The Red Desert Fence Initiative continues to gain momentum with the launch of Phase 2, a critical step toward improving habitat connectivity and reducing wildlife barriers in Wyoming’s iconic Red Desert.

Building on the success of Phase 1, which began with the conversion of 15 miles of outdated woven wire fencing near South Pass, Phase 2 will expand these efforts in the northern Red Desert along the Sweetwater River corridor. This area is a vital intersection for several key species, including the Sublette pronghorn herd, mule deer, moose, elk, and sage grouse.

The fences in this region, many of which are deteriorating and topped with barbed wire, pose significant challenges to wildlife. GPS collar data from pronghorn clearly demonstrate that traditional fencing creates barriers to movement. In some areas, animals have gone to great lengths to bypass troublesome fences, digging beneath or pushing wires down to gain passage. Migration is already inherently dangerous, and poor fence conditions only increase the risk of injury or entanglement.

The goals of Phase 2 mirror those of the initial phase: replace harmful woven wire with wildlife-friendly fencing that includes barbless configurations, improved spacing, and strategic crossings. These upgrades will reduce mortality and improve ease of movement for wildlife in the area.

This major conservation effort is being led by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and WYldlife for Tomorrow is proud to pledge $10,000 in support. This contribution comes straight from the proceeds of the much-loved Pronghorn Pilsner. A heartfelt thanks goes to Wind River Brewing, one of our steadfast and valued partners, for making this possible! Since teaming up with WYldlife for Tomorrow, Wind River’s Pronghorn Pilsner has become their best selling brew – proving once again that successful business and impactful conservation can go hand in hand. 

For nearly a century, the Jackson Drug building has anchored the northwest corner of Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming — a living relic of small-town charm. Ownership shifted hands a few times over the years and, sadly, its cherished role as a bustling soda fountain came to a pause in 2001 much to the dismay of tourists and locals alike.

But in 2010, the story began its full circle journey when the building returned to its original proprietors — the Gill family. Sisters Jessica and Nikki Gill, born and raised in Jackson, were eager to breathe new life into the iconic establishment. With a deep-rooted love for their hometown and a shared commitment to preserving its character, the sisters set out to restore Jackson Drug to its former glory.

Today, Jackson Drug is enjoying a vibrant revival. Jessica and Nikki have struck a balance between a nostalgic escape to simpler times and a refreshed menu that satisfies modern tastebuds. It’s more than a restaurant—it’s a step back in time and a celebration of what makes Jackson special.

For the Gill sisters, conservation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a way of life. They know that protecting Wyoming’s wildlife, wide-open spaces, and natural heritage is essential. That’s why they’ve found a delicious way to leverage their newfound Town Square success to support what they care about most.

Enter Moose Tracks ice cream: a blend of Oreos, chocolate caramel bites, and a rich caramel swirl folded into a creamy vanilla base. A portion of proceeds from every scoop sold is donated to WYldlife for Tomorrow which in turn helps fund priority conservation projects across the state as identified by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This is dessert with a purpose! 

Like all of WYldlife for Tomorrow’s collaborations, this partnership with Jackson Drug is rooted in a shared passion for conserving wild Wyoming. It’s about meeting businesses where their strengths lie — in this case, in a scoop of handcrafted ice cream, and using those strengths to give back to the wild places and wild things we all cherish.

So here’s to Jessica and Nikki, for reviving a community treasure and more recently turning it into a beacon for conservation through collaboration with WYldlife for Tomorrow. Thank you for proving that conservation is fun, rewarding, and delicious.  

Make ours a double scoop.

For those following recent conservation successes in Wyoming, the Red Desert likely rings a bell.

At the heart of Wyoming’s legendary pronghorn migration route and home to vital winter range, the Red Desert has long captured the attention of biologists seeking to safeguard the future of this iconic species.

Last year marked a major conservation milestone for Wyoming’s pronghorn, and the University of Wyoming’s new documentary, Unwired—released on April 30—tells the story of how collaboration drove a groundbreaking achievement for the species.

For more than 70 years, biologists have documented the hardships pronghorn face during winter migration, especially in severe winters. Highways and fences pose major threats, with exclusionary fencing proving particularly deadly during brutal winter seasons like 2022–23.

