Project Titles:

• Irrigation System – Grasslands (FFS #R6MB)
• Replace Visitor Center Exhibits (FFS #R6BG)

State: Wyoming

Initial Project Description: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS, the Service) will use American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) funds for an improved irrigation system and new visitor center exhibits at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, Wyoming.

The irrigation expansion is part of a comprehensive plan to annually produce more high-quality standing forage on the refuge. The increased forage production will benefit the long-term health of wintering wildlife by dispersing concentrations of elk and bison, thus reducing the risk of disease transmission. It will reduce reliance on the refuge’s supplemental feeding program. The irrigation expansion will also allow for more efficient water use than the flood irrigation process currently in place. The refuge’s current irrigation system is made up of canals dating from early settlers in the late 1800s. The Service delayed the project for over ten years due to a lack of funding.

The Service will also use Recovery Act funds to bolster the displays in its visitor center. The refuge’s current displays are outdated, are faded, and often present an inconsistent message to visitors. The new display will integrate pieces of the older displays with newer components to enhance the visitor experience. Roughly 300,000 people will view the display annually.

The National Elk Refuge is home to 5,000 to 8,000 wintering elk; 46 other mammals, including bison; and nearly 175 species of birds. The 25,000-acre refuge has the world’s largest wintering concentration of elk. More than one million visitors come to the refuge each year.

October 2011 Project Update: The Service contracted Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction to replace the irrigation system at the National Elk Refuge. Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction completed the project in July 2011. The new irrigation system was operational and put into use spring 2011. According to Project Leader, Steve Kallin, “Preliminary utilization of the system indicates it will significantly increase forage production for wintering elk.”

Kallin added, “The K-Line System is the above-ground sprinkler system used. This project is currently the largest K-Line Irrigation System in the world.” The project created four irrigation operation positions over a four-month period.

The project to replace the visitor center exhibits is ongoing as of October 2011.

November 2011 Project Update: The Service contracted Formations, Inc. of Portland, Oregon to fabricate and install visitor center exhibits at the National Elk Refuge. In addition, the Service contracted Q Media Productions from Winter Garden, Florida to develop and install an audio tour for the exhibits.

Formations, Inc. subcontracted with a local company to obtain support for the installation of the exhibits, completed in July 2011. Q Media Productions completed the scripting and installation of the audio tour in October 2011.

The new exhibits use local photographs and thematic messages to educate visitors about the National Elk Refuge. Visitors can learn about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, elk behaviors and season patterns, wildlife viewing tips, and more. The panels also encourage visitors to spend time outdoors.

Want to learn more? Check out this collection of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service articles on the Recovery Act Projects at the National Elk Refuge, or visit the National Elk Refuge’s ARRA website!

Video: Recovery Act Project Creates Jobs at San Francisco Company and Benefits the National Elk Refuge
Watch the following video to learn more about this Recovery Act project!

Photos:

Feature Story: Recovery Act Project Creates Jobs at San Francisco Company and Benefits the National Elk Refuge

Press Release: New Jobs; San Francisco Firm Awarded $4.3 Million in Stimulus Funding for Irrigation Project at National Elk Refuge

Originally posted 09/16/2009
Updated 09/25/2009
Updated 12/08/2009
Updated 01/14/2010
Updated 03/10/2010
Updated 06/08/2010
Updated 06/16/2010
Updated 07/06/2010
Updated 10/07/2011
Updated 11/02/2011
Page Completed 11/03/2011