ROCKY MOUNTAIN http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/wyoming/images/s/wyoming-rocky-mountains.jpg

Location Western United States Colorado Idaho Montana Nevada Utah Wyoming Alaska Western Canada Yukon Alberta British Colombia Northwest Territories http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/willow/the-rocky-mountains0.gif http://www.answers.com/topic/mountain-states http://canada.gc.ca/othergov-autregouv/prov-eng.html

Weather/Climate Highland Climate Changes with increasing altitude Mild, dry summers Cold winters Average precipitation of 14 inches a year Winter- 1.4” Spring- 4.2” Summer- 5.9” Fall-2.6” http://www.weatherwise.org/bin/d/u/California-photo-1.jpg http://www.rockymountainclimate.org/ http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rocky-mountain.htm

Landforms Rocks are the foundation of everything Animals make homes in rocks and plants Plants take advantage of the landforms Very hilly http://www.nationalparklover.com/images/co/rocky/2005_0916_rocky_mtn01_0146.JPG http://www.mountainnature.com/geology/

Waterways Many rivers Colorado River The Gunnison Rio Grande Arkansas River The Big Thompson La Poudre River Waterfalls Alberta Falls Calypso Cascades Ouzel Falls Fern Falls Bridal Veil Falls http://ih0.redbubble.net/work.2038965.4.flat,550x550,075,f.rocky-mountain-waterfall.jpg http://myrockymountainpark.com/TTD/ShowThingsToDo.aspx?ttd=28&index=4 http://www.colorado-hiking-vacations.com/rocky-mountain-national-park-trails.html

Vegetation Vegetation of Rocky Mountains Forest Pine trees Fir trees Spruce trees Plants cling to rock and hard soil Very sturdy and not easily pulled out of ground http://www.us-parks.com/images/rocky-mountain-national-park/rocky-mountain-national-park-p-1801-m.jpg http://www.mikehudak.com/PhotoEssays/BrumleyRidge2001/010914_6.15_12V2.jpg http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rocky_mountain.htm

Animals Animals of the Rocky Mountains Fox Moose Pika Marmot Elk Deer Bison Bighorn Sheep Migrate to lower and warmer elevations during winter Some shed brown fir and replace it with white to blend in with snow Surefooted and sturdy http://www.karltipple.com/index_files/animals.htm http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/rocky_mountain.htm

Environmental Issues Many things cause harm to the Rocky Mountains Timber harvesting Grazing Oil exploration Causes slope erosion Mining operations Great quantities of harmful metals have been releases into streams and groundwater Reservoir operations http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/506418/Rocky-Mountains/39936/Environmental-concerns http://www.mining-law-reform.info/Grouse%20Creek%20Mine.jpg

History/Culture History of the Rocky Mountains Ancient trails Game drives Cattle ranches Old lodges Much was saved and still exists After WWII the NPS implemented mission 66 Nationwide development and improvement program http://www.nps.gov/romo/historyculture/index.htm http://www.free-slideshow.com/stock-photos/green_mountains/ancient-mountain-road.jpg http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~p.cargile/images/lowimg/Rocky_6.jpg

Preservation Efforts 1960s Congress passed environmental laws to protect Rockies More natural resources found every year Precautions on trails Limited snowmobiling More thought out environmental rules Use of vehicles and bicycles is prohibited Skiing in Hidden Valley stopped Restoration of creek and vegetation began Protection of Rockies ecosystem Help of local organizations Doesn’t stop at park boundaries http://www.nps.gov/romo/historyculture/index.htm http://www.ohranger.com/rocky-mountain/preserve-park http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/136486/2/istockphoto_136486-no-motor-vehicle-allowed.jpg http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/rocky-mountain-dream-lake-trail-colorado-col287.jpg