October 26, 2022 |
The University of Wyoming comes to Rawlins tonight, or at least its president, speakers and students from Carbon County. The free event called “UW In Your Community” is intended to introduce people to the university and the opportunities it offers.
It will be held at the Jefferey Center from 5 to 7 p.m.
One of the featured speakers is Greg Nickerson, a writer and filmmaker who documents the migration routes of elk, pronghorn and mule deer in Wyoming. While a variety of topics will be discussed tonight, Nickerson said his presentation will focus on wildlife movement in, and around, Rawlins.
Pictured above: File photo of the Jeffrey Center in Rawlins. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
With heavy traffic, and fences made specifically to keep them off the road, most animals can’t cross Interstate 80. Nickerson said wildlife from across the county are unable to reach grazing areas on the other side of the highway.
Nickerson is working with Wyoming Game and Fish and the Wyoming Department of Transportation to brainstorm ways of providing ways for big game animals to cross the interstate safely. Nickerson said I-80 already has a successful wildlife underpass in Carbon County. WyDot is looking at constructing another one near Elk Mountain.
A wildlife overpass is being considered for Halleck Ridge at mile marker 252. WYDOT is studying how a structure like an overpass creates the potential for drifting snow at that location. Halleck Ridge is a known migration route for herds coming out of the Snowy Range. Nickerson explained why that section of road is dangerous.
Wildlife are able to cross I-80 at bridges and traffic overpasses, like the one at Walcott Junction. Nickerson mentioned how animals use the bridge near Fort Steele to migrate under the road. However, he said the underpass at Dana Ridge is the only purpose-built wildlife crossing on the Interstate.
Fencing is another way to control animal migration. Several organizations are raising money to retrofit existing range fencing to make it easier for animals to cross over or under. Nickerson said having this alternative path will allow wildlife to move around roads without putting people in danger.
Wyoming Migration Initiative’s Greg Nickerson will present his ideas on wildlife movement at tonight’s UW “In Your Community” event at the Jeffery Center.
Other speakers will include university president, Ed Seidel. Seidel will be joined by UW students from Carbon County who will talk about what the school does to help them succeed in the contemporary world.
Megan Kerley is the university’s IMPACT 307 business councilor for Carbon County. She will discuss how the IMPACT program helps entrepreneurs in the county.
Emily Haver, a UW extension educator familiar to many in the county, will encourage women to pursue studies in the STEM fields.
The University of Wyoming’s free “In Your Community” event will be held at the Jeffery Memorial Community Center in Rawlins tonight from 5 to 7pm. Appetizers will be served free of charge. A cash bar also will be available.
