WYOMING — Today the Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced that it invested more than $12.9 million for aquatic and terrestrial habitat projects in 2020. The projects have been deemed crucial for conserving and growing populations of more than 800 species in Wyoming for future generations.
In its recent 2020 Strategic Habitat Plan Annual Report, Game and Fish released that it allocated more than $3.3 million in funds for habitat projects – about double the prior year’s amount – and was able to leverage that for more than $9.6 million from the Wyoming Wildlife Natural Resources Trust fund, federal government funds, state funds, private landowners and local conservation partners. That number swelled $3 million from 2019.
“Habitat conservation is one of the most important tools the Wyoming Game and Fish Department uses to sustain wild and healthy populations of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife,” said Brian Nesvik, Game and Fish director.
The annual report details diverse accomplishments throughout the state. Through COVID-19 times, the department executed 213 habitat projects. Game and Fish helped direct restoration, monitored and enhanced activities aimed at improving 271 stream miles and more than 712,898 acres of terrestrial habitats. Herbicide treatments to help control and prevent the spread of invasive weeds topped out at 85,186 acres, nearly double the 2019 effort. More details on projects and the species they impact can be found in the report.
Ian Tator, Game and Fish statewide terrestrial habitat manager, noted that the five-year Strategic Habitat Plan was revised and approved by the Commission in 2020.
“The plan remains the cornerstone of habitat management in the state and directs Game and Fish efforts to focus on projects that invest in the future of Wyoming,” Tator said.
This year’s annual report profiles the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program for their contributions to aquatic stream restoration, fish passage, wetland development and other projects.
Current and past reports can be downloaded from the Game and Fish website.
