Sagebrush Grassland Restoration at Grand Teton National Park

Since 2013, Grand Teton National Park Foundation and partners have been working to restore 4,500 acres near the Mormon Row Historic District in Grand Teton National Park. 

Over the last 13 years, Grand Teton has worked collaboratively with the University of Wyoming, conservation corps, and volunteer crews to rehabilitate a degraded portion of the park back to its native sagebrush grassland. 

Early homesteaders converted the area from native sagebrush grasslands to pasture and hayfield grasses, greatly altering the natural landscape. In 1950, this area, known as the Kelly Hayfields, was incorporated into Grand Teton National Park, but the area struggled to recover without reintroduction of native vegetation.

Planter's belt with Buckwheat and Aster plugs

Seed collected onsite by the team’s crews has been grown by us at Great Bear into 10 cubic inch containerized plants. The restoration team has planted 7,000+ individual plants every fall since 2023. Grand Teton and their partners have also been monitoring the effectiveness of direct seeding versus container-grown plantings in establishing a diverse suite of species across the degraded landscape. 

More than ten native plant species have been used to restore 1,440 acres of the Kelly Hayfields to date. The dominant species being planted, and one of the most foundational to a native sagebrush grassland, is the Mountain Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata v. vaseyana). Amongst the sagebrush are a variety of wildflowers including the monitoring crew’s favorite Sticky Geranium (Geranium viscosissimum), which adds a pop of purple to the restored grasslands. 

Mountain Big Sagebrush

The initial phases of the project focused on planning, research, and testing planting methods; but the team looks forward to more active replanting and restoration of the landscape.

The team at Grand Teton National Park Foundation shared these updates:

“One positive outcome of the project so far is the return of sage-grouse to the restored sections of the Kelly Hayfields, signaling a dramatic shift in behavior. Research data that once documented their avoidance of the area now show renewed use of sites where native vegetation has been reestablished.

Native sagebrush grasslands play a vital role in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. By restoring these plant communities, the initiative supports wildlife, strengthens native plant diversity, and enhances the overall health and ecological balance of the landscape”.

Thank you GTNPF & Partners for working tirelessly to restore one of the great treasures of our mountain west landscape!

Photos and background info provided by BB Hall at Grand Teton National Park Foundation