ALPINE, Wyo. — A habitat restoration project on the Greys River Ranger District of Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) will get underway later this week, which will include removing conifers to support aspen stands in hopes of improving forage conditions for elk and mule deer.
In a Tuesday press release, BTNF stated that most of the work in this phase is anticipated to be completed between Oct. 1 and 15, though some work could continue intermittently until winter weather rolls in. Contract crews for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), coordinated with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), will fell conifer trees allowing for an increase in the density and canopy cover of aspen trees. The Southwest Middle Ridge Habitat Project will take place about 12 miles up the Greys River Road from Alpine.
“The southwest portion of Middle Ridge is an important winter range for elk and encompasses important migration habitat for mule deer,” BTNF stated. “This project is primarily designed to restore forage conditions for these species and to benefit a wide range of other species.”
According to BTNF, an increase in aspen trees could reinvigorate “understory vegetation.” This will benefit wintering elk, migrating and fawning mule deer, moose, and many bird and pollinator species dependent upon aspen, understory shrubs, grasses and forbs. A decrease in conifer cover and rejuvenation of aspens could also increase water yield and create additional fire breaks in the project area east of the Greys River Road.
During this first phase of the project, about 400 acres of aspen with heavy conifer presence will be targeted for treatment. Over the next several years, 2,800 acres are expected to be treated. The project will eventually include prescribed burning of sagebrush and shrubland on southerly slopes. Cheatgrass control is another component of the initiative.
This project is a collaborative effort between USFS, WGFD, Greys River Forest Collaborative and other organizations. USFS, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Ricketts Conservation Foundation and Teton Interagency Fire will each lead monitoring efforts.
