Cody Field Office builds on friendly fencing initiative with partners and volunteers

Cody Field Office builds on friendly fencing initiative with partners and volunteers

Oct 4, 2024

The Cody Field Office, Absaroka Fence Initiative (AFI) and community volunteers made a difference for the Carter Mountain pronghorn herd during a National Public Lands Day event this fall. The fence modification project was located on public land managed by the BLM on Y U Bench, southeast of Cody, Wyoming.

Erin Tighe, an American Conservation Experience intern in the BLM Cody Field Office, works alongside other volunteers to remove the bottom wire of the fence and lower the top wire to 38" high. (Photo by Sarah Beckwith, BLM Wyoming)

Together, the group modified more than 2 miles of barbed wire fence, making it easier for the large pronghorn herd to travel between summer and winter ranges.

Volunteers removed the bottom wire of the fence and lowered the top wire to 38" high, allowing pronghorn to cross under the fence safely and other wildlife to jump over more easily. The modification maintains the fence's functionality for livestock.

"This was the 20th project completed by the Absaroka Fence Initiative," said Alicia Hummel, AFI committee member and Cody Field Office range management specialist. "It has been incredible to see the continued support that our volunteers, partners and the community have provided to keep the initiative growing strong."

Community volunteers, along with members of the Absaroka Fence Initiative and the BLM came together to modify a barbed wire fence, making it more wildlife friendly. (Photo by Sarah Beckwith, BLM Wyoming)

Almost 40 people volunteered for the project. The group also enjoyed lunch together, generously provided by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, an AFI partnering organization.

AFI is made up of landowners, community members, non-governmental organizations and local government agencies in Park County. Collaborators target where fencing can be improved to have the greatest impact on wildlife migration while still effectively managing livestock.

A volunteer rolls up the bottom strand of barbed wire that was removed from the fence. (Photo by Sarah Beckwith, BLM Wyoming)