Bison reintroduced to rocky mountain arsenal national wildlife refuge in 2007 play a vital role in species conservation contributing significant genetic diversity as outlined in the department of…

This $700,000 Cooperative Agreement award, funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654), will support efforts to enhance the resilience of the bison population and grassland habitat at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado. The key initiatives include: 1) Installing 4.25 miles of fencing and solar-powered water infrastructure to expand the bison grazing areas, 2) Restoring 2,232 acres of grasslands using prescribed fire, herbicide treatment, and drought-tolerant reseeding, and 3) Rehabilitating the First Creek riparian corridor to improve water availability and reduce flood risks. These projects aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as habitat degradation, drought, invasive species, and disease, to sustain the refuge's bison population and its critical ecological and cultural contributions. The award will be implemented by the non-profit organization Friends of the Front Range Wildlife Refuges, in partnership with local stakeholders and tribal entities.

Bison reintroduced to rocky mountain arsenal national wildlife refuge in 2007 play a vital role in species conservation contributing significant genetic diversity as outlined in the department of the interior 2020 bison conservation initiative. However climate change threatens the sustainability of the bison herd through habitat degradation drought invasive species and disease risks. This project proposes to enhance the resilience of refuge grasslands and water resources through three key initiatives expanding grazing areas by installing 4.25 miles of fencing and solar powered water infrastructure restoring 2232 acres of grasslands using prescribed fire herbicide and reseeding with drought tolerant species and rehabilitating the first creek riparian corridor to improve water availability and reduce flood risks. Partnerships with local stakeholders and tribal entities will strengthen implementation and support broader conservation goals. Immediate funding is essential to sustain the refuge bison population and its critical ecological and cultural contributions amid a changing climate.