Project Background
For thousands of years, elk, deer, pronghorn, and other wildlife of the American West have traveled over large swaths of land to access the resources they need to survive. But in recent years, these movements have been stressed by drought and human development. While the rapid spread of structures like fences and roads has proved to be a vital component of functional, working lands, these structures also impact the wildlife who rely on open landscapes to complete their migrations.
Watch the video below to see just one example of a pronghorn trapped within a fencing allotment in Utah:
Hundreds of thousands of miles of fencing across the West pose a barrier to wildlife, and many of these fences remain unmapped. This makes it difficult for state and federal agencies to identify areas where fences may be impeding wildlife movement. Small-scale fencing retrofits in these areas may bring large-scale benefits for both wildlife and the people that work on these lands. Community-gathered mapping data from this program will allow government agencies, agricultural producers, and other stakeholders to prioritize where wildlife-friendly fencing can both improve wildlife mobility and increase functionality.
2025 project sticker, designed by Valerie Jar.
That’s why we are working with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Bureau of Land Management, Utah Migration Initiative, Natural Resources Conservation Services, and other partner agencies and organizations to develop a program to improve the health of big game populations, while also supporting working lands. By mapping the condition of fences across western landscapes and providing the resources to implement changes in critical wildlife migration areas, we can quilt a fractured landscape back together.
Resources
Coming soon!
Conserve wildlife habitat and migration in the West by donating today.
A mule deer buck surveys the autumn landscape. Photo: Janice Gardner.
At a Glance
Field Season: Year-round depending on site location and accessibility
Volunteer Commitment Level: Flexible and varies, depending on individual volunteer interest. Requires the ability walk on uneven surfaces, work with a team, and potentially handle barbed wire.
Training: Yes. Coming in Fall 2025!
Requirements: Field work, walking natural terrains, vehicle, and access to a smartphone or tablet. If you do not have access to these resources or have questions about accessibility, please contact us.
Communications: We will be sending out emails once a month about the project during the season. Sign up to receive these emails.
Project Updates:
Coming soon!
