A massive wildlife project gets a major donation.
The Greater Yellowstone Coalition has donated $200 thousand dollars to the Dry Piney wildlife crossing project, a major effort to reduce the number of vehicle-wildlife collisions on the 17-mile stretch of US-189 between Big Piney and La Barge in Sublette County. Bob Budd, director of the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, says this significant donation from a private conservation organization brings Wyoming’s largest wildlife crossing initiative closer to fruition. On average, a wildlife-vehicle collision costs $5,000 even if there are no injuries or fatalities. The Dry Piney stretch was specifically chosen for this initiative due to the high number of incidents that have historically happened along this way, as its a popular wintering spot for mule deer.
While it’s a major commitment to a roadway in Sublette County, Director Budd says this project is the stepping stone toward progress in Park County and the entire state to save lives, money, and wildlife.
The money is added to an already significant fundraising amount. WYDOT received a $14.5 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant for the Dry Piney wildlife crossing project in 2019. The Wyoming Transportation Commission and the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission also both contributed $1.25 million for a total of $2.5 million for Dry Piney.
