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, structures like fences and roads have rapidly sprawled across these habitats, breaking landscapes into fragmented, disconnected pieces. This impacts wildlife, whether by impeding critical migration or through the structures themselves causing mortalities.

For a big-picture view of modern wildlife trying to migrate to get to food, mates, and other resources, watch the animation below that follows migration patterns along Utah’s Highway 89.

The hundreds of thousands of miles of fencing across the West can be just as damaging to wildlife, but unfortunately, many of the fences across the western United States remain unmapped. This makes it difficult for state and federal agencies to identify areas where fences may be impeding wildlife movement.

That’s why we are working with Bureau of Land Management, Utah Migration Initiative, and other partner agencies to develop a project mapping the condition of fences across western landscapes, ensuring that they are both functional and wildlife-friendly. In some cases, even small retrofits to fences can open up barriers that allow wildlife to move more freely across the landscape, while also maintaining the functionality of the fences themselves.

This project seeks to offer wildlife a way to safely traverse the unique landscapes of the American West and access the resources they need. Community-gathered data from this project will allow government agencies, agricultural producers, and other stakeholders to prioritize wildlife-friendly fencing that both improves wildlife mobility and increases functionality. As we quilt a fractured landscape back together, we revive legacies of thriving wildlife populations moving freely across the West.

Project Information

Field Season: Year-round depending on site location and accessibility

Volunteer Commitment Level: Flexible and varies, depending on individual volunteer interest. Can visit recommended sites as desired. Requires the ability to navigate to independent sites, walk on uneven surfaces, and potentially hike.

Training: Yes. Coming in spring 2024!

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 every few weeks about the project during the season. Sign up below to receive these emails.