The WYldlife Fund Announces New Grant Awards

Funds Will Combat Aquatic Invasive Species in Laramie Region and Support Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Camp WILD

Grant awards benefit key initiatives in Wyoming!

The Wyldlife Fund is committed to putting money on the ground to advance key wildlife initiatives across Wyoming. We are pleased to announce the following gifts!

The Fisheries Division in the Laramie Region of Wyoming Game and Fish are working hard to keep aquatic invasive species (AIS) from infiltrating our pristine waters.

New Zealand Mudsnails (NZMS) are AIS that pose a significant risk to the blue ribbon fisheries of the Laramie Region. Game and Fish Laramie Region fisheries biologist will erect 10 boot cleaning stations with educational signs about the biology of NZMS and the risk of transporting them via gear. These stations will be located at high risk high use areas in the Laramie fisheries management area such as the Upper North Platte River, Diamond Lake, the Big Laramie River, Twin Buttes Reservoir, and Wheatland Reservoir #3. The signs and stations will be designed in the spring of 2021 and installed in the fall of 2021.

New Zealand Mudsnails are currently in the North Park and Front Range of Colorado and the Casper Region in the North Platte River. Mudsnails are thought to be moved to different locations via fishing gear in particular waders and boots. The goal of the NZMS informational signs and boot cleaning stations is to educate and engage anglers on the importance of cleaning gear and to also provide a tool for the public to use to help stop the spread of AIS. The WYldlife Fund is pleased to grant $1,250 to this important initiative.

The second initiative being awarded grant funds is Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Camp WILD. Wyoming Game and Fish does an excellent job of putting together camps which engage families with young children and high school youth!

Some of the main activities included at family camps are:

flycasting/fly fishing
bear safety & biology
canoeing
geocaching
outdoor survival skills
air rifle
archery
birdwatching
intro to wildlife management
nature hike to torrey creek falls
petroglyph hike / history of the Whiskey Basin WHMA

High school youth camps include many of the same activities, including:

inquiry-based research projects
hike to lake louise
intro to wildlife management (including radio telemetry and sampling)
intro to fisheries management (hands-on sampling)
bear safety & biology
intro to birdwatching
air rifle
archery
canoeing
flycasting
-GPS/geocaching

Thanks to the Williams Foundation we are pleased to announce a gift of $2,500 to support Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Camp WILD. The WYldlife Fund is committed to supporting the Department’s Inspire a Kid program and we will continue to invest in the future of conservation through these great young people!

Thank YOU for your continued support.

All the best,

Chris