Collaborative Groups
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Thunder Basin National Grassland Cooperative Working Group
The Thunder Basin National Grassland Cooperative Working Group is a discretionary group, comprised of state, local, federal, and tribal governments, which provides a collaborative venue for sharing information about issues affecting land and resource management in and around the TBNG.
The Cooperative Working Group is an information gathering process, a forum for the free flow of information, and an opportunity to learn about plans, procedures, goals, and objectives of the Forest Service and other governments and agencies represented. In a case-by-case basis, the group may inform management activities and inform the general type, location, and sequence of management activities within administrative and cooperative action areas, engage and inform or promote collaborative efforts, or be used solely as an information gathering process.
Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) is a long-term science-based effort to assess and enhance aquatic and terrestrial habitats at a landscape scale in southwest Wyoming, while facilitating responsible development through local collaboration and partnerships. The WLCI is an interagency working group of partners that is beginning the process of establishing a much larger coalition of government and non-government organizations. Local Project Development Teams identify local issues that are important to the landscape and cooperatively create projects to address identified needs for local wildlife, habitat, and other resource issues. Each Local Project Development Team includes local biologists, range managers, conservation districts, landowners, county commissioners, and other interested parties. The WLCI has four teams that are located geographically.
Absarokas Working Group
The Absarokas Working Group strives to maintain, conserve, and enhance connected landscapes, wildlife habitat, and working lands within the Absarokas Priority Area (APA) using tools and financial assistance provided by the USDA-Wyoming Big Game Conservation Partnership Pilot Program (The Pilot) while providing the highest level of service, trust, and professionalism.
The group first convened in spring 2023 and now meets at least quarterly to share resources, knowledge, and strategies in support of this pilot project which brings robust dollars to the area for habitat leases, habitat restoration, and purchased conservation easements in recognition of the valuable wildlife habitat that private landowners provide.
Sage Grouse Local Working Groups
The eight Sage-Grouse Local Working Groups are comprised of state and federal agency representatives and other stakeholders with local interests such as agriculture, industry, and conservation. These groups work to facilitate and implement conservation plans that benefit the Greater Sage-Grouse, their sagebrush habitat, and other species that also use these habitats.
Sage Grouse Implementation Team (SGIT)
The Sage-Grouse Implementation Team (SGIT) is comprised of representatives from State and Federal agencies, industry, and non-governmental organizations. Governor Gordon has appointed the SGIT members, and they work collaboratively to protect the Greater Sage-Grouse under the State of Wyoming's Sage-Grouse Executive Order (2019-3).
The SGIT meets approximately six times a year to discuss current Sage Grouse-related issues under the direction of Chairman Bob Budd. The public is invited to attend these meetings.
