We propose to fund on-the-ground labor of crew(s) that will build structures that enhance, protect, or restoremesic habitats in the sagebrush landscape in the green river watershed of wyoming

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) awarded a $120,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (CFDA 15.631) to Trout Unlimited, Inc. to enhance and restore approximately 140 acres of wet meadow mesic habitat and 10 miles of stream within the sagebrush landscape of the Green River Watershed in Wyoming. The project will involve crews building Zeedyk rock structures and beaver dam analogs on both federal and private lands to improve mesic habitats and stream conditions. Trout Unlimited will partner with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and USFWS-Partners for Fish & Wildlife to provide planning, permitting, and oversight for the projects. The agreement has an award date of May 1, 2024 and an ultimate completion date of May 1, 2029.

Crews will primarily bebuilding zeedyk rock structures or beaver DAM analogs at appropriate sites. Past similar projects in southwestwyoming have been completed with permanent agency and NGO staff and volunteer labor. This proposal will greatly increase the pace of completing these types of projects. Based on estimates from recent southwest wyoming handbuilt restoration projects, this agreement enhance about 140 acres of wet meadow mesic habitat and 10 miles of stream in the sagebrush landscape. Estimated project landownership for proposed projects is 50% federal and 50%private. Trout unlimited, the nature conservancy, USFWS-partners for fish wildlife, sublette county conservation district, and other conservation partners will provide the project planning, permitting andoversight for the projects. Initial planned projects are on locations where partners have already visited, determined the sites are appropriate for these techniques, and have established relationships with the privatelandowner or land management agency. Wyoming partners for fish wildlife program biologists will work with TU, cooperating landowners, and other partners to write landowner agreements that will secure specific projectfunding for all private land projects under this cooperative agreement. Outcomes will be reported in acres ofwet meadow habitat enhanced protected and miles of stream enhanced.