WDEQ Native Plants Project Sagebrush Planting Event Seeks Volunteers

deq.wyoming.gov

Published October 3rd, 2025

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) is seeking volunteers, specifically restoration ecologists and land stewardship professionals, to mentor students at its 2025 Native Plants Project Annual Sagebrush Planting Event. The event aims to provide hands-on ecological education and promote land stewardship among youth.

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What changed

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) is issuing a call for volunteers for its 2025 Native Plants Project Annual Sagebrush Planting Event, scheduled for October 7-9, 2025, near Jeffrey City, Wyoming. The agency is seeking restoration ecologists and land stewardship professionals to serve as mentors for middle school students, guiding them in sagebrush ecosystem education and hands-on land management activities.

Professionals interested in volunteering are asked to contact Josh Oakleaf or Ariel Nelson as soon as possible to RSVP. This notice is informational and does not impose new regulatory requirements or deadlines on regulated entities, but rather seeks participation in a stewardship initiative. The event is designed to foster environmental awareness and stewardship among the next generation.

What to do next

RSVP to volunteer for the sagebrush planting event by contacting Josh Oakleaf or Ariel Nelson.
Review event details regarding dates, times, location, and required personal items.

Source document (simplified)

October 3, 2025 - In Abandoned Mine Lands ‚ AML By kguille 0

Volunteers Needed for 2025 Native Plants Project Annual Sagebrush Planting Event

STATEWIDE, WYOMING – The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) is calling on restoration ecologists and land stewardship professionals to volunteer as mentors for its 2025 Native Plants Project Annual Sagebrush Planting Event. This three-day experiential learning opportunity is being held at the WDEQ-Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Day Loma Reclamation Project near Jeffrey City, Wyoming.

What to Expect:

Date: Tuesday – Thursday, October 7-9, 2025
Location: WDEQ-AML Day Loma Reclamation Project, near Jeffrey City, WY
Time: 7:45 AM – 3:30 PM (including travel from Lander)
On-Site Engagement: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Provided: Tools and planting supplies
Volunteers Should Bring: Layered clothing, sack lunch, plenty of water, sunscreen, hiking footwear, comfortable work gloves, and a positive attitude This year’s event welcomes Fremont County middle school students for a hands-on ecological education experience. We’re inviting restoration ecologists and other professionals to serve as mentors by guiding small groups, sharing insights about sagebrush ecosystems, and helping students connect classroom learning to real-world land management work.

Mentors will spark curiosity and foster stewardship in the next generation through informal Q&A, demonstrations, and working side-by-side in the field. Your mentorship and wisdom are greatly appreciated in cultivating the next generation of restoration ecologists and land stewards.

“I feel incredibly fortunate to inspire future stewards of the sagebrush steppe—a vital landscape that underpins Wyoming’s communities, economy, and wildlife,” said Josh Oakleaf, AML Project Manager & Vegetation Coordinator.

How to Sign Up:

Interested volunteers should RSVP as soon as possible, by contacting Josh Oakleaf at the WDEQ Lander Field Office: (307) 330-3107 / josh.oakleaf@wyo.gov or Ariel Nelson at (307) 438-5483 / arielnelson@appliedeco.org

To learn more about the AML Native Plants Project, including its mission, partners, and impact on the sagebrush ecosystem, please visit the ArcGIS Story Map available here on the WDEQ website.

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