One of a Kind

The UW Research Institute at AMK Ranch in Grand Teton National Park offers unparalleled opportunities.

The University of Wyoming provides many unique opportunities to students and researchers. One great example is the UW Research Institute at AMK Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. The institute, established in 1977, is a cooperative effort between UW and the National Park Service — one of only a handful and the oldest such field station in the United States. The field station aims to advance the frontiers of knowledge by offering a one-of-a-kind facility for scholars. UW students and faculty members partner with the National Park Service and others to increase opportunities for research, creative and cultural activities, and courses connected to Wyoming’s ecosystems, its Native American culture, and its traditions from ranching to recreation.

“This is a really fun partnership where we get to think about priorities for the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and facilitate research,” says Department of Zoology and Physiology Associate Professor Sarah Collins, the station’s director. “It’s a beautiful setting on Jackson Lake, straight in the heart of the Tetons, and a great place for students to get their feet wet doing field research.”

Researchers and students from UW and other universities can apply for housing at the station and the use of its lab spaces if their projects meet its mission and vision.

“We also have a small grant program,” Collins says. “We fund about a dozen projects every year.”

A wide range of research takes place at the station, including projects focused on sagebrush, water conservation, pollinators, archaeology, economics, light pollution, and work to create signs that help tourists and wildlife stay safe. A summer music festival brings composers to the station, and a summer speaker series draws large crowds. AMK also hosts workshops and UW classes.

“There’s been so much interest in this station that we’re looking to expand our facilities in the future — if we can fundraise to do so — because our demand typically outweighs our capacity,” she says.

Collins is a freshwater ecologist who monitors Jackson Lake and the Snake River. She based her research at the station for years before taking on the director role.

“Working at field stations as a student inspired me to become an ecologist,” Collins says. “I think a lot of students find that at AMK. They get an amazing immersive experience in this place where everyone’s doing such diverse research.”

Zoology graduate student Tristan Blechinger of Sauk City, Wis., spent the past two summers at the station studying water-level fluctuations, habitat changes and competition among Snake River cutthroat trout, brown trout and lake trout in Jackson Lake.

“AMK Ranch has benefitted me greatly by providing me with a home base that is close to my study site,” Blechinger says. “Being able to go out on the lake makes it convenient for sampling around weather. Having lab space at the station is perfect for being able to quickly take care of samples without worrying about preserving them for travel. The community at the station is also wonderful, and it’s been fun to make new friends and learn about others’ research each summer.”