Invasive annual grasses like ventenata and cheatgrass have become a serious threat to the health of grasslands across Sheridan County. At the SCLT Big Goose Natural Area (BGNA), we’re taking action to restore native vegetation and steward the land for livestock, wildlife, and future generations.
In 2023, SCLT partnered with the University of Wyoming Extension and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to implement a science-backed treatment plan using a product called Rejuvra. This herbicide was applied aerially by a local contractor to ensure precise, even coverage across the affected areas.
Funding for this work came through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a cost-share initiative that helps landowners and land managers improve conservation practices on working lands. This program plays a key role in reducing the spread of invasive grasses that deplete soil nutrients, increase wildfire risk, and outcompete native species critical to both wildlife and livestock.
The difference is easy to see in the first year following invasive grass treatment at the SCLT Big Goose Natural Area. On the right side of the hill, treated areas are full of lush, green grass while the untreated areas on the left side of the hill appear dry and brown from invasive grasses.
The BGNA project includes two treatments—one completed in 2023 and the next scheduled for 2026—with grazing deferments in subsequent years to allow native grasses to recover and reestablish.
“Invasive grasses crowd out native forage and dry out the land earlier in the season,” explained John Graves, SCLT Director of Conservation. “If left unchecked, they can drastically reduce the productivity of a ranch and increase fire danger. Treating them early helps preserve both the ecological health and economic value of the land.”
The difference is dramatic. In the first full year after application, the difference is striking, with deep, lush green grasses growing in the treated sites well into July, while dry, brown ventenata and cheatgrass remain in the untreated areas.
Interested in doing something similar on your land? SCLT encourages landowners to contact their local NRCS office to explore how to enroll in EQIP and access funding and support.
“The Big Goose Natural Area serves as a research and demonstration site so other landowners can see firsthand the positive impact stewardship projects like these can have on the landscape,” Graves concluded.
Want to see the progress yourself? Plan your visit to the SCLT Big Goose Natural Area here.
