Pando is the name of the many-trunked tree system that inspired all this.
Pando is, in fact, the scientific name of the largest organism on Earth, the one-tree aspen forest in Utah made up of over 47,000 trunks, and millions of leaves, connected through one root system.
It’s the perfect metaphor—and a darned good name.
Above ground, Pando appears to be a grove of individual trees, like any other grove. It was overlooked, for years. But underground everything is 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 symbol of our common and threatened life together, and our ability to endure.
Former First Lady of California Maria Shriver puts it this way: “Pando means I belong to you, you belong to me, we belong to each other.” Read more on our Pando means we are interconnected campaign page.
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
Nature, November 2024 | “The world’s oldest tree? Genetic analysis traces evolution of iconic Pando forest”
Bloomberg, April 2023 | “This is how fast humans have changed the ecosystem”
St George News, August 2021 | “‘Friends of Pando’ capture the world’s largest organism in first-of-its-kind photo survey to Pangea“
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”
