Wyoming Virtual Fence Symposium Sparks Innovation and Collaboration
In late January, 125 ranchers, land managers, and conservationists gathered in Cody, Wyoming, for the Wyoming Virtual Fence Symposium. The event was a catalyst for change, bringing folks together to explore the potential of virtual fencing (VF) in revolutionizing livestock management, conservation efforts, and rangeland health.
Virtual fencing is an emerging technology with potential to reduce labor costs and improve rangeland conditions while supporting wildlife movement. Though successful in various states, implementing VF in the rugged Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem presents unique challenges. The symposium, hosted by the East Yellowstone Collaborative with funding from the University of Wyoming Haub School through an Alumbra Innovations Foundation grant, aimed to tackle these challenges by fostering discussion, sharing experiences, and paving the way for future implementation.
VF vendors didn’t just speak about their technology, but showed it to attendees firsthand. Photo GYC
Attendees from Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota engaged with an impressive lineup of panelists, including VF vendors, ranchers, and researchers. Three VF vendors—Halter, eShepherd, and Vence—kicked off the event, detailing their products’ costs, implementation, and adaptability. Attendees asked pointed questions about VF’s feasibility in Greater Yellowstone’s challenging terrain, highlighting both its promise and hurdles.
One of the most compelling parts of the symposium was the rancher panel, where producers from Montana, Wyoming, Oregon, and California shared their firsthand experiences with VF. Each producer had worked with a different vendor, offering a diverse look at the strengths and challenges of various systems.
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming was packed for the Jan. 30 Wyoming Virtual Fence Symposium. Photo GYC
Lauren Sizemore, owner of Lone Star Ranch in northern California, described the mental adjustment required when using VF, explaining how it felt strange at first to manage “invisible” fence lines. Despite the learning curve, producers emphasized the benefits—VF has not only saved time and labor but also contributed to improved rangeland conditions and better conservation outcomes for wildlife.
Researchers from Colorado State University, the University of Idaho, and the University of Wyoming presented findings on VF’s ability to reduce barriers for migratory wildlife, improve habitats along rivers and streams, manage post-fire vegetation, and foster regional collaboration between ranchers and conservation groups. Discussions reinforced that VF is more than a livestock management tool—it’s a pathway to sustainable, wildlife-friendly landscapes.
The symposium also offered potential funding solutions as cost is one of the biggest barriers to VF adoption.
GYC Senior Wyoming Conservation Associate, Erin Welty, organized the symposium and spoke to the crowd. Photo GYC
Travis Brammer of the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) introduced the Virtual Fence Conservation Fund, a private initiative aimed at helping ranchers integrate this technology. To encourage participation, Brammer even extended the application deadline for funding assistance. Ford Smith of Kateri Carbon presented another option: ranchers enrolling in carbon credit markets could generate supplemental income to offset VF costs.
The symposium sparked ongoing discussions, with multiple VF trials now being considered across Greater Yellowstone. As research and implementation continue, so does the potential for transformative conservation and ranching solutions.
For those who missed the event, the Western Landowners Alliance filmed the panel discussions, and recordings will soon be available on the East Yellowstone Collaborative website.
As VF technology continues to adapt and improve, one thing is clear: the enthusiasm and collaboration sparked at this symposium indicate the beginning of an exciting new chapter for ranching, conservation, and the landscapes we all share.
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— Erin Welty, Senior Wyoming Conservation Associate (Cody, Wyoming)