One of the great things about Wyoming is the sense of community that thrives here – in cities, towns and rural areas across the state. 

Towns are usually located where they are because of  the natural setting. Availability of water, natural transportation routes, and so on. Although diverse, towns in Wyoming have some common components, grocers, bankers, doctors, teachers, law enforcement offices, and garbage collectors.

Wyoming’s natural resources exist in communities as well. Just like our towns, these natural communities occur where they do because of environmental conditions including climate, soils and the lay of the land.

These communities also have predictable components including a variety of plants, herbivores, carnivores and decomposers, each with their own career or special role in the community.

Applying the community concept to natural resources provides us with a useful way to communicate about and study the natural wonders of our state. From the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, I’m Paul Meiman