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<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Times New Roman"
color="#000000"><b>World Renowned Ungulate Biologist to Speak About
Central Idaho's Wildlands</b><br>
<br>
Dr. Jim Peek, Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Resources at the
University of Idaho, will be sharing his studies of the Central Idaho
Wildlands on Tuesday, 20 February, 7:00 p.m. at the U of I Law School
Courtroom (corner of 6th and Rayburn). Peek will share data collected
and insight gained from years of field research in the Frank
Church-River of No Return Wilderness and surrounding wild country.<br>
<br>
A world-renowned elk biologist, Dr. Peek has been studying the
ungulates of the Central Idaho Wildlands and surrounding region for
decades. His extensive research in the Frank Church Wilderness will be
the basis of his lecture that will reveal the ecological relationships
between the region's rich wildlife, including wolves, elk, mule
deer, and big horn sheep, and the ways in which these wildlife
populations are shaped by snow, drought, predation, and most notably,
fire.<br>
<br>
"The Frank", as it is often known, at two and a third million
acres, makes up a large portion of the wild heart of Central Idaho.
Combined with the Gospel Hump and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Areas
to the north, Central Idaho boasts the largest wilderness complex in
the lower 48 states.<br>
<br>
These protected Wilderness areas and adjacent roadless country
continue to function in large part as they have since time immemorial,
providing clean water, clean air, healthy and dynamic wildlife
populations, and a high quality of life for those who spend time
there. This region still supports the proliferation of almost every
native species that has historically been present in the area
including wolves, wild steelhead and chinook salmon, mountain goats,
wolverines, and bull trout.<br>
<br>
Dr. Peek's expertise on this region and its wildlife is undeniable.
In addition to his work in "the Frank," he was involved in a
5-year study of the wolves in the Copper River Delta, Alaska, chaired
the position statement for The Wildlife Society on wolves, and was on
the Idaho Wolf Management Committee, appointed by the state
legislature. Though he retired in 1999, he is still holds an office on
the U of I campus as a professor of wildlife resources.</font><br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Times New Roman"
color="#000000">The wealth of information Dr. Peek has collected
through years of research and professional experience provide him with
a unique perspective, a big picture interlaced with solid scientific
data and conclusion. According to Peek, "the balance of nature is a
dynamic process, not the status quo." Please join us as we have the
opportunity to learn from an incredible scientist and community
resource concerning our region's rich natural heritage. There will
be a brief reception following Dr. Peek's talk.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Times New Roman"
color="#000000"><br></font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Times New Roman"
color="#000000">This talk is sponsored by Friends of the Clearwater,
the Palouse Group of the Sierra Club, UI Society for People and the
Environment, and the UI Environmental Law Society. Co-sponsors include
Groundworks, Palouse Prairie Foundation, Paradise Ridge Defense
Council, Moscow High School Environmental Club, Palouse Audubon
Society, Idaho Native Plant Soceity-White Pine Chapter, UI
Environmental Club, and the Wolf Education Research
Center.</font></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Times New Roman"
color="#000000"><br></font></blockquote>
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