WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 17, 2022) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new pilot program to safeguard big game wildlife migration corridors by encouraging collaboration with private landowners in Wyoming ensures that wildlife species such as elk, mule deer, and pronghorn can survive and thrive for future generations. 

“Restoring and reconnecting wildlife migration habitat through voluntary collaboration with private landowners is one of the most effective ways to manage lands for the benefit of wildlife. We must work together, across jurisdictional boundaries to effectively safeguard ecosystems,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We are grateful to Secretary Vilsack and Governor Gordon for their visionary leadership in gathering so many diverse stakeholders to work together to conserve migration corridors across the landscape. The Wyoming pilot program will serve as a model for the rest of the nation for developing collaborative, common sense solutions to improve wildlife habitat.” 

“The valuable partnership between the USDA and the state of Wyoming will conserve wildlife and wildlife migration corridors through voluntary, collaborative incentives that reward farmers and ranchers for the stewardship of their lands. The Wyoming Wildlife Federation applauds this effort to coordinate and collaborate for the conservation of our wildlife and their habitat in Wyoming," said Joy Bannon, executive director of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. "To be successful on the ground, the state of Wyoming is providing support to the Department of Agriculture on the implementation of its program. Because of this partnership, wildlife will be able to survive and thrive on healthy, contiguous lands which is essential to their existence for generations to come.”