USDA Forest Service Roadless Rule Repeal

The US Forest Service proposes to rescind a 25-year-old rule that protects 9.7 million acres of national forest lands in Wyoming from road-building and timber harvest. You have an opportunity to comment on this proposal by October 6th.

The Issue

Of the 9.7 million acres of national forests and grasslands in Wyoming, one-third (3.2 million acres) is managed as Inventoried Roadless Areas. These 110 roadless areas are found on all national forests in the state. Across the U.S. states and territories, nearly 45 million acres are managed as Inventoried Roadless Areas. Inventoried Roadless Areas are lands that lack roads and that may be suitable for management as wilderness areas or other non-standard management areas. Their management is regulated by the Forest Service’s 2001 Roadless Rule. Opponents of the Roadless Rule object to limitations on the economies of communities near national forests, and to the danger of uncontrolled wildfires. Proponents cite the benefits to fisheries, wildlife habitat, biological diversity, and dispersed recreation. In August, the Forest Service proposed a new rule that would rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. According to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement that accompanies this newly proposed rule, road-building, logging, and motorized recreation will increase in Inventoried Roadless Areas, although the exact effects are uncertain.

Background

The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule was promulgated mainly to control the amount of road-building in undeveloped areas by the Forest Service, which manages a road system with more miles than the US Interstate Highway System. The main rational was to minimize damage from road construction and maintenance and from automobile traffic, which degrade soils, water quality, and habitat for native plants and animals. In addition, the Roadless Rule expands the system of protected lands beyond the wilderness areas, National Parks, and preserves that protect rugged, beautiful, high-elevation areas that are difficult to develop, but that poorly represent mid-elevation ecosystems. The Roadless Rule limits but does not prevent multiple uses of roadless areas. It does not completely prohibit road construction or timber harvesting. Rather, it allows limited developments that address public health and safety, outstanding rights, mineral leases, resource damage, and stewardship.

The Roadless Rule has been controversial since its adoption. Proponents cite the benefits to undeveloped fisheries and wildlife habitat, biological diversity, and dispersed recreation. Opponents object to limitations on road building and timber harvesting that benefit economies in towns near national forests. With the increase in wildfires in recent years, opponents have especially emphasized the need for roads and logging to protect communities. The relationship between wildfires and roadless areas is not straightforward, though: data from across the U.S. and from Wyoming show that fires are more likely to start in roaded areas than in roadless areas, but fires in roaded areas are (on average) slightly smaller and are less likely to grow into large fires. Moreover, proponents of keeping the Roadless Rule point out that it allows local managers to implement developments that reduce wildfire risk.

What You Can Do

NOTE: The deadline for either of these steps is the end of the day, Tuesday, October 6th. (The deadline for comments was originally September 21st, but it has been extended to October 6th.)

Review the National Audubon Society’s alert and sign onto Audubon’s letter to the Forest Service, urging that the 2001 Roadless Rule NOT be rescinded.

Submit your own comment through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Points that you might make in your comment are: roadless areas, protected by the Roadless Rule, are important habitat for native plants and animals; the Roadless Rule allows local Forest Service managers flexibility to implement projects to reduce wildfire danger and protect communities; it is not at all clear that allowing roads in roadless areas will reduce wildfire risk.

You can read more about this issue here:

Forest Service Roadless Area webpage
Federal Register announcement of the newly proposed rule

Field Trip Report: Laramie River Greenbelt – 26 Sep 2026

Our homecoming parade took place along the northern section of the Laramie River Greenbelt trail. Definitely migrant birds around but not quite a parade of songbirds. Ruby-crowned Kinglets were common, with a smattering of Wilson’s, Yellow-rumped, and Orange-crowned Warblers. We were alerted to a call of a Greater Yellowlegs, which we later found feeding in the river. Raptors were the stars of the morning. We had good looks at an adult Bald Eagle, a bathing Cooper’s Hawk, a young Northern Harrier, a hoovering American Kestrel, and, to our surprise, a juvenile and adult Broad-winged Hawk. A calling Red-tailed Hawk, and Turkey Vultures riding the thermals rounded out the raptor list. A nice fall morning, ending with 32 species seen. Photos by Liz Young (Cooper's Hawk on right, Broad-winged Hawk on left). [Brad andres]

