Wyoming
Rod Miller: From Beavers to Coal, Five Wyoming… | Cowboy State Daily
When fur trappers of the 1830s stood hip-deep in the numbing waters of Wyoming’s far west side, they began our first industry. International demand for beaver fur for fashionable headwear created wealth where none existed before.
That was also the dawn of Wyoming’s symbiotic relationship with corporate America in the form of the powerful fur companies.
This heyday lasted until silkworms from China produced a product that proved more desirable for making hats for European nobility, and the beaver fur industry declined.
Some of those early entrepreneurs in the Big Empty, struggling with the demise of beaver trapping, poked around South Pass and discovered gold in 1842. A decade or so later, a frenzied gold rush resulted in South Pass City becoming the densest concentration of white folks in the territory.
Again, wealth was created out of thin air, sweat and capital until the lode petered out. But, before it did, money was made and the economic life of what would become Wyoming strode forward.
For those keeping count, that was economic boom number two.
When the gold boom died, the railroad was built through Wyoming, connecting us with markets on both coasts. Some smart folks saw an opportunity to convert the hardy grasses of our plains into meat and wool, and ship it to cold, hungry folks up and down the line.
Bingo! The range livestock industry was born. Magnificent old Queen Anne mansions were built by cattle and sheep barons with the profits, and they still line the streets of our towns.
The livestock industry dominated Wyoming’s economic profile for nearly a century, providing the imagery on our license plates and the name for our football team. No other industry has branded us as deeply.
In the mid-1950s, recreation and tourism supplanted livestock as the major contributor to Wyoming’s GDP. Hunters, fisherpeople, and casual tourists flocked to Yellowstone, borne by a burgeoning system of paved highways and runways, and spread out from there to the entire state.
We chuckle at these folks’ antics during the summer, but still pockets wads of cash that they tote across our border.
Oil and gas has, for a long time, been an important sub-component of our Gross Domestic Product, but never enough to knock cows or tourons off the top rung.
But, in 1970, the federal Clean Air Act was passed and almost immediately vaulted hydrocarbons to the top of our economic heap. This in the form of Wyoming’s low-sulfur coal which, because of new environmental regulations, became the preferred fuel for producing electricity nationwide.
Couple the Powder River Basin coal boom with the discovery of elephant gas fields near the greater Marbleton metroplex, and we have economic boom number five, still funneling money into our coffers by the wagonload.
But that industry is nearing the end of its shelf life.
Hence, if you characterize Wyoming’s economic life as a series of booms and busts, you are right on the money. This is the chart of our progress, albeit spasmodic, into the future where we find ourselves now.
At each turn on that bumpy road, the champions of the old industry fought tooth and claw against the new industry that they viewed as a threat. Our growth has been anything but smooth because of that fact.
But, in every case, that new industry created wealth in the Cowboy State that wasn’t there before. I think the term “progress” would apply. And I read somewhere that economic progress is what capitalism is all about.
So, instead of griping and whining about progress, and pushing back against it to protect the old way, I’ll just tip my Stetson to it. A Stetson, by the way, made of beaver fur.
Rod Miller can be reached at: rodsmillerwyo@yahoo.com
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Cowboy hats, boots and even spurs peppered the crowd of ranchers, lawmakers and wildlife advocates at Miller Land and Livestock. The sixth generation ranch, nestled between Big Piney and the Wyoming Range, hosted a recent conservation event.
“We’re all about horses and cattle, but we really like our birds too,” said Mike Miller, who runs the ranch with his wife, Tara Miller, and the help of their sons, Will and Wes, and grandsons, Kaleb and Blu.
The Miller Ranch’s conservation efforts caught the eye of the National Audubon Society – specifically, their work to preserve bird habitat.
“Every year we have a [bird] family around our house. Last year was ferruginous hawk,” Mike said as birds chirped in the background. “This year, it’s an owl family. They’re really fun to watch. They’re pretty stoic individuals.”
The Audubon’s event was pegged as a “Sagebrush Celebration”, with a nod to the Miller’s recent ‘bird-friendly habitat certification from the Society. It’s a coveted title given to ranches who have prioritized conservation. The Millers said they couldn’t have gotten to this place without state and federal assistance.
Caitlin Tan
/
Wyoming Public Media
“They all have been a godsend to ranchers,” said Tara to the crowd of about 70. “The help and knowledge we have gained from them is invaluable.”
This is noticeably a different tone from Wyoming’s growing number of lawsuits against federal agencies over conservation efforts and management of natural resources. Wyoming often argues that local knowledge isn’t being prioritized in these efforts.
But not at the Miller Ranch. In attendance was Gov. Mark Gordon, and he said this is an example of the system working.
“Wildlife migrates across federal, state and private lands, each with management objectives,” Gordon said to the crowd of ranchers, wildlife advocates and lawmakers. “It’s only when people come together, with leadership from folks like Mike and Tara, that we can actually get that solved on the ground in a way that makes sense to wildlife, because wildlife don’t understand red lines.”
Jaden Bales
/
Wyoming Wildlife Federation
The Millers are the 11th ranch in Wyoming to receive the Audubon recognition. The society highlighted the Miller’s strategic rotational grazing of their cattle.
