The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming

As pronghorn, elk, and other wildlife roam across the High Divide, century-old, barbed wire fencing is getting in the way of their critical migration paths. 🌾 But, it doesn't have to be this way! In the field, partners have removed 40 miles of fencing in the High Divide since work began in 2021, and we've all been busy this summer adding to that total. 🙌 The Nature Conservancy is grateful to be contributing to this work through the Southwest Montana Sagebrush Partnership, and similarly in Wyoming as partners in the Absaroka Fence Initiative. Learn more about the impact of this partnership work: https://nature.ly/4cUV0oJ

Last chance this year to join a Berry Blitz community science walk! Held in Grand Teton National Park on Tuesdays only through September 24, these fun and fascinating walks teach you how to identify some of the Greater Yellowstone’s most important berries for bird, bears and more. You’ll also help collect important scientific data on how changing weather patterns are affecting the availability of this important food source for wildlife. Get details at https://nature.ly/4cTgdQ0. © Charlotte Cadow/TNC

Do you know what today is? Well, it's very, very important to us... It's National Wildlife Day! 🦊 🐦 🐾 When we work towards our mission to help protect and restore lands and waters, it provides critical habitat for wildlife to safely live off of and migrate across. 🐻 What are some of your favorite wildlife critters in Wyoming? 📷: Peter Mangolds/TNC Photo Contest 2019 (1), Shannon Lee/TNC Photo Contest 2022 (2), Madison Webb/TNC Photo Contest 2019 (3), Julia Cook/TNC Photo Contest 2021 (4)

What's going on in nature and the world of conservation around you? 🌎 Looking to get involved and make a difference for the planet? 🌱 You're in the right place! ✉ Sign up for The Nature Conservancy's Nature Newsletter - you'll receive one email per month with stories and events local to Wyoming, global conservation updates, and more. Sign up here: https://nature.ly/4g5wDYv Photo by Jassen Todorov/TNC Photo Contest 2022

Underestimating the Sagebrush Sea is a common mistake. 🌾 Too many of us overlook it, distracted by the West’s more boldly charismatic landscapes. ⛰ But our indifference is costing us. The Sagebrush Sea, found over 150 million acres across 13 U.S. western states (much of which is in Wyoming!), is under threat from invasive grasses, leading to more frequent wildfires and loss of habitat. But there’s hope! The Nature Conservancy, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Park Service, and Germains Seed Technology are teaming up to test solutions to fight back against invasive annual grasses in this unique landscape. 🌱 Our innovative seed coating technology hopes to give native plants a fighting chance. Learn more about our ongoing, innovative efforts: https://nature.ly/4cKMJUm

Have you seen this berry on your hikes in Wyoming’s forests? It’s a Red Twinberry, a native berry that bears, birds and other animals love to eat. Learn to identify more berries by joining Berry Blitz, our community science walks in Grand Teton National Park. While getting your fill of info on what Wyoming’s wildlife dines on, you’ll also be helping collect important scientific data on how changing weather patterns are altering the availability of berries in the Greater Yellowstone region. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g6swxpV6 And if you’re tempted to sample twinberries yourself, we recommend against it. The fruit is bitter and some sources consider them poisonous. Best to leave them for the critters, friends. Red Twinberry, Lonicera utahensis, © Charlotte Cadow/TNC

Have you noticed fewer berries in nature or in your backyard this year? You’re not imagining it—late frosts combined with hot, dry weather have reduced this year’s crop of some berries that animals like grizzly bears rely on to build fat reserves to survive winter. You can help scientists track these changes by joining a Berry Blitz community science walk in Grand Teton National Park. An offshoot of our popular Wildflower Watch program, Berry Blitz walks invite volunteers to collect data that will help reveal how our shifting climate is affecting important food plants for wildlife. The walks are held each Tuesday through September 24. Get details at https://nature.ly/3M5beAP

Join TNC and the East Yellowstone Collaborative for the second annual Weeds, Wildlands and More! Ag Expo on August 7 from 4-7 p.m. at the Cody Auditorium. Connect with fellow community members and land managers to learn more and get resources about stewarding land, supporting working lands, wildlife, native plants and more. The event is free and open to all ages. Details at https://nature.ly/3yuKerc

Huge thanks to the Water for Wildlife Foundation for supporting The Nature Conservancy’s work to restore Canyon Creek, in the Bighorn Mountains, for wildlife. Invasive plants, along with downed trees and brush, had made it difficult for wildlife such as deer and pronghorn to access portions of the creek, which flows through our Tensleep Preserve. The grant has made it possible to begin treatments to control invasive plants, restore native vegetation and remove debris. Canyon Creek is home to a healthy beaver population, and the grant also is helping support irrigation improvements that will help beavers thrive while ensuring our downstream neighbors have access to water for ranching operations. Did you know you can visit Tensleep Preserve? Find out more at www.nature.org/tensleep. WATER FOR WILDLIFE FOUNDATION 📸 Trey Davis/TNC

Join us in Cody to learn about tools and resources for living with beavers, non-lethal beaver management and other options to mitigate beaver conflicts on your property. This three-hour workshop is followed by an optional field trip. Please register at https://nature.ly/3Wvw0hS. When: Monday, September 16, 9 am-12 pm Where: Wyoming Game and Fish Department Cody Regional Office, 2 Tilden Trail, Cody, WY.