Harrison Ford thanks you as well!

Harrison Ford urges environmental action from Conservation International on Vimeo.

Grand Teton National Park & Jackson Hole

Last week, I had my first visit to the Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole (or Jackson as the locals refer to it). From Gardiner, we drove the entire length of Yellowstone, a 4 hour trip from the north to south entrance. For added excitement, the weather offered a constant snowstorm for our trip.

Although I wasn't in Jackson for the most exicting of reasons--I was attending a training on storage tank compliance--I enjoyed the trip. The Grand Tetons remind me of the Eastern Sierra landscape and Jackson has a little California flavor--with a western flair. I also had my first moose sighting out here as we passed through Grand Teton National Park.

No sign of Harrison Ford, but you can bet I kept my eyes open for a sighting. I'll be making a trip to Bozeman at the end of the month for the new Indiana Jones movie--can you believe it's been almost 30 years since the last one?

Camping Out in My New Home

The movers are due in tomorrow morning (keep your fingers crossed!), so with the help of a co-worker's air mattress, I decided to camp out in my new home tonight. After over a week of being on the road and in hotels, it's nice to be in a home of sorts. I'm relaxing by the fire and reading my new Vanity Fair (with Harrison Ford on the cover--Indy's Back!) and snacking on pizza from MacKenzie River Pizza in Bozeman. I made a trip to Bozeman today to pick up groceries and some things for the house--it's a great college town with much to offer.

P.S. Check out yesterday's Washington Post style section. My talented BFF Jack Laws is featured in an article titled: "In the Sierra Nevada, A Modern Audubon Stalks Skinks & Bugs."