In early November I had the opportunity to spend the day with the State Department of Environment Quality, the BLM and students from Lander Middle School under the direction of teachers Gayla Hammer, Casey Swift, and Jeramie Prine in the Gas Hills planting sagebrush seedlings at the Day Loma mine reclamation site. The reclamation of the Gas Hills uranium mines have evolved over the years as science and technology changes come about. Sagebrush seeding have a much better chance of surviving that do seeds. The sagebrush is being planted where grass has already been established in the reclamation process, and will help re-establish habitat for the wildlife in the area.

The BLM was very organized, it was fun to see their staff interact with the students. These types of educational opportunities don’t come along every day, I appreciated the state and federal agencies for allowing this type of participation, and I am grateful that we have teachers who have the energy and dedication to make these opportunities available to our children. Mrs. Hammer cuts a broad swath, if you know her, you are aware she has organized week long trips with kids in Yellowstone, and now she is planting sagebrush in the Gas Hills, not surprising at all.