“My Wild Land” highlights the challenges of ranching families

The University of Wyoming reports that a new documentary series highlights Wyoming ranching families that have gone to exceptional lengths to preserve Western ranching and steward big-game populations that depend on working lands.

According to UW, from 2000-2020, Wyoming’s total resident population grew by 17%. While most of Wyoming’s population growth takes place in urban areas, the footprint of rural housing development can have a major effect on migratory big game.

The three-part series, “My Wild Land,” features ranches from across Wyoming: the Terry Creek Ranch near Laramie, the Bischoff Ranch near Lovell and the Hellyer family ranch near Lander. The series, presented by Muley Fanatic Foundation with support from the outdoor equipment company Maven and produced by the Wyoming Migration Initiative (WMI) at the University of Wyoming, was launched in response to the rapid residential growth of Western states in recent years and subsequent loss of wildlife habitat.

Each film shares the unique perspective of the landowners; their relationship to the land; and the challenges they’ve faced while maintaining cattle operations and promoting wildlife habitat.

“The ranchers and the lessees of these properties are the ones that are taking care of the land — they’re the ones out there doing the waterline projects and the fencing projects,” manager of the Bischoff Ranch and one of the film series’ featured ranchers, Tyrell Bischoff said.

“Many of Wyoming’s wildlife move across a mix of public and private ranchlands,” co-producer of the film series and a WMI associate research scientist Emily Reed said. “The work of ranchers to steward their lands and maintain connected habitats is critical for wildlife populations, and we wanted to help tell that story.”

“My Wild Land” will be screened on the following dates and locations:

Jackson – Thursday, Sept. 1, 6 p.m., Teton County Library. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, Greater Yellowstone Coalition and WMI.

Laramie – Thursday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m., Gryphon Theatre. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Hosted by Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust and WMI.

Lander – Thursday, Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m., Lander Community and Convention Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. Hosted by Wyoming Wildlife Federation and WMI.

Each event is free and open to the public and will include a free raffle; a question-and-answer session with ranchers and/or other partners working to maintain Wyoming’s working lands; and a social hour with free food and beverages. The screenings are made possible by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Muley Fanatic Foundation.

To view the film trailers, click here.