Nez Perce National Historical Park

Sites

The park consists of 38 discontiguous sites spread over four states, linked by Nez Perce history rather than geography. Twenty-six sites are on or near the Nez Perce Indian Reservation in Idaho and can be toured in one day; the other twelve are in adjacent states. Several sites connect via the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, managed by the United States Forest Service, which preserves the 1877 route of Chief Joseph and his band.

Ecology

The park sites span three main ecoregions. The first, in the Palouse grasslands and Missouri Basin, is shortgrass prairie with altitudes of about 1000 to 3500 ft. The second, on the Columbia and Snake river plateaus, is sagebrush steppe at around 3000 ft, including lava fields and flows. The third, in the Blue Mountains, Salmon River Mountains, southwestern Montana, and northern Rocky Mountains, is conifer and alpine meadows with lower temperatures and greater precipitation.

Numerous mammal, amphibian, reptile, bird, and invertebrate species inhabit the sites. Sensitive species include Montana Arctic grayling, mountain plover, swift fox, great grey owl, boreal owl, and several fish; gray wolf and bald eagles are sometimes seen. Ecological concerns include invasive plants, habitat degradation from human activity, protection of endangered species, and effects of climate change.