Field Trip Report: Wyoming Hereford Ranch - 12 September 2026

As we pulled into the ranch entrance just east of Cheyenne, we immediately spied three songbirds lined up on a fence: a White-crowned Sparrow, House Wren, and Lincoln’s Sparrow. A good start for our field trip to the Wyoming Hereford Ranch (WHR)! As we parked and checked out the office area, we were “serenaded” by a sizeable flock of blackbirds and starlings, including several Yellow-headed Blackbirds. As we made our way along the stream, we flushed three Wood Ducks. Wilson’s Warblers were everywhere, but we only observed three other warbler species during the morning. We were treated to both Summer and Western Tanagers and were surprised by small flocks of Cassin’s Finches and Evening Grosbeaks. Our last bird before leaving the ranch was a quick look at a Cassin’s Vireo. We made a quick stop at WHR Reservoir #1 and were not disappointed. Besides a host of ducks, we found two Caspian Terns and two Franklin’s Gulls. A lone Snowy Egret huddled among American White Pelicans and Great Blue Herons. We had a nice mix of nine shorebird species, including Stilt Sandpipers, a Sanderling, and a Pectoral Sandpiper. As we finished up the morning at noon, we had tallied 78 species. Summer Tanager: Melissa Zieschang/ Audubon Photography Awards. Caspian Tern photo: David Belles/Audubon Photography Awards. [Brad Andres]

First Street Plaza Habitat Hero Partnership

Laramie’s 1st Street Plaza (1st and Grand) is a popular gathering spot for both residents and visitors, and Laramie Audubon often uses this location as a meeting point for field trips. Earlier this summer, Laramie Audubon’s Habitat Hero committee began working with the Laramie Main Street Alliance (Downtown Laramie) and the City of Laramie to enhance the Plaza’s gardens to better benefit birds and pollinators and provide an example of what can be accomplished in backyards in Laramie and beyond. The committee applied for, and received, a grant from the Laramie Garden Club to plant additional native perennials in the existing, appealing garden space. Laramie Audubon volunteers worked hard to add elements that will attract birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators and have been busy watering, weeding, and adding name tags for the plants. Working with the University of Wyoming’s pollinator initiative and Roberta Harper-McIntosh, educational information has been added to the Plaza’s kiosk, including a printed poster and digital display.
 In partnership with Audubon Rockies, the 1st Street Plaza is now designated as a Habitat Hero Demonstration Garden. This new partnership with Downtown Laramie and the City has been both rewarding and fun. On August 6, the partners hosted a “Birds & Brews” event, with over forty people in attendance, to celebrate the garden and the partnership. We welcome everyone to stop downtown and see the efforts at the 1st Street Plaza. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped build this partnership. [Heather Johnson]

Audubon's Conservation Ranching Program

Living in a state where cattle are three times more abundant than people, we understand the importance of cattle ranching to the “Cowboy State”. However, did you know that National Audubon has a Conservation Ranching Program? The purpose of the program is to “bend the curve” of declining grassland bird populations in partnership with farmers and ranchers. Obligate grassland birds have declined by 43% over the last 50 years, and most grassland birds inhabit privately owned land.Audubon works with farmers and ranchers to implement regenerative grazing and habitat management practices that restore the structure and diversity of grasslands that birds need to survive, while strengthening the productivity and resilience of grass-based agricultural operations. Landowners voluntarily enroll in the program. and when they meet requirements centering on habitat management, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare, they earn the Audubon Bird-Friendly Land certification. Grassland birds that benefit from the program include Long-billed Curlew, Thick-billed Longspur, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Lark Bunting, all Wyoming Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Nationwide, about 150 ranches and nearly 4.5 million acres have earned status as Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly Land. Within the Audubon Rockies region (Wyoming, Utah, Colorado) there are 13 Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly ranches, totaling 545,000 acres. Each year an Audubon Rockies team monitors bird populations on certified ranches to ensure ranches meet the bird-friendly requirements. In April 2026, National Audubon was awarded $4 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, to expand bird-friendly ranching practices across the Central Grasslands, which includes eastern Wyoming. In the next three years, Audubon will enroll 32 new ranches, and another 500,000 acres, into the Conservation Ranching Program.

