Trumpeter Swan Project
Trumpeter Swans are one of our region’s most iconic birds and embody the extraordinary landscape we call home. Trumpeters are the largest waterfowl species native to North America, and in addition to being visually magnificent, they exhibit highly cognizant behavior, strong family bonds, and can to live up to 25 years old in the wild. In the Greater Yellowstone region, Trumpeters can be seen and heard near ponds, rivers, and streams year-round.
Once abundant throughout North America, Trumpeter Swans were hunted heavily for their hides and feathers from the 17th through 19th centuries. By the early 1900’s, Trumpeter Swans were thought to be extinct. In 1932, 69 Trumpeters found at Red Rock Lakes, Montana were thought to be the last remaining Trumpeter Swans in existence. Thanks to swift conservation efforts, Trumpeter populations have risen to stable numbers throughout most of their range.
Trumpeter Swans continue to face a number of threats. In Teton Valley and across the globe, many wetlands have been drained or filled, negatively impacting countless wildlife species, including Trumpeters. In addition, declining beaver populations throughout the Greater Yellowstone region have furthered wetland resource losses. Currently, the Greater Yellowstone Trumpeter Swan nesting population is struggling due to lack of habitat. Biologists are seeing fewer nesting trumpeter swan pairs in our region, and even fewer successful nests.
Teton Regional Land Trust has worked with families and other conservation groups over the past 25 years to conserve over 33,000 acres in East Idaho, including 11,000 acres in Teton Valley. The successes of our wetland protection and restoration program, combined with Teton Basin’s strategic location, have created a unique opportunity to reestablish Trumpeter Swan nesting in Teton Valley, and enhance Trumpeter nesting throughout the Greater Yellowstone region.
In 2013, TRLT teamed up with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Wyoming Wetlands Society, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Trumpeter Swan Society, and a local family to release Trumpeter Swans onto a protected wetland in an attempt to establish a nesting population in Teton Valley.
On May 6th, TRLT and partners will be continuing this exciting endeavor by releasing 5 yearling Trumpeter Swans in Teton Valley. Please join in on the excitement by clicking here to view our released Trumpeter Swans on our Web Camera before they migrate! The 2016 released Trumpeters will be wearing green neck collars with white lettering, so please help us on our look out! We have a Trumpeter Swan Observation Form here, and we encourage all to use it to help keep us informed of any Trumpeter Swan sightings.
If you want to support the continuation of this project, please consider giving on Thursday May, 5th through Idaho Gives! Visit https://idahogives.razoo.com/us/story/Teton-Regional-Land-Trust. Join us at MarCellar’s Wine and Brew, 431 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls from 5:30-8 pm on Thursday, May 5th to celebrate.
TRLT’s mission is to conserve working farms and ranches, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and scenic landscapes in Eastern Idaho for present and future generations. Always feel free to stop by our office at 1520 S. 500 W. in Driggs and open 9-5 weekdays, or give us a call at 208-354-8939 for more information on the Trumpeter Swan reintroduction, conservation efforts, volunteer opportunities, programs, events and more.
