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RIVERTON, Wyo. – In the spirit of shared conservation stewardship on public land, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) collaborated for the second year with Lander Middle School and other partners to plant sagebrush seedlings in a reclaimed mine site in the Gas Hills Uranium Mining District east of Riverton.

The multi-year project aims to restore a natural sagebrush steppe environment on previously reclaimed mine lands where sagebrush was not re-established. This year, 1,200 seedlings were planted by Lander Middle School science students and partners over two days.

“This project is not only an opportunity to restore sagebrush habitat, but an educational opportunity for budding science students to interact with BLM specialists in a positive and impactful manner,” said Gina Clingerman, archaeologist with the BLM Wyoming Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Program and coordinator of the sagebrush planting project.

Before the planting days, Clingerman and Don Newton, project manager with Wyoming DEQ–AML Division, visited sixth–eighth grade science classes to discuss the importance of the sagebrush steppe ecosystem, what is impacting that ecosystem, and what species depend on the sagebrush steppe ecosystem for survival. After practicing the techniques needed to plant sagebrush seedlings, the students were ready for the field.

"The sagebrush planting allowed students to participate in a real science experience with people who work in science-related fields of study,” said Gayla Hammer, Lander Middle School sixth grade science teacher. “The adults spent time visiting with the students, which provided the students time to ask questions about their jobs."

Don Newton thought the students did a magnificent job planting sagebrush seedlings this year. “For many of them, it was their second year planting and their skills were very evident,” said Newton. “They were excited to see how well the sagebrush that was planted last year is doing.”

The sagebrush planting is part of the Abandoned Mine Lands Native Plants Project (AML NP²)—the brainchild of the BLM Wyoming AML Program, the Wyoming DEQ–AML Division, and the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. In addition, several partners support the ongoing project including The Nature Conservancy, Fremont County Weed and Pest, Popo Agie Conservation District, Wyoming Wildlife Federation and the Muley Fanatic Foundation. Each partner has a unique viewpoint and expertise it brings to this project.

The plan is to continue yearly plantings, which create different age classes of sagebrush across the landscape.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the students and for us to see the nuances of the sagebrush sea that seemingly surrounds us,” said Clingerman. “The truth of the matter is that the sagebrush steppe is a fragile ecosystem that over 400 species depend upon for food and shelter.”