WGFD biologist out to help mule deer habitat

To help with the Platte Valley Habitat Partnership (PVHP) Mule Deer Initiative, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently assigned Katie Cheesbrough as its new terrestrial habitat biologist.

Cheesbrough grew up in Laramie, and has been recreating in the mountains and rivers of the Upper North Platte Valley for most of her life. She began her new position with WGFD Jan. 2, had previously worked in Douglas as a wildlife biologist for the U.S. Forest Service.

Cheesbrough obtained a master's degree in zoology and physiology from University of Wyoming, and a bachelor's in biology and environmental studies from St. Olaf's College in Minnesota.

"I knew I wanted to be involved in some kind of wildlife biology probably in eighth grade," Cheesbrough said. "My family had moved to where I got some opportunities to experience wildlife and outdoors, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. The priority in my work here is dealing with the mule deer initiative here, and we're trying to increase quality mule deer habitat in the Valley. I am the habitat biologist for the Laramie region, and my efforts will be focused here for the most part."

Cheesbrough said she is also involved with the projects that were approved for funding through PVHP, and will be moved forward on this spring. Those projects include the Big Creek Ranch mountain shrub and aspen treatments, SERCD/BLM fence conversions and water developments, USFS French Creek fence conversion and ZN Ranch riparian and mountain shrub enhancements.

"My predecessors and Ryan Amundson (Wyoming Game and Gish Habitat Biologist) have done a lot of work in working with local landowners, who have been working closely with each other to get some projects on the ground this spring," Cheesbrough said. "That we're really looking forward to, and we do intend to hit the ground running in the spring and get as much on the ground as we can. Ryan and I are working to set priorities and set the project schedules for the summer, and some take longer than expected. For the most part, everything that got approved is a go."

Cheesbrough said her goal is to see a greater amount of mule deer in the Platte Valley, and establish a better, healthier habitat for them. Voices of the Valley (VoV) has also formed a working relationship with WGFD and other partners in the PVHP to improve the number and quality of local mule deer.

"Our goal is to really establish this landscape level cooperation between federal and state agencies and local landowners, and in that cooperation be able to establish effective habitat improvement that the mule deer respond to," she said. "We'd like to see greater numbers of mule deer and healthier mule deer, and they'll continue to draw photographers and wildlife enthusiasts to the area. In doing those habitat projects, we'll also benefit other species."

Along with her husband, Casey, Cheesbrough said she loves Wyoming and all it has to offer recreationally. Casey works in Walden, Colo. as an assistant fire management officer for the U.S. Forest Service.

"My husband and I grew up here and we haven't ever moved far, and we've stayed about an hour from our hometown," she said. "There is so much to love about Wyoming clearly, and the outdoor opportunities, hunting, fishing hiking backpacking are great. The sense of community in so many of the towns around Wyoming can't be beat. As evidenced here with what's going on with VoV and all of that, it shows how much people really care for their communities."

Cheesbrough said she and her husband also enjoy the small-town life Wyoming has to provide.

"My husband and I really like small towns because it's an easier way of life for us, and a way we can feel involved with the people we live around," she said. "The Wyoming Cowboys are also close by, which is nice."