Vicky's Sharebook 

Because of the BP Oil Spill, critical turtle habitat needs urgent protection! More than 300 Kemp's Ridley Turtles have died from oil contamination. The turtles have been around 3-4 million years are heading to extinction! Please sign the letter to the Federal Government asking protection BEFORE JUNE 27th!

*****  Email Superintendent Erickson with a message of thanks and encouragement at mcerickson@fs.fed.us *****

Wild buffalo on Horse Butte last April.  BFC file photo.

We have excellent news to share with you:  Gallatin National Forest recently made the decision to close the public lands cattle grazing allotments on Horse Butte. The allotments have been vacant and unused for several years, but vacancy status leaves an open door for cattle to return.  Now that they are closed, this helps permanently protect Horse Butte from the destructive presence of cattle, and will help efforts to open Horse Butte to wild bison year round.

We encourage everyone to please send a big thank you to Gallatin National Forest Superintendent Mary Erickson for making this landmark decision.  Let her know that these are the positive steps the Forest Service should take to provide year-round habitat for America's last wild bison population.  This decision will also help protect habitat for all the wild creatures that inhabit Horse Butte, including grizzly bears, wolves, western toads and the purple monkey flower.

Email Superintendent Erickson with a message of thanks and encouragement at mcerickson@fs.fed.us