Mountain West Research Articles

Extreme winds and fire weather in coastal Santa Barbara County,CA: An observational analysis

AbstractCoastal Santa Barbara (SB) County in Southern California, characterized by a Mediterranean climate and complex topography, is a region prone to downslope windstorms that create critical fire weather conditions and rapidly spread wildfires. The Santa Ynez Mountains, oriented from east to west, rise abruptly from the coast, separating air masses from the ocean and the Santa Ynez Valley. The juxtaposition of these geographic features generates spatiotemporally variable wind regimes. This study analyzes diurnal‐to‐seasonal wind cycles and extremes in this region using hourly data from eight weather stations and four buoys for the period 1998–2019. Data from a vertical wind profiler at the Santa Barbara airport in Goleta, CA was extracted from August 2016 to September 2020. Air temperature, dew point temperature, and the Fosberg fire weather index are examined at land stations. We show that cycles in wind speed vary spatiotemporally; mountain (valley and coastal) stations exhibit a pronounced semiannual (annual) cycle, and wind maxima is observed during the evening (afternoon) at mountain (valley and coastal) stations. Differences in wind speed percentiles were evident among stations, particularly at and above the 75th percentile. Strong winds recorded at buoys were significantly correlated (betweenr = 0.3–0.5) to land stations. However, cross‐correlational analysis did not reveal any temporal lags between mountain stations and buoys. Distributions of temperature and dew point during extreme winds differed between east and west mountain stations. Significant fire weather conditions were most frequent at mountain stations in Refugio and Montecito, with 5% occurrence in the spring and over 3% occurrence in fall. Weaker summertime winds lowered fire weather conditions at Montecito in the summer.

Implementation of a positive psychology curriculum in a high school setting: A mixed methods pilot study

This study used a mixed-method design to examine the qualitative feasibility of a comprehensive positive psychology curriculum taught by an educator in a naturalistic high school classroom. Limited efficacy testing was also performed. Using a naturalistic quasi-experimental design, this study examined the qualitative impact and feasibility of a high school positive psychology course compared to a standard psychology course. Qualitative variables examined included student attrition, demand, implementation, and practicality as well as student feedback. Quantitative self-report measures of well-being were also included. Participants were 113 adolescents enrolled at a high school in the Mountain West United States. The course was found to have high demand and low rates of attrition. The educator noted that preparing the course was feasible and did not require external funding. Feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive with many of them noting the positive effect that it had on their well-being and ability to cope with challenges. Quantitative results were mixed. These results largely support previous research that has associated positive outcomes with the employment of positive psychology interventions in a classroom setting. Future research should focus on the quantitative effects of school-based positive psychology interventions in a larger scale, high-powered sample.

Mental health risks differentially associated with immunocompromised status among healthcare workers and family members at the pandemic outset

The mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) is critical to their long-term well-being and future disaster preparedness. Goal 1 of this study was to identify rates of mental health problems experienced by HCWs. Goal 2 was to test a model of risk stemming from pandemic-related stressors and vulnerability factors.This cross-sectional study included HCWs (N ​= ​2,246 [1,573 clinical providers; 673 non-clinical staff]) in the Rocky Mountain West who voluntarily completed an online survey in April/May 2020. Respondents completed measures for traumatic stress symptoms, depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and sleep. Logistic regressions stratified by professional role (clinical versus non-clinical) were specified to predict clinical screening cutoff (positive/negative) as a function of five pandemic-related stressors (immunocompromised self; immunocompromised household member; care provision to infected patients; clinical management role; positive cases).Results showed that more than half of HCWs surveyed (52.5%) screened positive (above cutoff) for traumatic stress, depression, or anxiety, with ~20% reporting problematic alcohol use, and variable insufficient sleep from ~10% off shift to ~50% on shift. Clinical employees with an immunocompromised household member had increased odds of screening positive for a mental health problem. Non-clinical HCWs who were immunocompromised were at elevated risk for screening positive a mental health problem. Being female, minority status, and younger increased odds for mental health problems.Implications include alleviating a portion of the mental health burden of HCWs involved in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic by considering policies to protect immunocompromised HCWs and their families (e.g., vaccine priorities, telework options).

