In 2019, Governor Mark Gordon formed a Big Game Migration Corridor Advisory Group where eight members, representing key stakeholder groups, were tasked with providing policy recommendations to sustain the migration corridors in Wyoming. 

Group members volunteered hundreds of hours of their time and shared their expertise for this important task over a 6-month period to develop a migration policy that would work for Wyoming. It was a historical moment in the conservation history of the state, and I was grateful to be a part of it. The outcome was impressive — they created the first migration corridor policy framework of its kind in the nation. An executive order to recognize mule deer and antelope migration was put in place, providing a process to ensure their sustainability, and at the same time, give developers a tool for planning.

The group first went to work understanding the science behind the corridors and the possible threats to them. They heard from biologists and researchers who are experts in the field. They reviewed federal land managers’ policy and procedures to understand the federal project permits and how they affect the movement of mule deer and antelope. Technical experts across county, state and federal government provided information throughout the work sessions. They listened to conservation groups, industry and landowners to understand stakeholders' concerns and how they wanted corridors to look in the future.

This group did not shy away from the hard discussions. They met in towns located near the corridors in western Wyoming and formed a shared understanding of the issue. They discussed the pros and cons of all proposed solutions, shared meals together and exchanged personal stories. Lasting friendships were formed and mutual respect given. 

This dedicated team produced a recommendation that led to the executive order on migration corridors by Gordon, Executive Order 2020-01. This executive order does not prescribe stipulations on development, but outlines a process for work being considered within the boundaries of the corridor to minimize impacts on mule deer and antelope when moving from summer to winter habitats.

Reasons why this executive order is a success:

• It recognizes the importance of sustaining significant migration corridors to a healthy population of mule deer and antelope.
• It created a project review process with the state permitting agency and not with the federal land management agency. This is critical for maintaining a consistent approach that is allowed to adapt with emerging science.
• It outlines the jurisdiction of these state-managed species and gives the federal land management agencies guidance to follow when developing federal policy. It sends a clear message that the federal government should defer to the state policy and not determine its own migration corridors or protections.
• It recognizes the value of private lands within the corridors and encourages, rather than prescribes, any policy over them.
• Acknowledges high-priority corridors to encourage strategic volunteer conservation practices in them to achieve measured conservation benefits.

This grassroots effort for policy development resulted in a tool that is more flexible than prescriptive. It’s policy that puts the state in the lead over the federal agencies and a reflection of Wyoming’s commitment to mule deer and antelope conservation. I would like to personally thank all those involved in the process. It’s a clear example of how our work can be supported, durable and creative when we tackle it together.