Improving recreational experiences in the Worland Field Office with volunteers

WORLAND, Wyo. — The Bureau of Land Management Worland Field Office and volunteers from the community came together on Sept. 6 to restore recreational areas as part of a National Public Lands Day effort.

This year, BLM employees and volunteers improved and boosted recreational experiences for the public at the Wardell Harrington Reservoirs. Their focus was on improving shoreline habitat and cleaning trash and other discarded debris that were inhibiting fish habitat, anglers, and other recreational users.

The Wardell Harrington Reservoirs offer fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, and other recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The area is rich in history and provides an excellent opportunity for outdoor recreation and experiencing the joy of Wyoming public lands.

“We also really wanted to improve nesting structures for all bird species in the area,” said BLM Outdoor Recreation Planner Cullen Hardy. “We had some folks rebuild smaller bird boxes to replace the dilapidated remnants of previous nest boxes and are planning on completing future nesting projects.”

The four-hour long event saw ten participants, including eight community volunteer members and two BLM employees. “We’re incredibly grateful to the volunteers and BLM employees that dedicated their time to maintaining and restoring these multiple-use areas,” said BLM Worland Acting Field Manager Stacey Whitman Moore. “Managing public lands requires continuous attention, and focusing on improving wildlife habitat and visitor experience this year means the public can continue to enjoy these special places today and in the future.”

The Worland Field Office aims to hold a National Public Lands Day event each year. “This is my third year being involved with a National Public Lands Day effort out of Worland and it’s such a great experience for employees and volunteers to contribute towards restoring public lands,” said Hardy.

The BLM will continue to engage the community in future projects aimed at restoring and protecting public lands. For more information on volunteer opportunities and events, follow us on Facebook and X.