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Sagebrush landscape with a smokey sky.
A Warmer Wyoming Smoke hangs over Specimen Ridge Trail in Yellowstone National Park. © Kelly vanDellen/Shutterstock

Stories in Wyoming

What’s Next for a Hotter, Drier Wyoming

Amid drought and wildfire, there’s hope. Learn how steps we take now can protect our wild and working lands and safeguard our water supply.

In Wyoming, we know that our economy and way of life all depend on healthy land and water. But hotter, drier conditions are threatening those values. Communities across Wyoming are experiencing more frequent and intense droughts, heat waves and wildfires. People’s health, their family businesses and their ability to pass down their way of life to their children are at stake. 

When Wyomingites see the need for change, we make it happen. The practical steps we take now can protect our wild and working lands and safeguard our water supply.

Person on horseback riding through a sagebrush-covered hillside.
Hotter Temperatures We can take actions now to protect our way of life in Wyoming. © Zack Mason/TNC

Can We Talk Climate?

Here's some of the best, proven information to make talking about climate change easier.

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No Matter What We Call It, We All See It Happening

Have you personally experienced more wildfire smoke? Less water in the lakes or rivers you fish or boat on? A longer growing season with thirstier crops? 

You’re experiencing long-term weather changes—the kinds of changes researchers call climate change. And while that term has become politically loaded, the reality of these changes is apparent to many people who understand the land and the seasons.

Researchers agree our climate is changing. And Wyomingites do, too.

Recent polls show that 61% of Wyomingites think climate change is happening, and 86% believe that drought threatens their communities. Wyoming voters show strong bipartisan support for conservation, protecting fish and wildlife, and investing in better ways to store and distribute water.

Nature Is a Solution to a Hotter, Drier Future

Working with nature offers solutions that are good for people and nature. Natural solutions support rural communities, towns and industries, recreation and hunting opportunities, and fish and other wildlife.

Person walking in water near a grassy bank.
Water for People and Nature We must work together to preserve and restore Wyoming’s streams, rivers and wetlands. © TNC

Water

  • Restore streams, wetlands and forests to hold water for the hottest and driest times, reduce flood risks, and improve fish and wildlife habitat.
  • Improve aging irrigation infrastructure, replacing leaking canal systems and automating diversion structures, to help irrigators make their water go farther.
  • Support policy changes that allow water-rights holders greater flexibility to let their water be used by people, fish and wildlife downstream without being penalized.
  • Explore potential water banking programs in which water-rights holders can choose to “deposit” water rights for lease to other users. 
Horses in a dry field with smoke in the air.
Wildfires Smoke from a wildfire in Wyoming © Eivor Kuchta/Shutterstock

Lands

  • Invest in controlled burns, forest thinning and thoughtful wildfire management to reduce the risk of severe wildfires and protect communities.
  • Manage flammable invasive grasses and restore native plants to reduce grass fires that threaten wildlife and livestock.
  • Protect native wildlife and plants by identifying, conserving and connecting lands where plants and wildlife are most likely to thrive as the climate changes.
Coal on a metal structure.
Cleaner Energy Shifting to renewable sources of energy benefits nature and people in Wyoming. © PKProject/Shutterstock

Energy

  • Help renewable energy companies identify where to site projects where they have the least impact on wildlife and the greatest benefits to communities.

  • Support repurposing buildings and other infrastructure from closed coal mine operations for renewable energy.

  • Work with state and federal lawmakers on thoughtful legislation that incentivizes carbon emissions reductions while benefitting Wyoming’s economy and communities. 

 

How You Can Take Action

Flowers blooming in a field.
Wyoming Wildflowers A field of wildflowers blooming in Wyoming. © Scott Copeland

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