“Short, intense grazing periods create patches of short vegetation suitable for species like the Burrowing Owl and Ferruginous Hawk,” according to an Audubon press release. “Extended periods of rest from grazing allow for taller habitat structures, benefiting species like the Lark Bunting, Loggerhead Shrike and Sagebrush Sparrow.”
Speaker of the Wyoming House Albert Sommers (R-Pinedale) also acknowledged the Millers’ efforts, saying collaboration is key for conservation.
“If we can’t find ways to work together, to preserve these working landscapes, we’re going to be in a far worse place than we are today,” Sommers said.
Right now, Wyoming is in talks with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) over a newly proposed sage grouse management plan. The goal is to prevent an Endangered Species listing. Science shows conservation of sagebrush and limited disturbance can slow the population’s decline.
A final version of the plan is expected in the coming months. Then, the work will start. That means collaboration between federal, state and local landowners, like the Millers.
Tara acknowledged all the hard work it takes to do so. It’s been a learning process since she married into the family 50 years ago.
“I was glad to be a cowgirl marrying a good looking, fun loving bronc rider and had little idea of the lifetime commitment I was making to a big ranch,” she said.
But Tara said she wouldn’t have it anyother way. The Millers have built a reputation for not only their ranching and conservation, but also their horse breeding program.
They won Best Remuda from the American Quarter Horse Association in 2021, which awards ranches across the country with top of the line home-raised ranch horses.
Just this year, Mike Miller was inducted into the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame. He earned more than $623,000 and made it to multiple cow horse final showing events since the late 1980s – all achieved on horses bred and raised on their wildlife-friendly ranch.
Wyoming’s WIC Program Helps Thousands of Families
June 27, 2024
Free nutritious foods and education, breastfeeding support and healthcare referrals are offered to thousands of families across the state by the Wyoming WIC Program, operated by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).
The Wyoming WIC Program features free, easy-to-use benefit cards participants can take to local stores to get nutritious foods at no cost. Some WIC families also are eligible for infant formula benefits. WIC is aimed at helping women who are pregnant or new moms, infants and children up to age 5.
Tina Fearneyhough, WIC program manager with WDH, said “We know WIC services can significantly improve participant health while also helping people feed their families during a key period of child development.”
Fearneyhough described ongoing efforts to modernize and help make the program even more readily available for participating families. “We now offer virtual appointments to our WIC participants if needed or requested and have developed consistent digital resources our staff can use to help WIC families,” she said. “Later this year we will offer new cards with enhanced, user-friendly technology and we think participants will like the upgrade.”
Wyoming WIC serves families with incomes up to 185 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. Qualifying income guidelines for WIC have been updated effective July 1:
1 person family -$27,861/year or $2,322/month
2 person family -$37,814/year or $3,152/month
3 person family -$47,767/year or $3,981/month
4 person family -$57,720/year or $4,810/month
5 person family -$67,673/year or $5,640/month
Families already using SNAP, TANF or Wyoming Medicaid benefits also qualify for WIC.
“Our income guidelines are adjusted each year. Our new guidelines may help a few more families to be eligible for WIC benefits,” Fearneyhough said.
Wyoming residents can apply for WIC benefits at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/wic/apply-for-wic/. WIC is not just for moms; all caregivers of young children are welcome to apply, including dads, foster parents, guardians, grandparents and step-parents.
WIC is officially known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program, and is a joint federal and state government effort under the USDA.
WIC clinics are located throughout the state and can be found by using the “Clinic Locator” online at https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/wic/wic-clinic-locator/ or by calling 1-888-996-9378.
Wyoming resident Cody Woolard – @rednecklown – posts footage of the flora and fauna near his home. He’s posted clips of bears, snakes, elk and coyotes, but by far the scariest thing he’s shared is a clip of a moving fault line.
Unfortunately, the original was deleted, but Knightbear49 posted a copy on r/TikTokCringe.
A fault line is moving in Wyoming
byu/Knightbear49 inTikTokCringe
What in the Sunnydale Hellmouth is going on there? And why did he film it instead of running away like Usain Bolt on a downhill slope?
Reddit had many, many thoughts.
Well time to add that to the list of sentences that trigger my fight or flight response.
GooglyOldBread
Welp, it’s been nice knowing y’all.
GaySpaceCrow
Naw you just have a tremor infestation.
Nickblove
Wow this is crazy to actually see.
NoIntern4400
Learn to swim, see you down in South Dakota Bay.
StaticLynx
And why are you walking down a fault line?
No-Juice-458
THANKS, OBAMA.
GraemeKnows
This is super fascinating, thanks to the cameraman for sharing!
nominalverticle
Be cool if the neighbor’s pool suddenly was in your back yard after a good shaking…. I’ll let myself out.
TotallyNotABotAccount
That’s how you die in movies.
GrilledAvocad0
Well shit. Guess 2012 is happening 12 years late!
PupperPetterBean
Man he buried the lede here. I was wondering if he got pranked by someone digging a trench until he showed the road.
QueryCrook
EroticSouls added to our nightmares.
Does this mean the Yellowstone super volcano is finally going to blow and put an end to all our suffering?
READ MORE
Just watching this terrifying climb is enough to give you nightmares
Source r/TikTokCringe Image Screengrab
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