Wyoming Advances Formal Protection for the Path of the Pronghorn Migration Corridor

The Sublette pronghorn migrates ~150 miles from I-80 to Grand Teton, crossing natural-gas development. Conservation biologist Joel Berger has advocated protection since the early 2000s; a 2008 Forest Service plan set aside 47,000 acres in the northern segment, leaving the south unprotected. Wyoming Outdoor Council staffer Meghan Riley helped draft the executive-order process; land surveyor Bill Ames is a local spokesperson. Gov. Mark Gordon’s 2023 order created an 11-member working group led by deputy policy advisor Sara DiRienzo. Sublette County Commissioner Lynn Bernard voiced county concerns, while industry groups expressed reservations.

Associated Press

Key milestones: early-2000s advocacy by Berger; 2008 protection of 47,000 acres in the north; 2019 start of a separate mule-deer designation; 2023 executive order forming the working group; and a recent Friday meeting where eight members voted fully supportive, three with reservations (Allison “serious reservations”; Henn and Rood “with reservation”), and none opposed.

Associated Press

The corridor spans roughly 150 miles; the working group comprises 11 members; the vote was 8-0-3 (support-with-reservations-opposed). The northern segment already includes 47,000 protected acres.

Associated Press

Governor Gordon’s order created a formal statewide process for wildlife-corridor designations and tasked the working group with recommendations. Deputy advisor DiRienzo said the final draft will go to the governor for approval. The Game and Fish Department noted other routes, such as mule-deer migrations, remain pending.

Associated Press

Extractive-industry, county and agricultural groups previously blocked the Game and Fish Department’s first corridor proposal. Commissioner Bernard said “we’re thankful, but we’ll control our own county.” Industry members voted with reservations, citing development limits.

Associated Press

• “It’s really nice to see Wyoming, after a quarter of a century, step up and formally declare how important migration corridors are.” — Joel Berger, Conservation Biologist

Associated Press

• “I know it doesn’t feel like it — working through Google Docs in real time — but this is actually a historic moment,” — Meghan Riley, Wyoming Outdoor Council staffer

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• “I had no expectation that this would come out this way, this fast, with a very diverse group. Thank you.” — Bill Ames, Land Surveyor

Associated Press

Protecting the corridor maintains ecological connectivity for the Sublette pronghorn, an iconic species, while allowing continued economic activity in the region. A formal state designation could serve as a model for future wildlife-corridor protections across Wyoming’s fragmented landscapes.

Associated Press

Governor Gordon is expected to review the working group’s recommendations and issue a final decision on the pronghorn corridor designation. The Game and Fish Department will continue evaluating other mapped routes, including mule-deer migrations, for future protection.

Associated Press