Introduction
The following information and resources provide writers and content creators with accurate information about the Pando tree and Friends of Pando activities. The page is organized as follows:
Friends of Pando Overview
Friends of Pando is a citizen-science based, volunteer-led 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Richfield, Utah. We are an official Partner to Fishlake National Forest, the public stewards of the Pando Tree and the land it calls home.
Mission: Friends of Pando is dedicated and working to educate the public, support research and preservation work and inspire stewardship of Pando, the world’s largest tree.
Brief History: Friends of Pando began informally. In 2019, founder Lance Oditt organized a series of hour-long community forums inviting artist, educators, scientists, land managers, community leaders and tree lovers to talk about Pando and share ideas about what we might do to help care for it. In 2020, we launched our website and began work to model programs to document, care for and study the Pando Tree. In 2021 we became a nonprofit, in 2022, became a partner to Fishlake National Forest. Today, we oversee 6 programs to achieve our mission and realize our vision Pando is enjoyed for generations to come.
- Founded: 2019
- Headquarters: Richfield, Utah
- Phone: 435-633-1893
- Media Contact: Please use our Contact Us Page
- Website: www.friendsofpando.org
- Active Volunteers: 20+
- Partners: Fishlake National Forest, Snow College, Richfield Visitor Center, The Place Collective
- Organization Type: Volunteer led nonprofit (501c3)
- Guide Star Listing: Review our Guidestar Profile
Working with Us on a Pando Story
As the only organization working and dedicated to Pando’s study and care, we field numerous media request every month. Here are some general guidelines to help you plan your story and coordinate your efforts.
Please consult the following resources before contacting us with general queries.
Natural History | World’s Largest Tree FAQ | How Pando Works FAQ | Science Communication Center
Getting in Touch and Working Together
1. Friends of Pando does not take part in “email” style interviews
2. Friends of Pando prefers working with media professionals operating with established editorial teams. While we have and do work with independent and freelance media professionals, we cannot help you “sell” your story.
3. Friends of Pando prefers working with media professionals with a demonstrated track record of rich story telling.
4. Friends of Pando typically take 3-5 days to respond to media queries during field season (May to October).
5. To reduce spam, all queries must go through our Contact Us Page
Organizing an On-Site Visit
1. In person visits with staff and crew in Pando are limited, weather dependent and require prior approval of our partners.
2. Site visits are only available between June 1st and October 12 of each year, weather permitting.
3. On-site film and TV crews must also notify and receive permissions from our partners, Fishlake National Forest.
4. Please allow up to 30 days for your request to Fishlake to be acknowledged and approved.
5. If a site visit is approved and planned, we strongly suggest you reserve at least full working day for your team. The tree is large and very difficult to traverse while weather and light conditions can rapidly change.
Friends of Pando & Fishlake National Forest Partnership
Friends of Pando is an official Partner with the Fishlake National Forest, public stewards who oversee the Pando Tree and the land it calls home. As the only groups dedicated to Pando and the land it calls home, Friends of Pando and our programs focus on needed education, research and preservation efforts of the Pando Tree. If you have further questions for Fishlake Natioinal Forest, please contact Dan Child, Fishlake National Forest. You can contact us usuing our contact page.
Friends of Pando Releases 2023 Year in Review
2023 was a fantastic year for Friends of Pando with big strides in education, monitoring, research and inspired stewardship and a new stories and friendships branching out to care for this tree without compare. Download our end of year review to see all we accomplished and our vision for the year ahead.
Download our 2022 Year in Review
The Challenges of Communicating About Pando
Friends of Pando believes that those who write about the tree also have a role to play in the future and long term health of the tree. We’ve designed these media resources to empower writers to help the public understand the science and the complexity of the issues involved.
As a relatively recent discovery, one of the primary challenges of writing about Pando, is how little we actually know about the tree. Complicating matters is the fact that until Friends of Pando got underway, there was no group dedicated solely to Pando and the land it calls home. Prior to Friends of Pando, nearly all stories about the tree originated from groups who have no long-term ties to the community where decision-making and the work that needs be done, must happen, in the land Pando calls home.
Today, false, inaccurate and misleading information about Pando discourages interest and dilutes a sense of shared ownership. After all, if the tree were actually 80,000 years old (in effect, immortal, which it is not), or conversely, is doomed to die (it is not) -why should anyone care to support research, stewardship, or care about the human experience of the tree?
To that end, the media resources provided here are designed to help journalists separate fact from fiction. We also hope to help them understand the broad variety of issues, concerns, groups and activities working to ensure Pando can be preserved and enjoyed for generations to come.
Introducing the Pando Tree
What is the Pando Tree?
Pando: Life on the Boundary of Discovery of Imagination is our most popular article and provides a broad overview of Pando’s discovery, how the tree works and the land and people it shares its home with.
Quick FAQs
For those looking for quick answers, our “Quick FAQ’s” answer the most popular questions (and misconceptions) most readers have about the tree, its discovery, how it works and what it takes to take care of the tree.
The Science of Pando Guide
As a recent discovery only verified in 2008 through genetic testing, their is much to learn about Pando. Download our collated collection of key research papers, commentaries and models used to understand and protect Pando today.
Friends of Pando Data Store
Friends of Pando undertakes a variety of data analysis, research and monitoring programs creating local jobs while working to ensure the tree can be enjoyed for generations to come. Review studies and gather freely available data here.
Free Images for Your Articles
The following images may be used with permission and proper citation for scientifically accurate stories and articles related to Friends of Pando and the Pando tree. Please send email to media at friendsofpando dot org for large scale images for print publications.
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Friends of Pando is dedicated and working to educate the public, support research and preservation efforts and inspire stewardship of Pando, the world’s largest tree.
Friends of Pando is a proud partner of Pando’s public land stewards, Fishlake National Forest of the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture. Learn more about our partnership.
Friends of Pando and its partners are equal opportunity employers.
Just $14 a month supports work to ensure Pando can be enjoyed for generations to come. Make a one-time or, recurring tax deductible donation today.
Friends of Pando
PO Box 12
Richfield, UT, 84701
Phone: 435-633-1893
IRS EIN: 87-3958681
