Wyoming Wildlife May 2024 - 35

" Nongame wildlife are important in Wyoming
because they represent the bulk of diversity within
our state's ecosystem, " said Zack Walker, Game and
Fish nongame wildlife supervisor. " If you start losing
species, the whole system becomes vulnerable. "
At Game and Fish there is a team of nongame
mammal and bird biologists dedicated to studying
these critters and conserving the diversity of species
on the landscape. The loss of wildlife can have big
effects on Wyoming. A nongame biologist's job is to
study these species and get a better understanding
of what affects them and what is needed to help
conserve them.
Nongame mammal biologists played a big role
in the recovery of the black-footed ferret. The small
mammal that was once thought to be extinct was
rediscovered in Wyoming 41 years ago. Since then
nongame biologists have been working on their
recovery, which has been successful.
COMMUNICATIONS
Communication professionals play a big role
in wildlife management. Game and Fish outreach
specialists and educators advocate for wildlife and
conservation. They help raise awareness, foster understanding
and garner support for conservation efforts
across the Cowboy State.
Although we live in the least populated state in
the country, it doesn't mean Wyoming's wildlife isn't
facing challenges of development, disease, habitat
loss or weather - just to name a few. The challenges
our wildlife face are often complex and sometimes
difficult to understand. Game and Fish outreach
specialists and educators are responsible for distilling
the scientific research behind these issues into
an understandable language for a diverse audience.
" By conveying complex concepts clearly, they
can help educate the public about wildlife issues,
conservation challenges and the important role we all
play within the natural world, " said Nish Goicolea,
Game and Fish communications and education
chief. " Game and Fish communication professionals
do this through media outreach, social media and
educational programs. Their effective communication
helps to foster collaboration and partnerships among
stakeholders and communities. "
Communications and Education Division's creative
teams include writers, educators, photographers,
graphic designers and videographers. While
each person within the division has a distinct role,
much of what they do overlaps with others' areas of
expertise, so collaboration is key.
The visual communications team creates audio,
video, graphics, illustrations and social media content
about the department's conservation efforts. They
capture content with cameras, trail cams and drones,
Communications and Education Division staff certify teachers in Laramie as archery instructors through the National
Archery in Schools Program. This allows them to teach NASP in their schools. (WGFD photo)
often working with field personnel to document
their roles and efforts. Through these diverse mediums
they are able to tell visual stories showing off
the hundreds of wildlife species that call Wyoming
home and the work that goes into managing them.
The media relations team informs the public
through mass media, such as television and radio.
Sometimes the media personnel do television or radio
interviews themselves and sometimes they coordinate
with experts to do the interview. These communication
professionals are known as the department's
writers and produce news releases, newsletters and
emails that reach thousands of people.
The Wyoming Wildlife magazine team is responsible
for developing a monthly magazine that is sent to all
50 states and 16 countries. The magazine highlights
the department's work and research with the help of
others within the department contributing their own
experiences in writing and photos from the field. The
magazine has been published for the last 88 years, and
in many ways serves as a record-keeper of Game and
Fish, chronicling how things change and providing
an enduring platform for the department's history.
The education team is responsible for inspiring
the next generation of hunters, anglers and outdoor
enthusiasts. They teach Wyomingites about
the important role hunters play in conservation
through a wide range of department programs. The
team often gets the chance to work outside of the
office teaching people how to fish, hunt, identify
wildlife and more.
Wyoming Wildlife | 35

Wyoming Wildlife May 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Wyoming Wildlife May 2024