Grand Teton in Moose in Teton County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Photographed by Thomas Smith, March 22, 2026
1. Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Marker
Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Covering 20 million acres, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems on Earth.
Intact ecosystems are extremely rare today, but this ecosystem has not lost a single species of plant or animal since explored by fur trappers.
Worthy of Protection
Biologist Frank Craighead, Jr. first used the term "Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem" in 1979 to describe the vast area then occupied by grizzly bears.
John (left) teamed with his brother frank (right) to expand their studies beyond grizzly bears. They wanted to understand the ecosystems as a whole and recognized that the entire ecosystem was worthy of protection. The brothers pioneered the use of radio collars in grizzly bear research during their 1959- 1970 study.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Resources • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. 43° 45.104′ N, 110° 43.512′ W. Marker is in Moose, Wyoming, in Teton County. It is in Grand Teton. It is on S. Jenny Lake Walkway 0.1
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Jackson Hole Area and in Greater Yellowstone. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: An Unmapped Range (here, next to this marker); A Lake Named Jenny (a few steps from this marker); A Restless Earth (within shouting distance of this marker); Wonderfully Grand (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roots of Wilderness (about 700 feet away); The Park's First Visitor Area (about 700 feet away); Capturing Dudes (about 700 feet away); The Crandall Studio (about 700 feet away).
Photographed by Thomas Smith, May 22, 2026
2. Jenny Lake
View from sign
Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2026, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
