The Hub Conservation Area - Montanans 4 Safe Wildlife Passage

Tom Miner to Mill CreekSpeciesGeographic BoundaryThis linkage extends from the Tom MinerBasin in the upper Paradise Valley, acrossthe Yellowstone River, and along thewestern face of the Absaroka Range toMill Creek, and along the lower easternfoothills of the Gallatin Range.Importance of Linkage AreaThis linkage, combined with the Gallatinlinkage, encompasses all of the wildlifevalues for which the Greater YellowstoneEcosystem (GYE) is noted. Major elk,bison, wolf, and grizzly bear seasonalhabitats and movement corridors existwithin the linkage, and connect withcritical adjoining habitat and linkagesis all directions. Maintaining habitatvalues here is critical to maintaining theecological functioning of the northernhalf of the GYE.Mountain ranges connected in thislinkage: Gallatin Range, Absaroka RangeEcological SettingThis linkage spans the upper end of theParadise Valley on the Yellowstone Riverjust north of Yellowstone National Park.Topography in the linkage ranges fromthe broad river bottom across alluvialfans and benches into steeply-risingslopes that extend to high alpine areasamong spectacular peaks. The easternand southern part of the linkage adjoinsthe Absaroka Beartooth WildernessArea. Elevations in the linkage rangefrom about 5,000 feet at the Mill Creek-Yellowstone confluence to over 10,000feet. The Yellowstone River floodplainsupports a moderately extensivecottonwood (Populus spp.) and willow(Salix spp.) riparian community whileadjoining upland benches support drygrasslands and some sagebrush (Artemisia176tridentata spp.) patches. Lower foothillssupport scattered stands of limber pine(Pinus flexilis) and Rocky Mountainjuniper (Juniperus scopulorum). Lowerto mid elevation mountain slopes supportextensive Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii) and lodgepole (P. contorta)forest mixed with Engelmann spruceon wetter sites. At highest elevations,subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) becomesmore common, with whitebark pine (P.albicaulis) on the highest ridgetops neartimber line. Highway 89 and a varietyof other roads bisect the linkage alongthe Yellowstone River. The ParadiseValley is widely developed with scatteredranches, dispersed residences, andseveral subdivisions. Irrigated hay landand pasture have been developed. Someof these lands are now being subdivided.Some timber harvest has occurred, mostlyin the Tom Miner Basin and west side ofthe Gallatin range. This linkage lies atthe northern gateway to YellowstoneNP are receives significant seasonalrecreational use and tourist traffic.WildlifeWolverine: The upper half of the linkageis quality wolverine habitat but is notlarge enough to sustain permanentoccupancy. Ungulate populationscould provide a good prey base forwolverines, but at lower elevationshuman disturbance is a limiting factor.This linkage is particularly important formaintaining connectivity with adjoininghabitats.Canada lynx: Suitable habitat is availablethat has been occupied in the past, andcould serve as an important connection toadjoining areas. Sporadic observations oftracks are currently seen on the west sideof the linkage. A lone female lynx is using“non-typical” habitat in Mill Creek.