Jackson Fork Ranch Gift Funds Biodiversity Research

A new research and multimedia collaboration at the University of Montana will cast a spotlight on the intricate web of life in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, ranging from bison and grizzly bears to songbirds and osprey.

A major gift from Joe Ricketts’ Jackson Fork Ranch to the University of Montana Foundation will fund a multiyear collaboration that seeks to better understand biodiversity in the 34,375 square-mile ecosystem spanning Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, with Yellowstone National Park at its center.

“Curiosity for, and conservation of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's magnificent biodiversity is at the core of Jackson Fork Ranch’s approach to hospitality. We're proud to partner with the University of Montana to fund the understanding and protection of the remarkable wildlife around us,” said entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Ricketts, CEO of Jackson Fork Ranch.

Faculty from the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation will lead a series of four research studies, supported by master’s and doctoral students funded through Ricketts’ gift. Missoula-based Warm Springs Productions will film the research for distribution through multimedia channels to raise awareness about biodiversity issues in the region.

“This generous gift allows the Franke College to build on the success of our biodiversity and conservation programs at the University of Montana,” said Alan Townsend, dean of the Franke College. “We are deeply grateful for this support and are dedicated to using it to make a real difference in helping to understand and protect one of the planet’s most remarkable ecosystems.”