January 2025 - 2

FROM THE
DIRECTOR
New year, new plate, join the club
The new Wildlife Conservation License Plate feature the pronghorn. (WGFD photo)
By Angi Bruce
T
hose who know me know
wildlife crossings are
a
In 2018, under the leadership of former
personal passion of
mine. There are not many cases in
wildlife management where you can
implement a solution and guarantee
success. However, with wildlife
crossings, you can.
I was privileged to provide leadership to this
initiative when I first came to Wyoming. It has
been a pleasure to work alongside partners to
move this initiative forward. Wyoming's work
on crossings did not start with me. In fact, the
Wyoming Game and Fish Department has
worked closely with the Wyoming Department
of Transportation since the 1950s to make our
roadways safe for wildlife and people. I am
continuously impressed by the work of our
counties, conservation stakeholders, industry
partners and WYDOT, who are all working
together to make our roads safer.
2 | January 2025
Wyoming House Representative Stan
Blake, with support from the Muley Fanatic
Foundation, Greater Yellowstone Coalition
and many others, the specialty license plate,
known as the Wildlife Conservation License
Plate, sailed through the legislative process
on the first try. I think this says a lot about
the people of Wyoming and their support
for wildlife.
As we enter the 2025 legislative session, I
encourage you to speak up for those issues that
are passionate to you. Our legislators provide
ample opportunity for public comment,
in-person and virtually. As director of a state
agency, I belong to the executive branch of
state government, therefore, you will not hear
me or the department staff supporting or
opposing bills.
Our role is to inform the legislators
and the public of the possible impacts on
the department and our fish and wildlife
resources. We often are asked if we are in
favor of a bill, and our response is one of
factual content. For example, with the bill
that allowed for the conservation plate, we
spoke about how the funding from the license
plate sales increases our ability to implement
more wildlife crossings. It provides state funds
to match with federal dollars, shows local
support and provides visual awareness on the
need for crossings. Clearly articulating the
impacts that a bill has is a priority for me as
this allows the legislative branch to make the
best decisions for the wildlife of our state.
After six years, I still get excited when I
pull into a parking lot and see vehicles with
conservation plates. I feel those of us with the
conservation plate belong to our own club
whose members want to do more for wildlife
in Wyoming. The plate contributions will
allow us to continue the innovative work on
crossings Wyoming is known for. Our past
crossing projects have been successful, but
there is a need for additional work.
If you haven't joined the club, now is the
time.
Scan the QR code to learn more
about getting your Wildlife
Conservation License Plate.
https://www.dot.state.wy.us/wildlife_plate
January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2025
