In fall 2018, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Sheridan Region Terrestrial Habitat Biologist Todd Caltrider began working with members of the Spring Creek Grazing Association on a long-term plan to improve range conditions on the Thunder Basin National Grassland and several adjoining private properties northeast of Gillette, Wyoming. Multiple projects were implemented over several years and monitoring efforts have now begun to measure the project’s success.
The 90-year-old grazing association cooperatively manages 95,000 acres of public and private land. Permittees had identified areas lacking proper livestock infrastructure, resulting in overuse of rangeland. To address these concerns, the group partnered with Wyoming Game and Fish, USFWS, USFS and NRCS to plan and implement a strategy to improve rangeland health, which would in turn improve livestock grazing and wildlife habitat.
“They had a hard time getting good distribution of their livestock in that area because there was very little water available,” said Caltrider. “The livestock congregated near the few water sources and utilized those mesic areas heavily while other areas further from water got very little grazing pressure.”
Habitat types in the area included native sagebrush grasslands intermixed with ponderosa pine and Rocky Mountain juniper on steeper slopes. Multiple riparian areas with typical prairie riparian vegetation were also present.
To better disperse grazing, between 2020-2022, the Spring Creek Grazing Association drilled six wells, installed 14 livestock watering tanks and 35,402 feet of water pipeline, and constructed over three miles of cross fencing.
In addition, 15.33 miles of existing pasture fence were refitted to a wildlife-friendly design. Previous fencing included six to seven wire strands at heights that hindered safe wildlife passage.
“In the arid West, water is key for all species to thrive, not just livestock,” said Wendy Hutchinson, rangeland manager for the Spring Creek Grazing Association. “The water projects have been well utilized by wildlife. Additionally, much of this land was fenced decades ago and was intended to contain livestock. Improved fencing techniques today include installing the bottom wire higher than what was done in the past. Also it is typical today that the bottom wire is now smooth, not barbed. This makes it easier for wildlife to pass under the fence.”
Stubble height monitoring transects are in place in livestock pastures where infrastructure improvements were completed. Monitoring is done in the fall after the growing season is complete. These transects were placed in overutilized and underutilized areas to assess future grazing pressure and the impact of the new infrastructure. Data over the next several years will be compared to transect data from the same points collected prior to the improvement projects. Data will be analyzed and shared in 2027.
“When we can add water and implement grazing rotation systems, we give those areas with concentrated grazing pressure a chance to recover,” said Caltrider. “This will help improve brood-rearing habitat for sage grouse and fawn-rearing habitat for mule deer.”
The project was funded with $340,000 in grants from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Habitat Trust, the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife and the Bureau of Land Management.
“SCGA will continue to look for opportunities to partner with organizations that share our goals of long-term sustainability and multiple use of the grasslands,” said Hutchinson. “The members of the SCGA are ranching families that have been stewarding these rangelands for decades. The SCGA takes a long-term view of the health of the ecosystem and wants all species to thrive.”
“The presence of working ranches in the West is necessary to maintain the open spaces that are needed for vistas, recreation opportunities, and to retain habitat and migration corridors for native species,” she continued. “We believe this long-term project helps us progress that ideal.”