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Specialty Clinics in the USA

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a complex disease that is optimally managed with specialized care. Data on HS specialty clinics (HSSCs) are lacking. Methods: HSSCs in the USA were identified on the HS Foundation website and analyzed for geographic location and clinic director demographics. Results: We identified 29 HSSCs in 16 states, an increase from 22 in 2019. Thirty-four states currently lack a HSSC; the Mountain West and East South Central regions of the USA are particularly affected. Among HSSC directors, the majority (93.3%) are dermatologists, with slightly more women (53.3%) than men (46.7%). Most (86.7%) have an academic affiliation, and the majority (60%) graduated from residency <10 years ago. All directors are involved in research, and over half of HSSCs serve as HS clinical trial sites. Conclusions: The number of HSSCs in the USA has been growing, yet there remains a dearth in certain regions. Given that HS is a disease with high unmet need and a rapidly evolving therapeutic landscape, we encourage the establishment of more HSSCs to improve access to specialized care.

Transitioning a Marquee Orientation and Transition Program for Increased New Student Engagement and Retention Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

One mid-sized public flagship institution in the Mountain West was forced to abandon a brand-new marquee orientation and transition program, which had contributed to the first increase in first-time student retention numbers in a decade. As educators around the world were faced with similar challenges, three main concerns arose for this school: cancellation of all in-person instruction and events indefinitely in March 2020, a long-term downward trend in enrollment and retention, and a lack of adequate space to host in-person orientation activities. This paper seeks to discuss the ways in which these obstacles were overcome, and share the important lessons learned for consideration as colleges and universities continue to grapple with the uncertainty of onboarding our next cohort of students in fall 2021.

The spatial extent of hydrological and landscape changes across the mountains and prairies of Canada in the Mackenzie and Nelson River basins based on data from a warm-season time window

Abstract. East of the Continental Divide in the cold interior of Western Canada, the Mackenzie and Nelson River basins have some of the world's most extreme and variable climates, and the warming climate is changing the landscape, vegetation, cryosphere, and hydrology. Available data consist of streamflow records from a large number (395) of natural (unmanaged) gauged basins, where flow may be perennial or temporary, collected either year-round or during only the warm season, for a different series of years between 1910 and 2012. An annual warm-season time window where observations were available across all stations was used to classify (1) streamflow regime and (2) seasonal trend patterns. Streamflow trends were compared to changes in satellite Normalized Difference Indices. Clustering using dynamic time warping, which overcomes differences in streamflow timing due to latitude or elevation, identified 12 regime types. Streamflow regime types exhibit a strong connection to location; there is a strong distinction between mountains and plains and associated with ecozones. Clustering of seasonal trends resulted in six trend patterns that also follow a distinct spatial organization. The trend patterns include one with decreasing streamflow, four with different patterns of increasing streamflow, and one without structure. The spatial patterns of trends in mean, minimum, and maximum of Normalized Difference Indices of water and snow (NDWI and NDSI) were similar to each other but different from Normalized Difference Index of vegetation (NDVI) trends. Regime types, trend patterns, and satellite indices trends each showed spatially coherent patterns separating the Canadian Rockies and other mountain ranges in the west from the poorly defined drainage basins in the east and north. Three specific areas of change were identified: (i) in the mountains and cold taiga-covered subarctic, streamflow and greenness were increasing while wetness and snowcover were decreasing, (ii) in the forested Boreal Plains, particularly in the mountainous west, streamflows and greenness were decreasing but wetness and snowcover were not changing, and (iii) in the semi-arid to sub-humid agricultural Prairies, three patterns of increasing streamflow and an increase in the wetness index were observed. The largest changes in streamflow occurred in the eastern Canadian Prairies.

Psychotropic medications in oncology.