Here in Laramie, we have the opportunity to support the Conservation Ranching program and a Wyoming Audubon-certified ranch. Big Hollow Food Coop (119 South 1st Street) carries Sagebrush Beef, which is Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly, natural, 100% grass-fed, and free-range. The Bird-Friendly seal is posted on the freezer door. Beef is also available through the ranch’s website, with deliveries made to Laramie in April, November, and December (check with the ranch for details). The cattle are raised on the Reed Ranch, located in east central Wyoming. The Reed Ranch is a charter member of the Thunder Basin Grasslands Prairie Ecosystem Association and is committed to conservation and sustainability — doing the best for their environment while balancing the survival needs of the ranch. More information on Audubon’s Conservation Ranching Program can be found here. [Brad Andres]

Field Trip Report: Laramie Plains Lakes - 16 August 2026

We had a beautiful, windless morning searching for shorebirds on Laramie Plains lakes. Starting at Blake’s Pond, we were welcomed by Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, American Avocets, and several Wilson’s Snipe and Killdeer. Western Wood-Pewees were heard in the nearby cottonwoods, and a Northern Yellow Warbler gave us a quick view perching on a fence wire. Swallows were still common, and we were able to pick out Bank, Tree, and Barn. On the return trip, two White-faced Ibis were observed foraging in the pond. On to Gelatt Lake, which had a fair number of shorebirds and good species diversity, including Baird’s, Least, Semipalmated, Western and Stilt Sandpipers. We also added Willets and Wilson’s Phalaropes for the morning and were treated to brief glimpses of Soras. The shorebirds were frequently flushed by a hunting Northern Harrier. Twin Buttes Lake was our last stop. Although shorebirds were scarce, we added a few waterbirds including Great Blue Heron, Eared Grebe, and American Coot. Several Bald Eagles were on patrol for prairie dogs, and we got great views of the local Swift Fox family. We got quick looks at young Lark Buntings and Vesper Sparrows before heading back to Laramie. Overall, we observed 52 species during the morning excursion, including 12 shorebird species. A list of the bird species seen is provided here. Participant and Stilt Sandpiper photos by Heather Johnson. [Brad Andres]

Field Trip Report: Wyoming Hereford Ranch - 17 May 2026

As we drove east from Laramie, the weather signaled that perhaps we were misguided for taking a field trip to Wyoming Hereford Ranch (WHR). However, we were immediately rewarded with numerous warblers, Swainson’s Thrushes, and Gray Catbirds on our arrival. As we made our way along Crow Creek, we were able to get looks at an American Redstart, a young male Summer Tanager, and lots of singing Northern Yellow Warblers. We searched for and found the previously reported Tennessee Warbler. After landbirds at the Ranch, we found some good waterbirds at WHR Reservoir #1, including Red-necked Phalaropes. Our final stop was to view the Black-crowned Night Heron colony, busy with nest-building, at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. We ended the day with 74 species, which included eight warbler species. Phalarope photo by Tim Bowman. Tennessee Warbler by Ben Cvengros/ Audubon Photography Awards. [Brad Andres]

