Protecting Wildlife in Teton County, Idaho and Wyoming
Blurred Boundaries between Teton County Idaho and Wyoming
Migrating wildlife do not recognize human-imposed boundaries.
Did you know Teton County, Idaho, has a Wildlife Advisory Committee appointed by the County Commission? Their role is to recommend policies that protect and restore fish and wildlife populations, along with their habitats. The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, experts in wildlife conservation, serves on this committee.
But here’s something else you might not know: Teton County, Idaho, and Teton County, Wyoming, share more than just borders – they share wildlife. Idaho’s wintering mule deer head to Wyoming in the summer, and Wyoming’s elusive wolverines roam the mountains and valleys of eastern Idaho. Moose frequently cross our state lines, oblivious to human-imposed boundaries, and birds call both states home. The connection between our ecosystems is clear.
Why does this matter?
Why does this matter? Because what Idaho does to protect wildlife has a direct impact on Wyoming. In 2022, one of the Wildlife Advisory Committee’s key tasks was reviewing the Natural Resources Overlay, a tool designed to conserve wildlife habitat by guiding development away from critical areas on private land.
October 18, 2024
On October 18th, the Wildlife Advisory Committee will present recommendations to update the Natural Resources Overlay and its underlying code. These updates are grounded in scientific research and data from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Teton Regional Land Trust. This will be the first update since 2006.
With the valley’s agricultural history and substantial private land, development in Teton County, Idaho, is on the rise. Unfortunately, wildlife populations are concomitantly decreasing, and unplanned growth risks further loss. Some community members have voiced concerns about how development rights may be impacted by these updates, but these changes simply help guide development away from the most critical wildlife areas, without affecting zoning of land.
Be a Voice for Wildlife
If you want to be part of this important conversation, join the public meeting on Friday, September 20th, at 2:30 PM. Written comments to the Teton County Commissioners are valuable, but your presence, in person or on Zoom, will make an even bigger impact.
For more information on the Wildlife Advisory Committee, local wildlife, or the proposed updates to the Natural Resources Overlay and development code, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. Resources on this topic can be found here, in the county’s “Natural Resource Overlay (NRO) Revision” dropdown menu.
How you can help protect Wildlife:
- Written comments are due Friday September 13th by 5 pm. Email comments to pz@tetoncountyidaho.gov.
- Zoom into the meeting on Friday September 20th at 2:30 PM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81854768477 Meeting ID: 818 5476 8477
- Attend the meeting and comment in person at the Board of County Commissioners’ meeting room at the Driggs County Courthouse on September 20th at 2:30.
