VICTORY FOR THE COLORADO RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT!

The Colorado River cutthroat trout, which has declined by over 95% throughout its range in southern and western Wyoming, western Colorado, and eastern Utah, is one step closer to protection under the Endangered Species Act, a safety net for fish and wildlife on the brink of extinction. 

In 2000, BCA called upon the Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the imperiled trout because of habitat loss, the threat of nonnative fish, and severe population declines. The Fish and Wildlife Service rejected this request in 2004, but was rebuffed in federal court in September as a result of a lawsuit filed by BCA and our partners, including Center for Biological Diversity. 

JOIN US FOR THE RED DESERT PHOTO SHOW THIS WEEKEND

Please join BCA as we hold our Third Annual Red Desert Photo Show this Friday and Saturday at Coal Creek Coffee on Grand Avenue in downtown Laramie. Judging will occur during the Gallery Walk at 5 p.m. this Friday, October 6; photos will be on display through Saturday. Enjoy the beauty of the Red Desert through the eyes of some of the region's most talented photographers, and take the opportunity to stock up on unique Wyoming gifts for the holidays. From 50%-100% of the proceeds from the sale of artwork will benefit BCA's Red Desert protection campaign. We hope to see you there!

WATER QUALITY INDICATOR SNAIL DENIED PROTECTION

The Jackson Lake springsnail, an indicator of clean water that has declined by over 90%, is at great risk of extinction as a result of the Fish and Wildlife Service's decision not to protect it under the Endangered Species Act. BCA petitioned to protect the snail, which inhabits Jackson Lake, in 2004 because of habitat loss and degradation. The invasive New Zealand mudsnail was introduced to the Jackson Lake area in the 1990's and has quickly expanded its population, displacing native fish and wildlife, including the Jackson Lake springsnail. As an indicator of clean water, the decline of the springsnail needs to be reversed. 

PROTECT PRAIRIE DOGS AND KINNEY RIM ROADLESS

The Bureau of Land Management has proposed to allow the drilling of 4,200 wells in the southwestern Red Desert, a density the same as the disastrous Jonah Field. A prairie dog complex potentially suitable for black-footed ferret reintroduction, the Cherokee historic trail, and some 30,000 acres of the Kinney Rim citizens' proposed wilderness are likely to be damaged.

Remember to send your comments on the Hiawatha project by October 20th to the Rock Springs Bureau of Land Management. Review the full alert at http://www.voiceforthewild.org/general/alerts/a27september06KinneyRim.html.

MEET WEB GURUS BERNADETTE AND STAN OF BMT DESIGN

Bernadette Van Der Vliet and Stan Skrabut met in Holland in the US Air Force, and after traveling the world, they re-located in the US. Since both are lovers of wildlife and open spaces, Bernadette and Stan chose Wyoming for their home. Now both work at the University, and Bernadette runs a local, independent web design business called BMT Design (http://www.bmtdesign.com). Stan volunteers his time for the Wyoming Civil Air Patrol, both monitoring and maintaining their website, and both he and Bernadette contribute their excellent services for BCA's webpage, ( http://www.voiceforthewild.org). 

Every member's contributions go further with BCA because of the great work of many volunteers, including Bernadette and Stan. If you have a web design project, please patronize these supporters of the wild! See more examples of their work at http://www.bmtdesign.com.

TAKE THE BADGER BALL SURVEY

Thanks to great participation despite a threatening weather forecast, the Badger Ball, BCA's Third Annual Member Meeting and Auction, was a great success. If you attended the Badger Ball, please tell us how it went by taking our five-minute survey. Just click on http://www.voiceforthewild.org/phpsurveyor/index.php?sid=1, fill out ten questions, and click "submit." Thanks for making the Badger Ball great.

THANKS ALYSSA WECHSLER, FOR MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Volunteers deserve enormous credit for the Badger Ball, especially Alyssa Wechsler, who coordinated all volunteer help, despite a full load of classes, commitments and honors. Alyssa is a dedicated, talented person who has blessed BCA with her labor and expertise for years. Native wildlife can't thank Alyssa for helping with our cause, but we can. On behalf of staff, members and board: thank you, Alyssa. You make a big difference. For more information about volunteer opportunities with BCA, please email volunteercoordinator@voiceforthewild.org.