The Bozeman Forestry Sciences Laboratory employs three scientists and a variety of technical and post-doctoral support with expertise in such areas as wildlife biology, ecology, entomology, and forestry. The lab conducts research in three program areas: Grassland, Shrubland and Desert Ecosystems (GSDE), Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystems (WTE), and Inventory, Monitoring and Analysis.
Bozeman is located in southwestern Montana about 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.
Research for GSDE is focused on Classical Biological Control of Invasive Plants using the plantsí natural enemies. Researchers are identifying effective biocontrol agents for several species of weeds. The program conducts rigorous pre-release evaluations and long-term post-release monitoring in order to determine the efficacy and safety of the biocontrol agents.
WTE researchers are studying the effects of fire, salvage logging, and beetle outbreaks on habitat and populations of birds. Their research includes the Birds and Burn Network, a network of studies directed by Rocky Mountain Research Station in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest Research Station, the Nature Conservancy, and several universities to understand the ecological consequences of fire-management on woodpeckers, other cavity-nesting birds, and songbirds.