Returning to the West

In August, staff members Eric Lindquist, Matt Hogan, and Klaus Friedli completed draft map review fieldwork for the most recent Wyoming NWI update project. The trip lasted 10 days, conducting field verification and collecting photos in the project area. The trip brought us to interesting towns such as Ten Sleep, Cody, Lander, and Dubois. Klaus’s botany and plant identification skills made it easier to identify wetland indicator species during a particularly dry season. The project area encompasses multiple ecoregions including some of the following: Rolling Sagebrush Steppe, Black Hills Plateau, Granitic Subalpine Zone, Mid-Elevation Forest and Scrublands, and Powder River Basin. The field crew was able to collect data on the fly using data collection iOS applications from ESRI along with a Toughbook displaying multiple collateral datasets. The team has solidified their knowledge of wetland mapping in Wyoming after completing this third round of fieldwork in the state over the last several years. This project is set to be completed and delivered in 2023.