Wyoming’s greatest natural resource doesn’t lie beneath the earth. Sure, those minerals provide for the livelihoods of many residents across Wyoming, but when someone mentions our state to another person, the image that comes to mind is not of a miner or the oil fields.
Wyoming’s greatest natural resource is its wildlife. When people think about Wyoming, they think about the abundance of wildlife that can be spotted throughout the state, from Yellowstone to Devil’s Tower, Adobe Town to Curt Gowdy State Park. One of the main reasons people come to Wyoming is to see its wildlife in its natural habitat.
This is the reason why we support House Bill 39 Rep. Stan Blake, has introduced to the Wyoming Legislature. The bill, which has also garnered support from the Muley Fantatics Foundation, would provide funding for conservation efforts to help prevent conflicts between vehicles and migrating animals. The funding would come from the purchase of special license plates, where the additional fees would go to an account to help provide for migratory crossings and fencing to keep animals from straying onto the state’s highways. The funding method is relatively painless and a way for Wyoming’s outdoor enthusiast to have some skin in the game when it comes to protecting Wyoming wildlife.
We believe Green River’s residents should support this bill and contact members of both sides of the Wyoming Legislature to voice that support. What’s important is to not address the entire legislative body in part of a form email because, as Blake said, legislators tend to ignore those kinds of mass communications. Residents who want to push for this should contact legislators individually and send a personalized message of support regarding the bill. A few local legislators should be included in that list as well. While Blake and Sen. John Hastert, are listed as sponsors and Rep John Freeman, has voiced support for the bill, other Sweetwater County legislators, Rep. Joann Dayton, Rep. Clark Stith and Sen. Liisa Anselmi-Dalton, should be contacted for their support as well.
Wyoming’s wildlife should be protected and this method of fundraising is the best way of ensuring that protection without asking for more legislative funding at a time when legislators are seeking to cut spending.
After all, the last thing anyone wants to see while traveling is the sight of an animal carcass on the side of the road.
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