The University of Wyoming’s Sheridan Research and Extension Center has received a key gift from EOG Resources Inc. to advance research on reclamation and to combat invasive plant and grass species in northeast Wyoming.

The gift — part of the UW School of Energy Resources’ (SER) mission to support the energy industry — was doubled by state matching funds through SER.

This long-term project is under development in the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources’ Sheridan Research and Extension Center in cooperation with the Buffalo Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is focused on improving rangeland restoration in the state, particularly as it relates to native plant species in and around the Powder River Basin.

“The main objective of what we do is to figure out how we can restore the land when there is a disturbance or degradation of some form so that it can be returned to a functioning level,” says Brian Mealor, director of the Sheridan Research and Extension Center. “Our team at the center has a broad suite of reclamation and restoration activities, including invasive species management, native plant breeding and genetics, and establishment methods.”

The gift from EOG Resources will build on well-established collaborations to support faculty, research scientists, graduate students, and travel expenses for field work. It will facilitate the hiring of undergraduate student interns over the course of three years to bolster the research.

“This incredible support from EOG and SER really leverages existing funding from the BLM and enhances our ability to work on other projects, too,” Mealor says. “By building on existing partnerships and support, it allows us to grow our experiential learning opportunities for students, to develop more engagement with stakeholders, and to expand the scope of the project.”

EOG Resources is one of the largest crude oil and natural gas exploration and production companies in Wyoming and in the United States. With proved reserves, producing wells, and ongoing development in the Powder River Basin, the company has been directly involved in projects working to establish native flora and sagebrush on land previously used for drilling and production activities.

“EOG is committed to supporting research and projects focused on advancing successful reclamation and restoration in Wyoming,” says Cory Helms, vice president and general manager for EOG Resources. “We are thankful for the strong partnerships built with UW and the BLM’s Buffalo Field Office to restore land in a manner responsive to the interests of the local community.”

The northeast corner of Wyoming is a historic hotbed for energy development — including oil, natural gas, coal, and wind — as well as a significant site for emerging technologies such as rare earth element extraction and carbon management. Additionally, agriculture and tourism play a huge role in the economy and competing landscape interests. Successful reclamation efforts can have a long-term positive effect on all three areas. It can also offer lessons learned to be shared throughout the state.

“SER is tasked with making sure funding is directed to research at the university that is directly supporting the energy industry in Wyoming,” says SER Senior Director of Research Scott Quillinan. “Reclamation is an essential and often overlooked piece of energy development. The work that the Sheridan Research and Extension Center has been overseeing is critical to the successful restoration of land in a productive use with the reestablishment of native plant ecosystems, and we are so pleased to support such important work.”

Specific work on the project is being spearheaded by Donna Harris, an assistant professor of plant sciences who also holds the E.A. Whitney Endowed Professorship of Agriculture.

Harris joined the UW faculty in 2009 following a career in industry. She has grown the native plant program considerably with her expertise in applied plant breeding. She also has enhanced the center’s ability to improve the plant material side of the equation by identifying native grasses that will thrive on previously disturbed sites.

Harris has introduced student learning outcomes that integrate applied research in the lab and in the field. This work isolates genetic characteristics of native grasses and plants that will perform best under certain soil stressors. These grasses and plants compete with invasive species to restore and improve lands for productive future uses, including livestock grazing, recreation, and conservation.

“I want to express my appreciation for EOG Resources and to SER for their willingness to support this work and build momentum,” Harris says. “SER recognizing the value of our work and seeing that this is all part of a much bigger picture will only make the state a better more productive place among all of the important economic sectors.”

This story was originally published on UW News.