Yellowstone Migrations - (Hardcover)

About the Book

Herds of elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope have migrated hundreds of miles over North America for millennia---driven by their DNA, their routes follow ancient travel paths

Book Synopsis

Winner of the Gold Nautilus Book Award and the Silver Independent Publisher Book Award

Large animal migrations are among the primordial rhythms of life on Earth, and, as scientists have recently discovered, the American West is home to some of the planet's most magnificent migrations. Yellowstone Migration takes readers into the heart of the vast, wild landscapes found in America's West, and shows us that it is possible to preserve the natural heritage of this iconic region and protect these last intact natural wildlife corridors--so that these animals can carry out the migrations that are essential to their survival.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is a dozen times the size of Yellowstone National Park, harbors the last great populations of migrating elk, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer. Thousands of these grand animals move with the changing seasons to feed and give birth. During their four-month long journey, mule deer navigate not only the natural challenges of rivers, lakes, and sand dunes, but also manmade obstacles such as three major highways and more than 100 fences, many with barbed wire.

In Yellowstone Migrations, wildlife photojournalist Joe Riis follows three primary migrations:
- The "Path of the Pronghorn" from Grand Teton National Park to southwest Wyoming;
- The mule deer migration from Red Desert to Hoback, Wyoming; and
- The Cody elk migration on the Absaroka front.

People who care about the American West face a choice: we can manage our public and private lands in ways that allow and encourage these migrations, or we can encumber these animals with unchecked development, changing climate, pollution, and barriers. Riis's stunning imagery and on-the-ground experiences shed light on these amazing animals and how, for them, migration is a matter of life or death.

To learn more about Braided River and its mission: inspiring people to protect wild places through images and stories that change perspectives, please visit www.braidedriver.org

Review Quotes

...a show-and-tell of the strength, beauty and vulnerability of the animals during their treks.It includes a section on highway barriers to migration and solutions.--Sharon Wootton "Everett Herald"

"In Yellowstone Migrations, photojournalist and former wildlife biologist Joe Riis documents the movement of pronghorn, mule deer and elk through the region. His images show the many obstacles the animals face -- from fast-moving rivers to fences, highways, homes and other development."--Rebecca Worby "High Country News"

A book of stunning photographs of six wild species -- pronghorn, mule deer, elk, bison, moose and bighorn sheep -- making their way across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Photos taken by Riis, a wildlife biologist turned photojournalist.--Mackenzie Dawson "New York Post"

At the heart of this book is a message of partnership and collaboration among these groups. Both Riis and Middleton are quick to note that no single organization can preserve the migration routes on its own--so this book is, in part, an effort to raise awareness with as many groups and stakeholders as possible, including the general public.--Jennifer Billock "The Smithsonian"

Marvelous--John Miles "National Parks Traveler"

Simply put, this book is a gem. My work as a University of Montana geography professor focuses on the Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. Yellowstone Country, especially, witnesses dynamic wildlife movement--a key subject in my courses. Other works have been published that have helped my teachings, but none like this one. For anyone with an interest in wild country and wildlife migration, it's all here.--Rick Graetz "Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Magazine"

This hardcover book shows how art and science together can make a difference in awareness, understanding, and policy, and underscores how these humble ungulates are "the lifeblood of the landscape" in middle America."--Scott Johnson "National Parks Traveler"

Yellowstone Migrations by Joe Riis (Braided River, $29.95) is a beautiful and ambitious illustrated study of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and more particularly of the migratory patterns of the animals that call the region home. Riis, a wildlife biologist and award-winning photojournalist and cinematographer, has brought together essays by Gretel Ehrlich, Emilene Ostlind, Arthur Middleton, and Thomas Lovejoy, in addition to his own work. He richly populated the volume with stunning color maps and photographs that capture the constant movement of nature.... Taken together, the words of the essayists, along with the photos and maps, are moving and evocative, and make a strong case for preservation.--Erin H. Turner "Big Sky Journal"