Small Grants: Spring 2026 Awards Announced

Laramie Audubon Spring 2026 Small Grants program was a great success with a totalof seven grant proposals being submitted. Our grants committee selected one research and one out research proposal for our present round of funding. Collin M. Porter was the recipient of the 2026 Spring Laramie Audubon research grant. Collin is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Zoology & Physiology, Program in Ecology and Evolution, at the University of Wyoming. His research topic is “Migration, seasonal movement, and climate adaptation of Intermountain West Graycrowned Rosy-Finches (Leucosticte tephrocotis tephrocotis)”. Collin states “Alpine ecosystems are sensitive to the effects of climate change and habitat loss, which threaten biodiversity and ecological stability. Warming temperatures and disturbances to mountaintop snowpack pose a particular challenge for high-elevation species. In response to climate warming, upward range shifts are predicted for many alpine bird species”. As the rosy-finch is the highest elevation nesting songbird with little known about its “migratory patterns and site fidelity among breeding and wintering populations”. “Uncovering the precise movement trajectories and elevational shifts undertaken by alpine breeders throughout the full annual cycle is critical for assessing how populations will respond to predicted climate change effects when paired with genomic divergence among distinct populations.” Collin will trap 42 individuals from three distinct wintering populations and after taking genomic samples from each bird a transmitter will be attached to track the birds during his multiyear research. He expects “data will reveal distinct migratory routes and stopover sites for each wintering population and link breeding and wintering sites. Specifically, we predict that populations will exhibit ‘chain migration associated with latitude, wherein the southernmost wintering populations (e.g., in the Sandia Mountains of NM) will migrate to the southernmost portion of the breeding range (e.g., the Northern Rocky Mountains of southern Canada) while more northern wintering populations (e.g., in the Bighorn Mountains of WY) will migrate to northern breeding sites (e.g., the Brooks Range of Alaska”. In addition, numerous other topics will be studied including elevational shift due to climate change.

The 2026 Spring Laramie Audubon outreach grant recipient was submitted by Michelle Weschler. The grant titled “Junior Entomologist Program: Understanding and challenging perceptions of insects to foster environmental stewardship in children”. Michelle is an Assistant Research Scientist, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (WYNDD), University of Wyoming. The grant will continue the work of Nina Crawford, PhD student at the University of Wyoming, who is working at Jewel Cave east of New Castle, Wyoming, in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Crawford has been studying how environmental and anthropogenic influences affect insect pollinators in the area of the Black Hills. The study also looks at how local bird populations interact with the insect populations. The outreach grant will help fund a workbook for the Junior Entomologist program that will “prompt participants to consider their perception of insects, teach them about various insects and their ‘jobs’ in the environment, and reinforce learning by asking them to draw an insect and answer questions about what they learned.” The booklet will accompany displays of pinned insects that can be found in the Black Hills ecosystems and a fact sheet about the insects on display. “With consent from participants, the drawings will then be incorporated into an art exhibition taking place within the Berry Biodiversity Center on the University of Wyoming campus this fall focused on invertebrate conservation.”

The Laramie Audubon Small Grants committee has previously awarded up to four grants per year divided between two (spring and fall) grant submission periods. As Laramie Audubon has added additional projects or opportunities to our members and the greater public, the limited funds of our organization have been under strain. Our Board of Directors has decided to reduce the number of grants dispersed by half. The Small Grants committee has awarded two grants during our Spring award period, and we will not be accepting grant additional grant submittals for the remainder of 2026. [Lisa Cox]

Kids & Families Program: Saturday, April 25, 2026

Earth Day Returns!

LaPrele Park. Meet 9:00 am at the picnic shelter at 22nd Street and Spring Creek Drive. Nature bingo, cloud clay sculpting, seed planting in recycled pots, and snacks. Photo by Brad Andres.

Evening Program: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

The Mysterious and Vital World of Microfungi

Dr Dorothy Tuthill, former Associate Director and K-12 Coordinator at the University of Wyoming's Biodiversity Institute, will share her enthusiasm for role microfungi play in our world. The program will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, 107 South 7th St., Laramie. Social time and refreshments at 6:30 pm, program at 7:00 pm.

Field Trip Report: Spring Birding with Seniors on the Go

 A hardy group of 6 came out to Curt Gowdy State Park this morning for our quarterly birding hike with Eppson Center for Seniors Seniors on the Go. Despite bitter wind and snow, we hiked the Shoreline Trail to Granite Point and back, observing American crows, robins, Canada geese, mallard ducks, northern flickers, magpies, several pair of killdeer and a pair of common mergansers, along with spring flowers dusted in snow. Our next birding trek with SOTG will take place July 17.

Field Trip: Saturday, April 4, 2026

Greater Sage-Grouse Lek

We will caravan to a lek north of Laramie to watch and listen as the male grouse boom and strut. This event is on private property only accessible during special events authorized by the landowner. We will depart from the parking lot on the east side of the Eppson Center (1560 N. 3rd Street) at 5:30 am sharp! Greater Sage-Grouse photo by Evan Barrientos, Audubon Rockies.