On April 27th, 2019, the Colorado State University (CSU) Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA), accompanied by the CSU chapters of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and The Wildlife Society, headed up to Walden, Colorado to perform a work service day on the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge. Together, we removed ¾ mile of old barbed wire fencing that was in the direct path of a large elk migration corridor. Along with removing this hazardous old fencing, we also outfitted 1.2 miles of fence with wildlife-friendly lay-down fence clips, allowing for staff to lower the top and raise the bottom wires with ease and thus making it easier for big game to cross under and over the fence during the migration seasons.
Thanks to everyone who came out and volunteered, wildlife now have safer access to resources as they move in and around the refuge. Work days such as this distilled in all of us a sense of accomplishment and pride. Our public lands give to us all year round whether we know it or not and it is important that we make an effort to take a little bit of time out of our busy lives and give back. We are all public land owners, and that comes with responsibility.