The East Yellowstone Collaborative and Partners are hosting the second annual Weeds, Wildlands, and More! ag expo August 7th from 4-7pm at the Cody Auditorium in Cody, WY. The goal of the event is to connect landowners and community members to land-related resources that steward landscapes, support working lands, wildlife, native plants, and more. There will be door prizes (local beef!) and refreshments for all.
Originally designed to help connect many of Park County’s excellent stewardship resources with an interested public, the event is growing more eclectic this year. “Good stewardship of the land creates great wildlife habitat, quality products to eat and drink, and an awesome place to live,” said Laura Bell, event organizer and facilitator of the East Yellowstone Collaborative.
The event brings together groups, experts, and resources with the primary goal of helping people help the land. Groups attending include: Absaroka Fence Initiative, Beyond Yellowstone Program, Big Horn Citizens for Economic Development, BLM, Cad’s Farm Beef, Cody Active Transportation, Cody Cattlewomen, Conservation and Irrigation Districts, East Yellowstone Collaborative, Farm Services Agency, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Ishawooa Mesa Ranch, Master Gardeners, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nature Conservancy, Park County Open Lands, Park County Weed and Pest, Pitchfork Ranch, Powell Economic Partnership, Rails to Trails, Shoshone National Forest, Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, UW Extension, Western Landowners Alliance, Wyoming Game and Fish, Wyoming Grazing Lands Association, and Wyoming Stockgrowers Land Trust. “Good stewardship of land, healthy wildlife, and good food from the land go hand in hand,” says Bell.
“We get calls every day from small landowners needing help controlling invasive weeds and wanting to learn how to be more productive with their land”, said Ann Trosper, Powell Clarks Fork Conservation District ED. “This event is a new approach to supporting people with land issues, and I want them to know that we can help deploy resources and tools that address a range of issues like irrigation water, weeds, and zero-scaping”, she went on to say.
Weeds, Wildlands, and More! is open to everyone. Visitors are encouraged to drop in anytime between four and seven to explore tables and enjoy snacks and a cash bar. Door prizes, including some local ranch beef, will be awarded! “No formal presentations are planned, but there will be lots of tables, good conversations, and socializing for everyone,” said Laura Bell.
