Science of Pando
Monitoring, Data and Interpretation to Advance Research and Preservation
Our Work to Support Research and Preservation
Friends of Pando gathers a variety of data about the Pando Tree. Work that we hope can inform the public and promote further research of this natural wonder without compare. As a citizen-science led organization, we work to uphold and promote Open Science principles by making our research and findings freely available to scientists and the public for study, use and enjoyment. The data has been evaluated for accuracy and, has been shared with both independent scientists and our partners to evaluate quality and control issues previous to publication.
On this page, you will find a collection of general resources, interpreted data, the raw data that supports that work as well as foundational resources to help you plan and develop your research project/s.
The data we provided, is provided “as is”, and has been compiled for others to use, build upon and share alike. If you have questions, concerns or feedback, please use our Contact Us Page. We would also love to hear from you if you use our data on your Pando research projects.
Please Help Us continue to inspire research and understanding by citing:
2022, Friends of Pando et al
Friends of Pando General Science Information
Science of Pando Guide
Download our collated collection of key research papers about Pando and the land it calls home.
Friends of Pando Official Map
Download our official Pando Map and Raw Data for your research projects about Pando.
Cite: Friends of Pando. Paul Rogers, Daren McAvoy, Jennifer DeWoody, Karen Mock, Valerie Hipkins, Carol Rowe
2022 Friends of Pando Field Monitoring Data
Friends of Pando oversees a number of longitudinal projects in the Tree during Peak regeneration season. Major Fence Restoration, Minor Repairs, Fence Fortification, Wildlife Observation and Recreational Uses.
Below, find our interpretations of data and information we collected with associated maps.
Below, you can find and use Raw Data Sets we used in our work, as well as resources that might be helpful in your study or research on this natural wonder.
2022 Fence Restoration Work | #3 Projects
Today, around 53 acres of the Pando is fenced in to protect it from animals. Known as an “exclosure” fence, this barrier acts to exclude wild deer and elk from entering the tree as they can destroy countless new shoots of Pando before they can mature.
Living at nearly 9,000 feet elevation in the Fishlake Basin, Pando’s land mass is straddled by two mountains that loom over the steep sides of the flat bottomed basin create a sort of natural wind tunnel where 60 Mph winds are normal, and fiercer wind gust can howl. Although Pando’s branches are uniquely adapted to survive such winds as they readily bend, they can and do break. When they do, they crash down destroying everything in their path, including sections of the 10,000 ft. long protective fence.
In 2022, The Pando Ambassador, Friends of Pando leadership, our contracted agents and agency partners worked to restore 3 sections of the protective fence. Work we will continuing doing in 2023 and beyond to ensure Pando is protected for generations to come.
2022 Minor Fence Repairs | #10 Actions
Today, around 53 acres of the Pando is fenced in to protect it from animals. Known as an “exclosure” fence, this barrier acts to exclude wild deer and elk from entering the tree as they can destroy countless new shoots of Pando before they can mature.
Today, the fence that protects Pando reaches 8 feet in height and traces about 10,000 feet of the outer boundary. Despite headlines that suggest fencing doesn’t work, the Pando we see today, is in fact, the result of protective fencing the Forest Service starting installing in early 1990’s. As any gardener knows, fences only do their job if they are maintained, and in 2022 the Pando Ambassador did just that, making minor repairs on 10 sections of fence.
In 2023, Friends of Pando will continue work making basic repairs on the fence and share that data. We also are planning work to gather resources and funding to install the the next set of permanent fencing, as well as movable adaptive fencing to help ensure Pando can be enjoyed by generations to come.
2022 Fence Fortification | #128 Actions
Today, around 53 acres of the Pando is fenced in to protect it from animals. Known as an “exclosure” fence, this barrier acts to exclude wild deer and elk from entering the tree as they can destroy countless new shoots of Pando before they can mature. Gaps form beneath the edge of the fence due to natural forces such as erosion, or, are made by animals who will dig under fence to gain entry or, to exit.
