Introduction:

“My name is Chamois Andersen, and I’m a Senior Representative for Defenders Rockies and Plains Program. I am based in Livingston, Montana but work across the Great Plains. The species I focus on are bison, endangered black-footed ferrets, prairie dogs, and swift fox.

My field conservation role includes a lot of up-close work with the wild animals of the Great Plains. That includes conducting field surveys of ferrets and hands-on work to conserve prairie dog colonies on tribal, federal and private lands. I also work to reintroduce wild bison in conservation and cultural herds to the plains, in partnership with national parks and Buffalo Nations. I help reintroduce swift fox to Tribal lands and to help bolster their numbers on the Northern Plains.

In addition to my field work, I lead advocacy efforts at the state and national levels, fighting for endangered species protections and working towards wildlife recovery in key western states such as Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.”

 

Could you describe your journey as a career conservationist?

“I am fortunate to have had a good career, 27 years in natural resource management, with a focus on wildlife. For many years I worked for state wildlife agencies, including the Colorado Division of Wildlife, where I worked on terrestrial efforts, and for the California Department of Fish and Game where I focused on marine resources. I also served as environmental science editor for the University of Wyoming’s Environment and Natural Resource Program and the Wyoming Geological Survey.

Prior to joining Defenders, I served as Executive Director of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation leading programs such as for grizzly bear recovery and sage grouse conservation.”

 

Could you share a highlight of your career so far?

“I can honestly say the highlight of my career has been helping to restore Yellowstone bison—descendants of the last remaining wild herds—back to Native Nations. Defenders is a leading non-profit in partnering with tribes on their programs to restore buffalo.

I will never forget the fall of 2019 when we facilitated the transfer of 57 bison bulls, traveling more than 500 miles from Yellowstone National Park to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in northern Montana. The members of the Assiniboine and Sioux were singing and playing drums, as we opened the doors to the trailers, and the massive bison came bounding out all at once and charged across the prairie. They had come home.”

 

What's one species you wish people understood better?

“I wish more people knew how important prairie dogs are to the health of the grasslands. As a keystone species, their activities on the prairie, like clipping the grasses and underground burrowing, provide a unique habitat that benefits numerous other species. The black-footed ferret, burrowing owl, Ferruginous hawk, swift fox and dozens of other wildlife rely on prairie dogs and their underground burrows for their survival.

What is challenging is that many state departments of agriculture categorize them as a pest. But state wildlife agencies consider them a ‘species of greatest conservation good.’ These conflicting designations mean counties can conduct mass poisoning of their colonies while state wildlife agencies and advocates such as Defenders are working hard to conserve prairie dogs and the habitat they provide for plains wildlife.”

 

What are you excited to see happening in conservation right now?

“I am excited to see how Defenders and our conservation partners will be able connect large landscapes for bison to roam, and how restoring intact grasslands and active prairie dog colonies will pave the way for the return of black-footed ferret, swift fox and grasslands bird populations.

It is amazing to see the synergies between these native plains wildlife and the health of our grasslands. A major goal of the Great Plains community is to conserve the best intact grasslands and connect these lands — federal, tribal, and private — for the cause. It is my hope that with this effort, wildlife can once again flourish on our prairie grasslands.”

Click here to learn more about Chamois and her work at Defenders!

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