CHEYENNE — Habitat is the theme of the October issue of Wyoming Wildlife magazine, which breaks down the state’s habitat types and highlights conservation projects across Wyoming. Here are some highlighted projects from that special issue:
Alpine/Forests, Popo Agie River restoration
The Popo Agie River near Lander is a red-ribbon trout fishery with 300-600 pounds of trout per mile. The only official public access in the lower reach is a state section called Country Garden. Unfortunately, many banks on this section of the river are actively eroding, losing several feet of bank per year and contributing excess sediment into the river, which yields
poor fish habitat. Many issues with the Popo Agie River are likely related to past or present land use activities, dewatering and channelization. Noticeable changes include agricultural land loss, a lower water table and a decrease in deep-rooted, native riparian vegetation. These issues concern the Popo Agie Conservation District and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This restoration project provides a partnership opportunity to restore river and riparian conditions. Improving the river habitat via bioengineered bank stabilization will create localized diverse habitat that benefits brown trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish and sauger, along with many other small-bodied, native fish. Additionally, improved riparian habitat could facilitate more forage and cover for terrestrial wildlife. In 2025, Game and Fish and PACD hired an engineering firm to assess existing conditions and produce designs for the proposed project reaches identified in 2023. Game and Fish staff also collected fisheries inventory data in October to establish a baseline for game species biomass per mile, which will be compared to post-project monitoring data.
Riparian/Wetlands, Tie Flume/Sheridan Municipal Watershed aspen/conifer removal
This project focused on cutting down encroaching conifers in aspen stands, riparian areas and mesic meadows. During summer 2025, a total of 157 acres of conifer removal occurred in upland aspen stands, and 842 acres of conifer removal occurred in riparian and mesic meadow habitat. This year, work on 292 acres was completed. Slash was jackstrawed to protect riparian, mesic meadow and aspen habitat from browsing pressure. Conifer expansion has negative implications for these habitats by outcompeting deciduous and herbaceous vegetation, which is preferred by many wildlife species for forage and cover.
Sagebrush Steppe/Grasslands, Sublette County invasive annual grass treatments
Since 2011, the Sublette County Weed and Pest District, in partnership with Game and Fish and other collaborators, has waged a determined campaign against invasive cheatgrass. During 2025, partners treated 64,028 acres of cheatgrass with the goal of eliminating all major problem areas remaining in the county. While treatments took place across all landownerships, a primary focus area was treating infestations located on Bureau of Land Management lands — areas that have been postponed in recent years awaiting the use of the herbicide Rejuvra. Looking ahead, partners remain committed to protecting these hard-won gains through continued surveillance and treatment of this invasive plant.
An electronic version of the special edition is free to the public.
About Wyoming Wildlife Magazine
Wyoming Wildlife is published 12 times a year for anglers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Its pages are full of the wild things and wild places that make Wyoming incomparable. Call 800-710-8345 or subscribe online for $20 for 12 issues.
— WGFD —
