Environment

Clearing the Way for Wildlife-friendly Fencing in North Dakota

May, 2023 — Bakken, North Dakota

Last winter, MRO volunteers joined forces with the North Dakota Petroleum Council and other oil and gas industry volunteers to begin a project supporting the Mule Deer Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, removing old pasture fencing to prepare for the installation of a new, wildlife-friendly fence. Recently, over 25 volunteers came together to finish the job, removing three miles of fence in McKenzie County, North Dakota.

Volunteers working along the fence line in McKenzie County, North Dakota.

From operating skid steers to pull fence posts, to untangling wire from juniper trees, everyone chipped in to make room for new fencing that will create less impact on local wildlife. Rod Vaage, MRO Facilities Specialist and outdoor enthusiast and hunter, said that:

“It’s easy to see the correlation between habitat restoration and healthy wildlife populations. This was my third year volunteering with the Mule Deer Foundation and as always, I‘m glad to be part of these rewarding projects, collaborating with industry peers to make a difference in our wildlife areas. Our efforts also afford us a landowner’s perspective on not only habitat projects, but the impacts of various oil and gas projects as well.”