At the beginning of September, we partnered with the Bureau of Land Management and some dedicated volunteers to gather at Strawberry Meadow, a vital stretch of habitat that supports sage grouse populations and serves as an important migration corridor for pronghorn. With shovels, rocks, and plenty of teamwork, volunteers spent two days constructing Zeedyk structures—simple but powerful tools that help heal landscapes and keep water where it belongs.
Why Strawberry Meadow Matters
Strawberry Meadow is more than just a beautiful piece of country. It’s a living link in the chain of Wyoming’s wildlife habitats:
-
Sage grouse rely on the meadow’s open spaces for nesting and brood-rearing.
-
Pronghorn travel through this corridor as part of their seasonal migration, one of the longest large-mammal migrations in North America.
-
Livestock also benefit from the water and forage improvements these projects provide, keeping the meadow healthy for both wildlife and working lands.
Zeedyk Structures
Volunteers constructed Zeedyk structures, which are low-tech, rock formations built in drainages to slow down water, spread it across the meadow, and trap sediment. Over time, these structures:
-
Rebuild soil health
-
Create pockets of green forage
-
Provide more consistent water for wildlife and livestock
In other words, each structure is a small investment with a big, long-term payoff for habitat.
What’s Next
Thanks to the hard work of past BLM workdays and our volunteers, Strawberry Meadow is already on a healthier path—but there’s plenty more to do. We’re looking forward to hosting more habitat days next summer to build on this momentum and ensure this critical meadow can continue supporting Wyoming’s wildlife and ranching heritage.
Stay tuned for next year’s volunteer opportunities, and thank you to everyone who came out to make a difference for Wyoming’s wild places!
Together, we’re keeping Wyoming wild, working, and worth protecting.