Psychological distress is common in patients with cancer, and oncology providers are often tasked with utilizing psychotropic medications to treat such symptoms. This study aims to characterize how oncology providers prescribe psychotropic medications and to assess their comfort level with prescribing these medications. A cross-sectional survey was sent to oncology medical doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who prescribe psychotropic medications to patients with cancer at a large academic medical center in the Mountain West. The survey included questions regarding provider subspecialty, degree, comfort with prescribing psychotropic medications, and factors that informed their prescribing. Oncology providers (n = 65) reported equal proportions of comfort and discomfort with prescribing psychotropic medications. The medication class with the most prescribers was benzodiazepines, with 89.2% (n = 58) of the respondents prescribing those medications. The least prescribed category was mood stabilizers, with 4.6% (n = 3) prescribing this category. Prescribers identified that barriers to their comfort included difficulty connecting patients to follow-up care with mental health professionals and inadequate mental health education for providers. Providers responded that continuing mental health education and increasing patient access to mental health resources would increase their prescribing comfort. Providers reported equal parts comfort and discomfort with prescribing psychotropic medications; avenues to increase comfort should involve focused mental health education during formal training and continued education throughout their oncology careers. A clinical pathway for prescribing psychotropic medications with resources to connect patients to long-term mental health care may also increase prescribing comfort.

Native American Caregivers' Developmental Priorities for Young Children

Native American tribes and families are highly pluralistic in their ideologies, beliefs, traditions, and values. Very little research has described the parenting and child-rearing beliefs of Native American caregivers. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of Native American caregivers' developmental priorities and preferences regarding their young children's development. Participants included 21 Native American caregivers from a reservation in the Mountain West region of the United States. Ethnographic interviewing techniques described by C. E. Westby (1990) were used to collect caregiver perspectives. Through the use of a naturalistic inquiry paradigm, the process of template analysis was used to organize concepts and identify central themes and subthemes regarding caregivers' priorities and preferences for their children's development. The following 4 themes were identified: (a) supporting Native culture and language preservation, (b) teaching preacademic skills, (c) acquiring social and emotional competence, and (d) teaching self-care and independence. Clinical implications based on these themes and subthemes are discussed in the context of intervention with young Native American children and their families.

A Quantitative Comparison of Heavy Metal Concentrations in the Soils on Two Rocky Mountain West tribal Reservations

Native Americans have experienced a long history of environmental injustice, including natural resource exploitation and commercial activity with environmental impacts. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was used to partner with two Rocky Mountain West reservations to conduct pilot-level assessments of potential soil contamination by heavy metals. The Community Advisory Board in conjunction with the research team selected residential areas and community sites for sampling. Samples were obtained, transported to a laboratory for dehydration and sieving, and were analyzed with a handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) tool for the presence of 24 heavy metals. Heavy metals concentrations were compared between reservations and were found to be statistically different from one another. Findings were also compared to levels recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and World Health Organization (WHO) to determine possible hazards to human health. Concentration of Sr, Rb, and Th were well above acceptable EPA levels and require further analysis. High localized Pb levels were found in one area, while Hg levels were found close to EPA standards. CBPR was essential to understanding preliminary contamination patterns. In conclusion, even reservations with similar geographies and histories present with unique contaminations and require individualized study to determine possible environmental mitigation.

Abstract S06-04: Telehealth experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Purpose: To describe adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients’ and survivors’ experiences with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Eligible participants were identified through the Huntsman Intermountain Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Care Program, which provides age-specific programming and patient navigation to AYA cancer patients and survivors in Utah and surrounding Mountain West states. Participants were emailed an online survey if they were currently age 18 or older and had been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15-39 years. We applied descriptive statistics to summarize demographics, comfortability with technology, access to reliable internet connection, and perceived quality of care while using telehealth. Results: AYAs (N=280) were an average of 29.4 years old at survey (range 18-58); 65.2% were female and 82.4% non-Hispanic white. Over half (54.2%) had received cancer treatment since March 2020. All participants reported owning a computer, tablet, and/or smart phone they could use for telehealth appointments. The majority (93.5%) reported almost always or always having a reliable internet connection. AYAs felt most comfortable having a telehealth appointment in their own home (96.4%); only 12.5% felt comfortable using telehealth at work. Since March 2020, (N=183) 65.4% had a health care visit moved to a telehealth platform due to COVID-19. Of those who recently moved to telehealth, 60.1% had an oncology visit, 33.9% had a primary care visit, and 31.1% had a mental health visit. Additionally over one-third (35.2%) reported the quality of their medical care had decreased since moving to telehealth. This was most commonly due to 1) troubles with audio, video, or connecting through telehealth platforms; 2) telehealth visits feeling impersonal; and 3) feeling that providers more easily dismissed or did not fully address their symptoms. Conclusions: Although AYAs are digital natives, over one-third of AYAs feel the quality of their medical care has decreased since moving to telehealth for COVID-19. Further research should explore medical provider training in using telehealth systems and encourage telehealth practices that help AYAs feel more supported and understood. Citation Format: Karely Mann, Austin R. Waters, Perla L. Vaca Lopez, Echo L. Warner, Judy Ou, Heydon Kaddas, Joemy Ramsay, Nicole Ray, Tomoko Tsukamoto, Douglas B. Fair, Joseph M. Letourneau, Mark A. Lewis, David Gill, Lauri Linder, Anne C. Kirchhoff. Telehealth experiences of adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: COVID-19 and Cancer; 2021 Feb 3-5. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2021;27(6_Suppl):Abstract nr S06-04.