The Sublette pronghorn herd lost 43% of its population – or roughly 4,000 animals – during that notably harsh winter.   A major factor? Inaccessible winter habitat in the Red Desert due to fencing that blocks critical winter range.  Unwired focuses on a partnership between local rancher Tom Chant and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to find a solution to allow for his ranch to fully operate while promoting pronghorn winter survival. 

Last summer, boots hit the ground and shovels hit the dirt as a diverse coalition of partners worked side by side to remove exclusionary fencing and replace it with a wildlife-friendly alternative. These new fences allow pronghorn—poor jumpers—to crawl underneath, while still containing cattle and horses. In just 45 days, 23 miles of fencing were replaced, reconnecting 18,000 acres of prime winter range that had been inaccessible to pronghorn for 75 years.

This story, so beautifully outlined in Unwired, was largely funded by The Knobloch Family Foundation, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, and The WYldlife Fund.  The short film itself – winner of The Best Film about Wyoming Award at the Wild and Working Lands Film Festival – can be viewed here.

While the 18,000 acres celebrated in Unwired is a huge success, at least 94,000 acres of critical habitat in the Red Desert remain inaccessible due to more than 50 miles of exclusionary fencing. WYldlife for Tomorrow and WYldlife Fund are actively raising support to continue this important work through the Red Desert Fence Initiative, with phase two set to begin this summer with the additional 15 miles of fence conversion.

As we look back on 2024, it’s clear that WYldlife for Tomorrow, a program of The WYldlife Fund, has made significant strides toward achieving its mission. With a dedicated team, growing visibility, and expanding partnerships, we are excited to leverage this momentum and build on the successes of the past year. As we approach 2025, we are committed to setting ambitious goals that will help us continue to conserve Wyoming’s wildlife and their habitats. The beginning of a new year offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on our priorities, plan for the future, and renew our dedication to the conservation of Wyoming’s invaluable wildlife. Here’s a glimpse into our key goals for the year ahead! 

Promote Sustainable Ecotourism

Wyoming’s wildlife brings in thousands of visitors each year — visitors who explore our parks, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, enjoy our recreation services and shop in our communities. The state’s economy depends on tourism, and tourism depends on our wildlife.  In 2025, WYldlife for Tomorrow will continue to inspire businesses that rely on Wyoming’s natural beauty to invest in meaningful conservation initiatives. Our goal is to foster partnerships that encourage businesses to give back to the land and wildlife that support their success, ultimately promoting sustainable ecotourism practices that protect Wyoming’s wildlife for generations to come.

Strengthen Community Engagement 

As we move into 2025, our team will continue to focus on building relationships with Wyoming businesses, communities, foundations and other conservation organizations to make a difference for wildlife.  Together, we can create lasting, positive change for wildlife and help fund priority conservation projects across the state. Our work will focus on increasing awareness while ensuring that local communities and businesses have an avenue to become actively engaged in the process. When we unite as a state, we can amplify our impact and achieve real, tangible benefits for wildlife and habitat conservation.

Expand Representation Across the State

WYldlife for Tomorrow is a statewide initiative and, as such, we aim to ensure that all corners of Wyoming are represented in our efforts. Our wildlife is a shared resource, and everyone across the state has a stake in conservation. In 2025, we plan to broaden our outreach and aim to build more cobranded partnerships with local businesses. These partnerships will strengthen our program’s visibility and demonstrate how businesses, large and small, can benefit from supporting wildlife conservation efforts. If you know of a business in your area that could align with our mission, we invite you to get in touch. Together, we can forge new collaborations that will help cement WYldlife for Tomorrow as a statewide initiative.

Looking Ahead with Gratitude and Purpose

As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, there is much to be thankful for at WYldlife for Tomorrow. However, our focus is always forward. With the new year on the horizon, we are excited to dive into the work that will help us reach our 2025 goals. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our partners, donors, and community members, and we look forward to continuing this important journey together. Through collaboration and dedication, we will ensure that Wyoming’s wildlife and habitats remain healthy, thriving, and protected for generations to come.

Let’s make 2025 the year we take our efforts to new heights, together!