Projects

The USDA-WY Big Game Conservation Partnership Initiative has directed robust funding to priority areas in Wyoming, but getting the dollars to ground in support of working lands has been the challenge. Collaboration has been key.

The USDA's Big Game Conservation Partnership now includes Montana and Idaho, supporting working lands vital for wildlife and migratory big game with incentives through programs like Grassland Conservation Reserve.

Park County livestock producers face economic risks from Brucellosis outbreaks, which can lead to state-mandated quarantines. To help, the East Yellowstone Collaborative and PERC, working with Absarokas producers, created a Brucellosis Compensation Fund launching winter 2024-2025. The fund offers per-head payments during quarantines over a three-year trial, promoting disease prevention best practices.

The Absaroka Invasive Task Force, established in 2023, collaborates with various agencies and landowners to combat the spread of invasive cheatgrass that threatens native plant communities in Park County. In 2024, the Task Force successfully treated 6,000 acres of private ranches and 50,000 acres of public land, with future plans to secure multi-year funding for expanded efforts.

The East Yellowstone Collaborative hosts annual events to promote conservation among landowners, managers, nonprofits, and the Park County community. These gatherings highlight private lands' role in wildlife success, share management solutions and best practices, and offer social opportunities for land stewards.