Absarokas Working Group

With the rollout of the USDA/WY Big Game Conservation Partnership Pilot Project, working groups have been set up in each of the five priority areas across Wyoming. LegacyWorks facilitates the local Absarokas Working Group (AWG) which includes extensive participation from federal, state, and NGO organizations.

The AWG goal is to: Maintain, conserve, and enhance connected landscapes, wildlife habitat, and working lands within the Absarokas Priority Area (APA) using tools and financial assistance provided by the USDA-Wyoming Big Game Conservation Partnership Pilot Program (The Pilot) while providing the highest level of service, trust, and professionalism.

The group first convened in spring 2023 and now meets at least quarterly to share resources, knowledge, and strategies in support of this pilot project which brings robust dollars to the area for habitat leases, habitat restoration, and purchased conservation easements in recognition of the valuable wildlife habitat that private landowners provide.

A subset of the group is convening as the Absarokas Annual Invasive Grasses Working Group to develop a targeted strategy to address cheatgrass invasions in our core habitat areas along the Absaroka Front.

Working together harnesses our collective expertise. Working together is working smarter.

AWG partner list includes:

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Farm Services Agency

Conservation Districts- Cody, Powell, Meeteetse

Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Shoshone National Forest

Bureau of Land Management

Western Landowners Alliance

Greater Yellowstone Coalition

Park County Open Lands

The Nature Conservancy

Beyond Yellowstone

The Wyldlife Fund

Absaroka Fence Initiative

Park County Conservation Districts

Park County Weed and Pests

The Nature Conservancy

LegacyWorks Group, as facilitator