Wildlife & Wildlands Conservation
Lighting the Way for Conservation and Environmental Stewardship
BYU Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation students bring light to the world by bridging science and stewardship. Through research and education, these students unite to restore degraded landscapes, protect wildlife, and inspire members of our community to be faithful stewards of God's creations. They apply their knowledge of plants, soils, and wildlife to safeguard critical wildlife populations and habitats, improve species distribution, restore rangelands, reclaim minelands, and advance conservation solutions that balance the needs of nature and people today and into the future.
For it is expedient that I, the Lord, should make every man accountable, as a steward over earthly blessings, which I have made and prepared for my creatures. I, the Lord, stretched out the heavens, and built the earth, my very handiwork; and all things therein are mine. D&C 104:13-14
Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation
Featured Native Wildland Plants
Wildland plants are essential to ecosystem health, providing habitat and forage for wildlife, stabilizing soils to prevent erosion, and enhancing water conservation by improving infiltration and reducing runoff. They contribute to biodiversity while also offering valuable benefits for humans, including food, medicinal properties, and aesthetic value. These plants play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting livelihoods that depend on wildland resources
Artemisia tridentata Nutt.
Artemisia tridentata Nutt.
Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.
Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt.
Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth
Achnatherum hymenoides (Roem. & Schult.) Barkworth
Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC
Purshia tridentata (Pursh) DC.
Big Sagebrush
Many wildlife species rely on this shrub for food and cover, including greater sage-grouse, sagebrush lizards, sage thrashers, sage sparrows, Brewer’s sparrows, pronghorn, and pygmy rabbits. Some Native American groups traditionally used its leaves in herbal remedies.
Fourwing Saltbush
This salt-loving shrub thrives in soils with high salt (saline) or high pH (alkali) levels. Its small, dry fruits have a distinctive 4-winged shape and were ground by some Native Americans to make flour for bread. An infusion of leaves and stems from this species can be used to make yellow dye.
Indian Ricegrass
This grass is an important forage source for many grazing livestock and wildlife, and its seeds were traditionally ground into flour by many Native Americans. Its delicate, wiry seed heads form a distinctive branching pattern, giving it a unique appearance.
Antelope Bitterbrush
This shrub provides important browse for mule deer and produces seeds that serve as a food source for birds and small mammals. Its yellow flowers bloom from April to August, attracting pollinators and adding to its ecological value.
Cicer Milkvetch
This herbaceous flowering plant, or forb, belongs to the Fabaceae family, which is known for its ability to fix nitrogen—converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that enriches the soil and improves soil fertility. Because of this, Cicer Milkvetch is valuable for rangeland restoration, especially in nutrient-depleted soils.
Rocky Mountain Penstemon
Penstemon species are known for their tubular, purple flowers that attract a variety of pollinators and for their leaves, which grow in opposite pairs that often clasp the stem. This species is also useful for erosion control and reclamation.
Bluebunch Wheatgrass
This perennial bunchgrass is commonly used in rangeland restoration because of its high forage value for grazing animals. A distinguishing feature of bluebunch wheatgrass is its seed head, which has strong, outward-spreading awns (or bristle-like structures extending from the seed).
Bottlebrush Squirreltail
This grass is an early successional species, meaning it is one of the first plants to colonize an area after a disturbance, like wildfire. Its long, bristly awns give it a bottlebrush-like appearance making it easy to recognize. It helps stabilize the soil and use available nutrients before invasive species can take over. Over time, it also prepares the site for more desirable plant species to establish.
Crested Wheatgrass
This grass species is often included in seed mixes for rangeland restoration because it helps stabilize disturbed soils and is highly palatability to a wide range of livestock and wildlife.
Needle and thread
This grass is known for its long, twisting awns, which give it a distinctive, needle-like appearance. Its seeds have a sharp, pointed shape that can easily stick to clothing—making it a fun discovery in the field! It helps prevent wind erosion on sandy soils and provides important winter and spring forage for elk and deer.
Palmer’s Penstemon
Named after botanist Edward Palmer, this large forb has showy white to pink flowers and opposite, often toothed leaves. Palmer’s Penstemon is valuable for both pollinators and aesthetics on rangelands.
Purple Threeawn
As its name suggests, this grass has three distinctive, spreading awns extending from each seed. Purple threeawn grows in a variety of soil types and is valued for its low water needs, making it a great choice for water-wise gardens.
Lewis flax
Lewis flax can be planted in green strips—areas of fire-resistant vegetation designed to slow wildfires—and is also useful for erosion control. Its showy blue flowers provide an excellent food source for pollinators, and its stem fibers were traditionally used by various Native American groups to make cordage and string.
Paintbrush
Paintbrush species are hemiparasites, meaning they obtain some of their nutrients from nearby plants. Some Castilleja species are rare or sensitive and require careful management. Paintbrush plants are pollinated by a variety of insects and hummingbirds.
Plains Coreopsis
Plains Coreopsis is a hardy annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle in a single growing season. Known for its vibrant, showy flowers and widespread range, it provides an excellent food source for pollinators and is often used as an ornamental plant.
Curlleaf Mountain Mahogany
This shrub or small tree grows on rocky slopes and is characterized by its thick, evergreen leaves that curl slightly at the edges, and its seeds, which are attached to feathery plumes that aid wind dispersal. Native Americans in present-day Utah traditionally used its wood to make bows.
Raechel Hunsaker, Graduate student in Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation
Hometown: Orem, Utah
Research Focus: My research examines how state education standards in the Intermountain West cover natural resource topics. We are identifying gaps in these standards and exploring ways to integrate key natural resource concepts while aligning with state requirements. The goal is to enhance students’ understanding of natural resources and their role in the environment before college.
What inspired you to study WWC: For as long as I can remember, the natural world has been a source of amazement and wonder to me. I love exploring God's creations and find so many witnesses of His attention to detail as I learn about them. With this love comes an innate desire to care for the earth as a steward over the resources God has provided us. I was inspired to study WWC to not only continue living my dream of learning about the natural world, but also to become equipped with the skills and knowledge to better fulfil my sacred responsibility of earthly stewardship.
Melissa Burrell, Graduate student in Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation
Hometown: Kearns, Utah
Research Focus: My research aims to restore ecological functions to degraded mineland soils by introducing soil amendments and soil-microbes, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Given the essential role of mining in our world, it is crucial to rehabilitate these lands and restore their ecological functions once mining activities have concluded.
What inspired you to study WWC: As an undergraduate majoring in wildlife and wildlands conservation, I aimed to deepen my understanding of the natural world. I was amazed by the wonders I had previously overlooked due to a lack of knowledge and awareness. When I joined a research lab, I was excited to apply classroom concepts in the field and make new discoveries. I love seeing how research creates new technologies to better restore and protect our natural resources. I decided to continue with a master’s degree because I want to gain more crucial skills needed to aid in the improvement of the management of our natural resources. I entered BYU to learn and will be leaving with the skills and knowledge necessary to serve others by properly managing the beautiful creations God has given us.