Quantifying the Outfield Shift Using K-Means Clustering

Sports teams constantly search for a competitive advantage (e.g. bidding for free agents or scouting nontraditional markets). As popularized by Moneyball, we focus on advanced analytics in baseball. These sabermetrics are employed to provide objective information to management and coaches to support player management and in-game strategy decisions. Though widely used at the professional level, analytics use in college baseball is limited. Air Force Academy Baseball has been one win short of qualifying for the Mountain West tournament three straight years, resulting in the loss of potential income from media payouts and exposure for future recruiting efforts. Using a K-means clustering method for defensive shifting, we calculate an overall catch probability increase of 7.4% with a shifted outfield in a one-game case study. Based on our analysis, we provide evidence that Air Force Baseball can benefit from an outfield defensive shifting scheme that drives a competitive advantage and additional wins.

Indoor Air Quality Issues for Rocky Mountain West Tribes.

Native American populations face considerable health disparities, especially among those who live on reservations, where access to healthcare, education, and safe housing can be limited. Previous research on tribal housing has raised concerns about housing construction, damage, and possible linkage to adverse health effects (e.g., asthma). This community-based participatory research (CBPR) project investigated indoor air quality issues on two Rocky Mountain west reservations. At the onset of the project, the research team formed a partnership with community advisory boards (CABs) consisting of representatives from tribal councils and community members. Research design, implementation, and dissemination all took place in full collaboration with the CABs following approval through official tribal resolutions. Residential homes were monitored for particulate matter with diameter <2.5 microns (PM2.5) and radon concentrations. Low-cost air quality sensors and activated charcoal radon test kits were placed in tribal households for 6-8 days. A large amount of data were below the sensor limit of quantification (LOQ), but several homes had daily averages that exceeded suggested PM2.5 guidelines, suggestive of the potential for high exposure. Additionally, nearly half of all homes sampled had radon levels above the EPA action level, with mitigation activities initiated for the most concerning homes. Findings from this study indicate the need for future community-wide assessments to determine the magnitude and patterns of indoor air quality issues.

16306 Genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 across New Mexico and the Mountain West

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Genomic data can be used by policy and decision makers to guide, and assess the impact of, public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Our objective is to investigate the transmission and population dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in New Mexico and other Mountain West states using whole genome sequencing. Understanding how the virus is spreading within and between communities is vital for the design of rational, evidence-based control measures. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We obtained an aliquot of 500ul - 1 ml of inactivated viral transport media (VTM) from positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swabs as determined by qPCR from the New Mexico Department of Health, TriCore Reference Laboratory, Idaho Bureau of Laboratories, and Wyoming Public Health Laboratory. We extracted viral RNA from the VTM, and sequenced the genomes using the methodology as described by the widely adopted ARTIC amplicon tiling protocol for SARS-CoV-2. Viral genomes were then sequenced on either an Illumina MiSeq or an Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) GridION. We placed these samples within the context of globally representative sequences made available via the GISAID database. Consensus sequences were aligned and added into this global dataset using the Nextstrain augur pipeline. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We sequenced over 1,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes thus far from New Mexico (n=861), Wyoming (n=213) and Idaho (n=44). We used this sequence data to infer the transmission dynamics and spread of the virus, both within states and in context of regional and international spread. We inferred at least 128 separate introductions of the virus into New Mexico and at least 29 introductions into Wyoming. The origins of these introductions are diverse, spread across multiple regions in the US and abroad. We also sequenced samples from an individual who had multiple positive tests over time. Our results suggest that this individual was re-infected with a different strain than that of the initial infection. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Our data show that New Mexico and other Mountain West states have continually experienced many introductions of the virus that then seed local outbreaks. By understanding the number of introductions over time, we can assess the impact of travel restrictions on transmission. Our data also supports that some individuals can be re-infected.

