Navigating the could-be politicized landscape of migration corridor research and conservation

Wyoming mule deer, elk and pronghorn make epic migrations along ancient, intact migration corridors. Studying and conserving this natural heritage could be politicized – resource extraction and development drive the state's economy, and these corridors are not officially protected. Yet, the Wyoming Migration Initiative (WMI) has contributed to a state-wide culture embracing migration, a value shared by diverse stakeholders. WMI’s synergistic engagement and productive research group have resulted in discovery, on-going research, and widespread public awareness. This talk discusses: WMI’s social media guiding principles, 11,000+ Facebook followers with high engagement rates, topics fraught-but-worth-addressing, and in-person engagement efforts with stakeholders.