Pando is the name of the many-trunked tree system that inspired all this.
The largest organism on Earth, and one of the very oldest, is a quaking aspen that extends over 100 acres from a single root. It has a name, Pando.
Above ground, Pando appears to be a grove of individual trees, like any other grove. It was overlooked, for years. But underground the trees are connected by a single and vast root system. It is one tree. A one-tree-forest.
Pando is now under threat — from cattle grazing, an exploding deer and elk population (due to the elimination of predators), misplaced development, and the impending prospect of radical climate change.
Pando is a fitting image of our common and threatened life together, and our ability to endure.
We are working with a network of collaborative efforts to support Pando the tree, ranging from project-based learning initiatives to local research, conservation, and communications partnerships, including with the Western Aspen Alliance.
Why Pando Matters
Videos
UTopia TV, April 2019 | Pando featured on season 4 premiere episode of UTopia TV
PBS News Hour, February 2019 | “Earth’s most massive living thing is struggling to survive”
Articles
Earth Island Journal, January 2021 | “Pando to Pangea“
Mongabay, June 2020 | “Conservation insights from an enormous aspen clone: Q&A with ecologist Paul Rogers”
New York Times, October 2018 | “Pando, the Most Massive Organism on Earth, Is Shrinking”
US News & World Report, June 2018 | “Earth’s Most Massive Living Organism Is Dying”
Live Science, December 2017 | “The World’s Largest Organism Is Dying”
Earther, November 2017 | “Earth’s Heaviest Organism Could Be Eaten to Death…By Deer”
Salt Lake Tribune, November 2017 | “Utah’s Pando aspen grove is the most massive living thing known on Earth. It may die soon”
Natural History, March 2016 | “Saving Pando: Humans are taking measured steps to rejuvenate an ailing giant”
Tremblings Newsletter, May 2015 | “Partnering to preserve and restore healthy aspen ecosystems“
Salt Lake City Weekly, November 2013 | “Devastated: The World’s Largest Known Organism Is In Utah – And It’s Dying”