A Framework for Collaborative Wolverine Connectivity Conservation

In the Rocky Mountain West, maintaining connectivity between high-elevation public lands is important for wolverines and other species of conservation concern and depends on building collaborative partnerships with key landowners. However, prioritizing conservation areas that benefit wolverine connectivity and identifying key partners presents several challenges: 1) the wolverine metapopulation functions over a large spatial extent and 2) anthropogenic changes such as housing development and climate change may shift connective pathways for wolverines in the future. We prioritized areas important for wolverine connectivity under future climate conditions across western Montana using a systematic conservation planning framework. We solved our planning problem by optimizing 10, 15, 20, and 50% of habitat features that mitigated human threats and maintained ecological processes for wolverines using integer linear programming. We identified 369 privately owned areas in the 10% solution, 572 privately owned areas in the 15% solution, 822 privately owned areas in the 20% solution, and 3,996 privately owned areas in the 50% solution where voluntary landowner easements would greatly improve the long-term landscape functionality for wolverine connectivity. The median estimated easement value ranged from $8,762 to $12,220 across the four solutions, and the total costs ranged from $14,874,371 to $196,346,714 if all landowners agreed to voluntary conservation easements. This effort demonstrates the utility of optimization problems for conserving connectivity and provides a mutually beneficial and proactive tool to engage potential collaborators in wolverine connectivity conservation.

Cover Caption

Bumblebees are important pollinators for both crops and wild plants that require the special buzz pollination. Vast majority of the world's bumble bee species are concentrated in China, specifically in the west mountain regions. Like social honey bees, bumble bees possess a simple gut microbiota dominated by few host‐restricted bacterial species, and they are crucial for the metabolism, immune function, and many other aspects of the pollinator's health. By analyzing the gut community of bumble bees from different regions across China, it finds that they show two distinct gut enterotypes. Strains of the core gut member, Gilliamella, from different countries vary in gene repertoires related to sugar metabolism and antibiotic resistance (see pages 302‐314). Photo by Dr. Xin Zhou.

Measuring heterogeneous preferences for residential amenities

This study reports on estimates of heterogeneous preferences for residential amenities among households in the Mountain West region of the US. The estimates are derived from a choice experiment funded by the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority—an experiment based upon large samples of both homeowners and renters who participated in a larger, statewide transportation study. The choice experiment and transportation study allow us to control for a rich set of household-level demographic and lifestyle characteristics, which in turn permits identification of a host of factors contributing to heterogeneity in residential preferences. We leverage a percentage-change housing cost attribute included in the experiment to obtain measures of marginal willingness to pay (MWTP) for the various residential attributes and attribute levels in our study. Our method of converting the percentage-change cost attribute to dollar-denominated MWTP results in theoretically plausible estimates of a household's MWTP. We find that preferences for residential amenities differ across homeowners and renters with respect to intensity rather than direction—homeowners are generally willing to pay more for these amenities, in some cases up to seven times more. Our quantitative estimates of these preferences and the extent to which we control for heterogeneity across households provide urban and regional planners with precise monetary welfare measures for a sizable majority of the region's residents.

Association between health-related fitness, perceived stress, and metabolic syndrome prevalence in a sample of law enforcement officers

