Conservation Projects

Completed Projects

Since 2013 the Vya Conservation District has financially assisted landowners with conservation projects designed to enhance rangeland health and protect valuable wildlife habitat. Summaries of some of our completed projects are listed below.

Windmill Repair

The top of this windmill blew off and was damaged by winter winds. Replacement with a solar system was cost prohibitive, so the landowner chose to repair it instead. This windmill produces water for livestock and local wildlife.

Stock and Wildlife Well Project

Completed in 2024, this stock and wildlife well project benefits Pronghorn antelope, Mule deer, wild horses, Golden eagles, Chukar and Sage grouse, Jack rabbits and other small mammals, as well as the sheep pictured here.

Indian Trail Well

This project replaced an old well that served a grazing management area in a Spring and wet meadow in Vya. Had this well not been replaced, the spring and adjacent rangeland in this area would have been heavily impacted. The well was deepened and a solar powered pump was added. VCD worked with Partners for Fish and Wildlife on this project.

Original Windmill and empty water tank

Solar Power Water System

The aim of this project was to provide an economical and carbon free method to pump water which provides for cattle in two different remote pastures. This project included moving an old shack to make room for the new water system.

Wildlife Friendly Boundary Fencing

A wildlife friendly boundary fence of over 7,500 feet long was erected within the Vya Conservation District boundaries with cost assistance from Vya CD. This fencing prevents cattle movement between two private properties and damage to BLM land.

Farm & Ranch Wildlife Friendly Fence Project

In 2019 we helped to fund this wildlife friendly fencing project on a 10 acre watering and holding pen in the Vya area. This fencing provided multiple benefits for future range maintenance, erosion control, wildlife access and cow/calf management.

Calcutta Ranch

Funded in 2013, this was one of our first projects. which replaced a 100- year-old pipeline. Vya funds assisted the landowner with the purchase of materials and the cost of labor.

Spring Development

This project consisted of using gravity to fill water troughs to allow for more efficient use of water and dispersal of livestock grazing. Wildlife in this area benefitted from the use of troughs with wildlife escape ramps.

Fencing

This project provided for fencing to allow newly seeded pasture a two-year rest before the introduction of livestock.

Meadow Development

By backfilling and seeding a local spring damaged by a washout, this project extended and repaired a meadow in the Vya area. This project was beneficial to wildlife, including Sage Grouse.