Werner Wildlife Speaker Series

Overview

Join us on Tuesday, January 20th at 6:00pm for a presentation on the Living Dirt, presented by Jared James, program coordinator for the Casper College School of Science. Hidden but powerful, biological soil crusts are the living foundation of Wyoming’s rangelands. Formed by mosses, lichens, and microbes, these crusts hold soil in place and shape wildlife habitat. Discover how they function, what happens when they’re disturbed, and why they matter for the future of the high plains.
Jared James is a recent graduate of CSU's Master’s in Natural Resource Stewardship. His academic work focused on how policy tools like categorical exclusions can make ecological restoration more efficient, particularly in energy-impacted landscapes. He is especially interested in the foundational role of soil systems in maintaining rangeland health. Before joining Casper College, he taught high school science and served as a community liaison for the Municipality of Anchorage.