The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wyoming have signed a memorandum of understanding that creates a partnership to conserve big game habitat in the state.

The agreement signed Oct. 17 by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon will provide funding for “key conservation programs for fiscal year 2023,” including funding for increased staffing and “streamlined program application processes for agricultural producers and landowners,” according to an Oct. 17 news release. Starting this fall, producers in the Wyoming pilot area can apply for conservation programs.

“Conserving private working lands and Tribal lands through voluntary, collaborative incentives not only empowers producers to address a range of natural resource concerns, but also helps them care for our nation’s most important wildlife habitats and corridors,” Vilsack said in the release. “We’re pleased to announce today’s agreement, which is the product of consultation and partnership with the state of Wyoming and local stakeholders. 

"This agreement will help create new and enhanced opportunities through USDA’s conservation programs to keep working lands working and give farmers, ranchers and forest landowners new opportunities to conserve wildlife and migration corridors,” Vilsack added, according to the release.

Gordon said Wyoming leads the U.S. in wildlife conservation, “particularly big game migration,” the release reported.

“We do that with strong landowner partnerships and recognition that habitat conservation can be done on multi-use lands,” Gordon said in the release. “Private landowners have long provided key habitat for wildlife across Wyoming. Offering voluntary funding opportunities to landowners to maintain this valuable space for wildlife is a recognition of their role in conservation.”