Gaps beneath the fence larger than approximately 8 inches were filled in with rock and other heavy debris to close the gaps to prevent younger deer and elk who try to use those those edges to gain entry.
In 2022, The Pando Ambassador filled in 128 gaps during peak season helping improve the fence’s protective power. Year over year, we will continue to back-fill gaps, record locations and will compare data sets to examine if patterns are revealed where patterns might be revealed to improve the fence.
2022 Observed Predator Activity | #6 Observations
Pando’s high mountain home in the Fishlake Basin along the along the 6 square mile Fish Lake, has been called an “an oasis in the sky”. Featuring one of the largest mountain freshwater lakes in Utah, the land provides ample freshwater, forage and places to move about and hide making it an attractive location for predators and prey alike.
Part of the 2,200 square mile Fishlake National Forest, the area shares boundaries with National Park Lands, other National Forests and BLM lands creating a 700 square mile corridor where animals can roam virtually unabated. It should come as no surprise then, Pando’s home land plays host to local and seasonal herds of Deer, Elk and Pronghorn Antelope, and those that hunt them including Black Bear and Mountain Lions as well as smaller predators.
In 2022, the Pando Ambassador, Pando Corps Field Crew members and partners Snow College recorded Bear activity in and around Pando. In addition to Bear, crews working in upper portion of the tree (pictured top center) found signs of Big Cat activity including claw marks and spray patterns. Finally, in an exciting development, crews observed Fisher Cat in two locations, a revelation as they had not been recorded in recent memory.
In 2023, Friends of Pando plans to install trail cams and passive audio monitoring stations to document animal and bird behavior. Not only to better understand the land, but to understand how Pando is “home” to others.
2022 Recreational Hiking in Pando | #1,794 Visitors
Data collected by Fishlake National Forest Staff found around 300,000 people visit Pando’s homeland, the Fishlake Basin each year. The cool high mountain landscape features the largest fresh water mountain lake in Utah and is known to be an “oasis in the sky” to many locals. Data from recent archeological research in the area indicates Pando’s home land has been used by humans going back at least 1,500 years when indigenous peoples used the Fishlake Basin as a regular Summer Retreat as evidenced by their use of fire to cultivate Amaranth, which takes about 3 months to grow.
Today, all who travel Hwy 25 (built before Pando’s discovery) will drive through Pando on their way to Fishlake, or, outbound to any one of Utah’s “Big 5” National Parks. Despite human use of the land going back thousands of years, previous to 2022, no one knew how many people were actually visiting the Pando itself. Data we know to be vital to helping people understand and protect special trees elsewhere.
In 2022, Friends of Pando installed and monitored 4 passive visitor counters at entry gates into the tree during peak hiking season (June to October) and recorded 1,794 visitors. In 2023, we plan to continue gathering this data to identify trends and help those communing with the tree, understand and care for the tree.
Friends of Pando Raw Data Sets
Operating under principles of Open Science, as a citizen-scientist organization, Friends of Pando makes data serts we base our work off of, and, raw data sets we gather and interpret available to scientist and the public to review and build off of.
Below, find documents to use to develop your own research about this unique botanical wonder as well as data sets you evaluate to understand information and studies we have provided information about here.
Pando Area Shapefile
Pando and Fishlake Soil Map
Download 2022 Hiking Data (.xls)
Download 2022 Monitoring and Repair Data
Friends of Pando is a volunteer-led, community driven non-profit (501c3) based in Richfield, Utah. Friends of Pando is dedicated and working to educate the public, support research and preservation efforts and inspiring stewardship of Pando, the world’s largest tree.
To learn more about our mission, vision, values and leadership visit the about us page.
Friends of Pando
PO Box 12
Richfield, UT, 84701
Phone: 435-633-1893
© 2021 | Design : Hope Smith & Lance Oditt