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the association between components of metabolic syndrome with health-related fitness (HRF) and perceived stress in a sample of law enforcement officers.Design/methodology/approachLaw enforcement officers (N = 28) from the Mountain West region of the US reported their HRF scores (1.5 mile run, push-up, and sit-ups), had their blood drawn (glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) and had their waist circumference and blood pressure measured in a fasted state. Officers also completed a short questionnaire to assess health-enhancing physical activity (SQUASH) and both the Organizational and Operational Police Stress Questionnaires (PSQ-Org, PSQ-Op).FindingsLinear regression models revealed a positive linear relationship between glucose levels and 1.5 mile run times (beta = 0.560, p = 0.021, R2 = 0.24). A bivariate positive linear relationship between waist circumference and 1.5 mile run times was found to be significant (R2 = 0.17, p = 0.041). For every minute increase in 1.5-mile run times, PSQ-Org scores significantly increased by 0.543 standard deviations (p = 0.022) with 25% of the variance explained (R2 = 0.25). There were no statistically significant parameter estimates from the logistic regression equations when dependent variables were treated on the categorical measurement scale using recommended cut-points.Research limitations/implicationsIn conclusion, those who performed better on the 1.5 mile run were more likely to have lower fasting glucose levels, experience less stress and have a smaller waist circumference.Practical implicationsTherefore, according to these findings, it is imperative for those in law enforcement to improve their cardiorespiratory endurance to minimize stress and reduce their risk of metabolic syndrome.Originality/valueThis research is novel according to a recent PubMed search using the keywords “law enforcement,” “Metabolic Syndrome” and “fitness testing.”

Analysis on the Influence of Topography on a Short-Time Local Heavy Rainfall Forecast in Western Xinjiang

Based on the prediction results of RmAPs-CAV1.0, a short time heavy rainfall in western Xinjiang was simulated and analyzed. By comparing the forecast results with the actual precipitation, it is found that RMAPS-CAV1.0 can accurately reflect the important forecast parameters of the short-time heavy precipitation system, such as precipitation level and starting time. Contrast observation and prediction results found that the terrain has forced effect to the surface wind field, the precipitation process in Yili valley special opening of the west mountain terrain, the center is located in Kazakhstan in central Asia low vortex cause lower for the westerly Yili river valley, the center is located in the Tarim Basin of central Asia for Piandongfeng middle low vortex makes the Yili river valley, cause the Yili river valley and the lower levels of vertical wind shear reinforcement; In the Yili River Valley, the combination of topography and the central Asian vortex circulation in Kazakhstan forms a low-altitude convergence line. The low-level westerly winds transport water vapor into the valley, and the northerly airflow in the valley and the northern margin of the Taklamakan Desert converge near the windward slope, and the enhanced upward movement results in the uplift of the water vapor accumulated in the valley. The result analysis of RMAPS-CAV1.0 shows that the warm and cold airflow and water vapor under the action of topography have important contributions to the generation of this precipitation.

Communicative predictors of social network resilience skills during the transition to college

Persisting in college requires resilience for emerging adults, who must adapt to a new culture with different norms. Many also struggle with financial pressure, mental health issues, and interpersonal stressors. This longitudinal study proposes and tests a model of the communication factors that predict social network resilience skills during the transition to college. A sample of 436 first-year college students in the Mountain West region of the United States reported their family communication patterns, perceived friend and family support, communication confidence, and social network resilience skills (SNRS) at two points in time. Model testing revealed that friend support, family support, and communication confidence mediate the positive effect of conversation orientation on SNRS. Friend support mediates the positive effect of conformity orientation on SNRS. Theoretical implications for the Communication Theory of Resilience and Family Communication Patterns Theory are discussed.

Exurbia East and West: Responses of Bird Communities to Low Density Residential Development in Two North American Regions

Exurban development is a prevalent cause of habitat loss and alteration throughout the globe and is a common land-use pattern in areas of high natural amenity value. We investigated the response of bird communities to exurban development in two contrasting North American regions, the Adirondack Park (New York) in the eastern US, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Montana) in the Rocky Mountain West. We combined social and ecological data collection methods to compare the effects of exurban development on avian communities between the two landscapes, and, in exurban residential areas within them, to compare the relative roles of habitat structure, resource provisioning, and human disturbance in influencing avian habitat use. Contrasting with an earlier pilot study, we found differential effects of exurban development in the two regions, with birds generally more responsive in the Adirondack Park. Characteristics of habitat context and structure had larger influences on bird habitat use than human-associated resource provisioning or disturbance in both landscapes. The smaller magnitude and high variability in the responses of birds to landowner stewardship and/or disturbance suggest that broader geographical factors are highly important and that careful siting of developments on the landscape may be more successful at protecting wildlife communities than attempts to influence the behaviors of their inhabitants once built.