About Walter F. (Walt) Mueggler
Walt Mueggler epitomizes Forest Service Research. He retired in 1987 from the Forest Service after a long and very productive career that focused on the ecology of mountain grasslands and aspen ecosystems. In addition, as Emeritus Scientist with the Rocky Mountain (formerly Intermountain) Research Station he volunteered on a regular basis for approximately 20 years. His name and research will continue in perpetuity in understanding and managing forest and rangelands in the western U.S.
He has a very impressive Ecological pedigree being linked back to John T. Curtis, U. of Wisconsin-Madison, who was a major contributor to the science of Ecology. He earned his B.S. in Forestry from the U. of Idaho in 1949; his M.S. in Ecology from U. of Wisconsin-Madison under Grant Cottam who was a student of Curtis in 1953; and in 1961 his PhD. in Plant Ecology from Duke University under Henry J. Oosting, another renowned North American ecologist.
Because his F.S. career saw him conducting research in the Intermountain West and Northern Rocky Mountains, primarily on aspen ecosystems and mountain grasslands, it was most appropriate to designate the Walter F. Mueggler Butler Fork Research Natural Area in his name. This watershed contains near pristine examples of aspen vegetation types as well as several others. His name and aspen ecology are synonymous. Walt is a renowned Scientist and his dedication and excellence in research contributed to the management of western ecosystems.
Dr. Mueggler spent his early career in Montana developing the Grassland and Shrubland Habitat Types of Western Montana. Later in his career, after moving to Logan, Utah, Walt began his work with aspen ecosystems in the Intermountain West. It was during this time that he developed the publication Aspen Community Types of the Intermountain Region. This publication became the source of information regarding the ecology and management of aspen ecosystems throughout the West. Walt worked closely with Dr. Robert Campbell, recently retired forest ecologist with the Fishlake National Forest in central Utah, on other classifications of aspen ecosystems, which lead up the the development of the one developed for the entire region. Walt also worked closely with Dr. Dale Bartos (see below) and through their combined efforts, land managers today have a much better understanding o the importance and ecology of aspen ecosystems in our western landscapes. Some of Walt's publications can be found on the Utah State University Digital Commons Web Page.
About Dale Bartos
Dale Bartos is an aspen research ecologist recently retired from the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station. It is through his efforts working with the local forest that the Mueggler-Butler Fork RNA became a reality. Dr. Bartos devoted much of his career researching the ecology of aspen ecosystems in the western United States. His interests have been focused on the restoration of these ecosystems, which have been declining in western landscapes for years as a result of animal (wildlife and livestock) impacts, as well as a variety of other factors, such as fire suppression and climate change, on aspen regeneration. He has worked closely with land managers to transfer that knowledge into actions on the ground. More recently, he has been trying to understand the causes of Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD) that is currently occurring in the West. Dale Bartos is the research scientist who initially identified the need for an aspen-dominated Research Natural Area. Dale is currently a Research Ecologist with the Forest and Woodland Ecosystems Science Program with the Rocky Mountain Research Station. Some of his research publications and products can be found through his profile on this site (Featured Publications & Products).
http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/do/search/?q=author_lname%3A%22Campbell%22%20author_fname%3A%22R.B.%22&start=0&context=656526
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