Wyoming has designated its first-ever pronghorn migration corridor, a more than 2 million-acre web of habitat, in an effort to protect the route used by the Sublette Pronghorn Herd. The designation was announced by Governor Mark Gordon at Trapper’s Point, a narrow bulge of high country that splits the Green and New Fork rivers.

Migration Route

The Sublette Pronghorn Herd migrates over 200 miles, from the Green River Basin to Grand Teton National Park, and this designation aims to prevent any surface-disturbing activity that could harm the pronghorn population. The migration corridor is considered a key factor in sustaining the pronghorn population, especially during severe winters or extreme droughts.

The designation is the result of nearly three decades of effort by biologists, conservationists, and state officials. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, along with other organizations, used data from tracking collars to delineate the route and propose protections for the migration corridor.

While the designation is a significant step forward, it is not without controversy. Some industry trade groups and counties had opposed the designation, citing concerns about the impact on development and private land use. However, the designation is designed to be permissive of development, with private land exempt from protections.

The next step will be to ensure that the designation remains effective as conditions change, through continued monitoring, adaptive management, research, and cooperation.

Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.