Wyoming

Ranchers, recreationists and other members of the public are invited to an open house May 24 at property in the Laramie Range that was recently bequeathed to the University of Wyoming.

The 320-acre parcel is 30 miles northwest of Wheatland in an area known as Fletcher Park. It was bequeathed to UW in 2003 by the late Col. William Rogers, who lived in Wheatland.

Public comments will be taken during the open house regarding potential uses of the land, said one of the organizers, Jim Freeburn, director of the UW Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle and the Torrington R&E Center.

"The property given to the university by Col. Rogers presents UW and the residents of Wyoming with a new and unique opportunity," Freeburn said. "Opportunities exist for a variety of research and educational activities including ecological studies of the area's timber, plants and animals, and research associated with livestock grazing and wildlife. The property is also an excellent location for outdoor youth educational efforts."

The Fletcher Park property is several miles southeast of Laramie Peak on the top of the drainage between Cottonwood and Fish creeks.

"From the high point of the property, you can see Elk Mountain to the southwest, Scottsbluff, Neb., to the southeast, and Glendo Reservoir to the northeast. The habitat is ponderosa pine and aspen with a shrub and grass understory. It supports big game, wild turkeys and other wildlife," Freeburn said.

There is a reservoir and several springs on the tract, which is surrounded on three sides by land managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

"Electricity is available on the site, which is a key for UW research efforts," he added. "At present, several UW faculty members have expressed interest in conducting research on the land. Personnel with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Forest Service have also expressed interest in activities on the property."

In addition to Freeburn, others involved in the management of the Fletcher Park property are Professor Steve Williams of the College of Agriculture's Department of Renewable Resources, and Dallas Mount, a UW Cooperative Extension Service educator for Platte, Goshen and Laramie counties.

"What I like about this location is that it offers a variety of forest types, open meadows and shrub lands. There are opportunities for interaction with the Forest Service that controls much of the land in the area. This would include management of resources such as water, timber and fire. We're going to start doing some work this summer on nitrogen fixation by an important shrub species that is prevalent on the site, antelope bitterbrush," Williams said.

A tour of the property, speeches and public comment will take place between 10:30 a.m. and noon, followed by a free barbecue lunch. Those attending are welcome to stay after lunch to visit with others and hike around the property.

Persons wishing to carpool to the site should be at the Platte County CES office in Wheatland by 8:30 a.m. the day of the open house.

Those traveling to the site on their own can exit Interstate 25 at mile marker 94 (El Rancho Exit) north of Wheatland. Go west on Fish Creek Road to where it meets the Fletcher Park Road. Turn right on Fletcher Park Road, travel approximately 1.3 miles past Camp Grace and turn north on Forest Development Road 643. Signs will be posted.

The road is rough, and pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles are advised.

For additional information, contact the Torrington Research and Extension Center at 307- 532-7126 or the Platte County CES office at 307-322-3667.

Date: 5/26/05

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