By Isaac Navias
Pando, one of the largest living organisms on planet Earth, lives right here in the United States, living peacefully in central Utah. My partner and I first learned about it while staying in Brian Head, a lovely ski town on the southwest corner of Utah. I remember finding it on my map and saying to her, ”Kim, did you know we are several hours away from one of the largest living organisms on the planet?” It blew both our minds! The very next day, we ventured out, seeking this epic and ancient forest.
Fun Facts About Pando
So what is Pando? Pando isn’t just a massive colony of quaking aspen trees — it’s an entire forest cloned from one tree, sharing a massive root system that is estimated to weigh 13.2 million pounds! Pando covers around 106 acres and is estimated to be between 10,000 to 80,000 years old. As a comparison, we’ve walked through the ancient Redwoods at Sequoia National Park in California and twisted pine forests in Utah and those were a mere 3,000 years old! Interestingly, because aspen trees clone themselves, all of the trees of the same clone will change colors at the exact same time in the fall. The pure vibrancy of the shades were astounding and filled both Kim and I with a sense of wonder. It is a wildly unique and majestic experience.
Takeaways From Our Visit
As we drove though Pando, we learned that the forest is dealing with some real challenges that threaten its very existence. One of the biggest threats has been over-grazing by mule deer and elk. In 1992, an eight-foot fence was installed around part of Pando to keep deer and elk out. This protection allowed new aspen growth to regenerate successfully within the enclosed area. Then from 2014 to 2021, additional sections were fenced to allow for additional regrowth.
We also learned about the organization called Friends of Pando that is dedicated to the preservation of and education about the Pando Forest. Kim and I are so grateful for these organizations that have helped preserve the incredible life and ecosystems inside Pando so they can continue to be enjoyed and respected for generations. To learn more about what you can do to help Pando, including a letter writing tool to contact your representative, visit www.friendsofpando.org/takeaction/.
