Thunder Basin National Grassland

In spring of 2016, the Ruckelshaus Institute convened three Thunder Basin Collaborative Learning Workshops on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service. The workshops brought together the people who live in or have a direct interest in the Thunder Basin National Grassland for discussions about the past, present, and future of the grasslands. The goals was to ensure that all parties are working from the same information and to lay groundwork for future informed decision making about grasslands management.

Download the 2016 Thunder Basin Collaborative Learning Workshops final report.

These workshops are continuing in 2017. See below or visit the U.S. Forest Service's Thunder Basin Prairie Dog Management webpage for more information.

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2017 Collaborative Learning Workshops

The Douglas Ranger District of the Medicine-Bow Routt National Forests will continue offering Collaborative Learning Workshops through 2017 and 2018. These are open to the public, and all Thunder Basin National Grassland stakeholders are welcome. The workshops, facilitated by the Ruckelshaus Institute, will allow stakeholders, including the Forest Service, to continue learning about prairie dog colony management and other subjects. Information generated in the workshops will be used in the second TBNG collaborative effort, the Cooperative Working Group.

Dates and Locations	Meeting Information
Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 1-4 p.m. Weston County Senior Center Newcastle, Wyoming	Forest Service press release about the meeting Workshop agenda Report: Range-Wide Monitoring of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs in the United States Workshop notes
Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 1-4 p.m. Eastern Wyoming College Douglas, Wyoming	Forest Service press release about the meeting Workshop agenda Thunder Basin Prairie Ecosystem Association Presentation Workshop notes
Wednesday, October 11, 2017, morning Newcastle, Wyoming	Meeting notes Map: 2015-17 Maximum Prairie Dog Extent (DRAFT) USFS Accomplishments, June 2016-Oct 2017 Evaluation comments
Thursday, December 7, 2017, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. County Fire Training Center, 701 Larch St Gillette, Wyoming	Forest Service press release about the meeting Agenda Meeting notes USFS prairie dog update Casper Star-Tribune article Update on options Resolution on options Implementation table Final report

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2016 Collaborative Learning Workshops

Read press releases from the U.S. Forest Service about the 2016 January learning session, the March learning session, and the May learning session.

Dates and Locations	Topics
Thursday, January 28, 2016, 1-4 pm Multi-Purpose Room, Eastern Wyoming College Douglas, Wyoming	Learn about human relationships with the Thunder Basin National Grassland. Discuss history and values related to the grassland. Summary materials and presentations: Meeting summary notes Dr. Western's introductory presentation Bob Mountain's history talk
Wednesday, March 16, 2016, 1-4 pm Weston County Senior Center Newcastle, Wyoming	Learn about the natural conditions and dynamics on the grassland. Explore the most recent scientific research regarding the Thunder Basin National Grassland’s landscape and wildlife. Meeting agenda Meeting summary notes Dr. Western's introductory presentation Research in the Thunder Basin National Grassland
Thursday, May 19, 2016, 1-4 pm George Amos Memorial Building 412 South Gillette Avenue Gillette, Wyoming	The future of the grassland: What are the ecological, social and economic conditions that we desire for the Thunder Basin National Grassland? Meeting invitation Meeting agenda Meeting summary notes Dr. Western's presentation USFS Butler presentation