PROJECT PROFILES 1 On a mission for you The Wyoming Game and Fish Department works throughout the year to fulfill the mission of " conserving wildlife, serving people. " A variety of projects, surveys and efforts are underway across Wyoming to meet this charge. Some highlights of recent work include: 1 2 3 4 5 2 3 6 Irrigation upgrades: A two-phase project was recently completed to upgrade the Brush Draw irrigation system at the Yellowtail Wildlife Habitat Management Area near Lovell. The second phase consisted of the installation of 1,575 feet of pipe in an existing ditch that put at least 18 acres back into production that hadn't received water for 15 years. Wyoming Outdoorsmen provided funding for the project. 4 Woods Landing boat ramp: Game and Fish recently installed a boat ramp at the Woods Landing Public Access Area on the Laramie River. It is the last exit point from the river until the Monolith Ranch Public Access Area. Game and Fish prioritized the work because irrigation diversions and livestock fencing downstream create hazardous conditions for rafters. The Woods Landing Public Access Area is located on land owned by the Wyoming Department of Transportation. 5 Twin Buttes angler survey: An angler survey is ongoing at Twin Buttes Reservoir near Laramie to evaluate the success of stocked rainbow trout and improve the fishery over time. Since 2020 Game and Fish stocked two strains of rainbow trout in the reservoir, one that spawns in the spring and one in the fall. The fall-strain fish had their adipose fin removed before being stocked. Information from anglers allows biologists to see if one strain is surviving and being caught more than the other. This is a three-year survey conducted in the spring and fall. 6 Aspen regeneration: Game and Fish, in partnership with the Bighorn National Forest, is implementing aspen regeneration projects in the Clear Creek and Crazy Woman Creek drainages in the Sheridan Region. With habitat grant dollars, Game and Fish contracted a forestry crew to remove encroaching conifers in aspen stands to promote aspen retention and regeneration in declining aspen stands. Deer Creek fencing: A collaborative effort between the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Game and Fish and landowners resulted in improved fencing along Interstate 25 from Mormon Canyon Road to exit 165 near Glenrock in the Casper Region. The area has a high number of deer-vehicle collisions. The fence keeps deer off the interstate and funnels them underneath the highway through existing underpasses and bridges over Deer Creek. WYDOT funded the project. Headquarters habitat: Game and Fish's Wildlife and Services divisions teamed with the Cheyenne High Plains Audubon Society and the Laramie County Conservation District to enhance a small habitat area west of the Cheyenne headquarters building. Part of the area will be planted with native, flowering plants to provide habitat for pollinating insects and birds. Funding also will be used to purchase different types of treatments that help prevent birds from striking nearby windows. Wyoming Wildlife | 13