ROCK SPRINGS — The Bureau of Land Management, Rock Springs Field Office invites families, individuals, clubs and organizations to help replace net wire fencing with wildlife friendly fencing at the Crookston Ranch cultural site on Aug. 22 in an early celebration of National Public Lands Day (NPLD).

This NPLD activity is expected to take a full day and volunteers of all ages are welcome. Proper work attire such as gloves, hat, long pants, sturdy shoes and safety glasses should be worn. Gloves and safety glasses will be available. Sunscreen and insect repellant are highly recommended. Water and snacks will be available as well as NPLD t-shirts, participation certificates and national park access passes. To join the effort, meet at 8:00 a.m. at the Rock Springs Field Office, 280 Highway 191 N., or at the Crookston Ranch after 9:00 a.m.

To get to Crookston Ranch, take Highway 191 north to mile marker 10. Turn east onto County Road 4-17. Stay on County Road 4-17 for 22 miles. At the intersection of County Road 4-17 and BLM Road 4115 stay north (left) on BLM 4115 following signs that direct to the Sand Dunes Open Play Area for ½ (0.5) mile and turn west (left) onto the Crookston Ranch access road. Follow the Crookston Ranch access road 1¼ (1.25) miles staying to the left of any intersections. The site will be on the north of the Crookston Ranch access road. Watch for signs along the route.

The historic 40-acre Crookston Ranch site is located in the Greater Sand Dunes Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), south of the Killpecker Sand Dunes Open Play Area parking lot. The site is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places as a representative example of architecture from the Wyoming Basin homesteading era. Some damage is occurring to the riparian area on the ranch site from off highway vehicle users and campers. The BLM plans to preserve the historic nature of the Crookston Ranch through this project while providing wildlife friendly fencing.

For more information, please visit www.publiclandsday.org or www.facebook.com/nationalpubliclandsday.

Tweet about your NPLD experience on Twitter with the hashtag #NPLD or @PublicLandsDay.

For more information, please contact Jo Foster at 307-352-0327.