6:30 AM

Vendor Setup Opens

7:30 AM

Registration Opens & Light Breakfast

8:15 AM

Opening Remarks

Pete Obermueller, President, Petroleum Association of Wyoming

8:30 AM

House Draw Fire Video

8:40 AM

2025 Wyoming Seed Strategy

Maggie Eshleman, The Nature Conservancy

Maggie Eshleman has been working on reclamation and revegetation projects across the United States for 16 years. She started with The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming in 2018 and leads their native seed program, which works to increase the availability of native seeds for reclamation through research, collaboration and outreach. Prior to working at The Nature Conservancy, she worked in environmental consulting.

9:05 AM

On the Path to Saving the Sagebrush Sea: Advancing Seeding Success through Novel Seed Coating Innovations and Modifications to Rangeland Seed Drills

Dr. Matthew D. Madsen, Brigham Young University

Matt Madsen grew up working on his family’s ranch near Gunnison, Utah, where he developed an early appreciation for the challenges of managing and restoring western rangelands. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Watershed and Earth Systems and a Master’s degree in Soil Science from Utah State University, then completed a Ph.D. in Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation at Brigham Young University.

After earning his Ph.D., Matt worked as a Research Ecologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Burns, Oregon, where he conducted rangeland restoration research. In 2015, he returned to Brigham Young University as a faculty member, where he now serves as an Associate Professor teaching courses in rangeland management and ecological restoration. His research integrates ecology, engineering, and seed technology to create practical solutions that improve the establishment and long-term success of native plants on degraded rangelands, mine lands, and other disturbed ecosystems.

9:30 AM

Assessment of ecosystem service response to reclamation on abandoned roads and well pads in the Powder River Basin

• LB Myers, EOG
• Mike Curran, Abnova Ecological Solutions
• Zachary Farmer, Abnova Ecological Solutions
• Tim Robinson, University of Wyoming

LB Myers has worked for EOG Resources for 15 years and oversees the reclamation program for EOG’s Rocky Mountain Region. He received his Master’s degree specializing in Ecological Restoration from Colorado State University. He enjoys all the challenging facets in this field of reclamation.

Dr. Mike Curran is the CEO and Principal Ecologist of Abnova Ecological Solutions.  Mike got his MS and PHD from University of Wyoming, winning both the Top MS and Top PhD Award from the American Society of Reclamation Sciences upon graduating. Having owned Abnova for just under 4 years, Curran has won both the Early Career Award and the Richard I and Lela M Barnhisel Distinguished Researcher Award from the American Society of Reclamation Sciences.  He has published research in collaboration with over 100 authors worldwide, including several PAW industry members and academic and government researchers from every continent except Antarctica. He introduced the concepts of data management, dashboards, and spatially explicit monitoring to oil and gas reclamation during his time as a graduate student and is the first to examine insect response to reclamation.  He was recognized by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 2015 for his role in linking reclamation to sage-grouse and its role in keeping the bird from being listed on the Endangered Species Act.

Zach Farmer is the Field Operations Officer for Abnova and brings a unique and invaluable perspective to the team, with a background that spans military service and  restoration. After joining the United States Marine Corps in 2006, he deployed twice to Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and later earned the distinguished title of Critical Skills Operator/Marine Raider with MARSOC. After completing his military service in 2020, Zachary set his sights on a new mission—earning his political science degree from the University of Wyoming. He has been with Abnova for 2 years and has monitored over 600 miles of pipeline reclamation, assisted with sage-grouse habitat monitoring across nearly 400,000 acres, and has monitored well pad, pipeline and road reclamation across 8 natural gas fields across Wyoming and Utah.

9:55 AM

Vendor Spotlight

10:00 AM

Networking Break

Visit Vendors

10:20 AM

Updates on Threatened and Endangered species in Wyoming & using insect surveys and LiDAR imagery to study reclamation effectiveness

Gary P. Beauvais, WY Natural Diversity Database

Gary Beauvais was born and raised in northern Colorado; moved to Laramie in 1992.  Earned a PhD. in Zoology from University of Wyoming in 1997; started work at the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database in 1998, and has served as Director since 2000.  Hates writing bios about himself.  Bats right handed, throws right handed, and definitely not a threat to steal bases.

10:45 AM

Water Recycling and Sharing – Best Practices and Regulatory Approaches

• Michael Willcox, EOG
• Joe Glennon, Devon Energy
• Beau Hill, Anschutz
• Joe Scott, Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission

Mike Willcox serves as a Project Manager at EOG Resources and has spent the past decade building a broad foundation in oil and gas, ranging from analytics to operations and field leadership. His primary focus is water project planning and execution in Wyoming and North Dakota, with additional experience in New Mexico and Colorado. He emphasizes water reuse strategies, operational self-reliance, and cost control, driving safer operations, improved efficiency, and long-term resource stewardship. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science from Boise State University and an MBA in Energy Management from the University of Wyoming.

Joe graduated from Montana Tech with a degree in Civil Engineering in 2010 and went to work for Baker Hughes from 2011-2014 selling production chemical in the PRB. He was then hired by Devon Energy to manage production chemical at the end of 2014. In 2018, he was put in charge of the water system which included pipeline infrastructure and injection wells. In 2023, Devon started recycling and is in the process of purchasing their third DAF since then.

Beau Hill is an Infrastructure Lead at Anschutz with 14 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, with a water resources emphasis, from the University of Wyoming, earned in 2006. Throughout his career, Beau has specialized in water management and process design, contributing to innovative solutions that optimize water sourcing, conveyance, management, and recycling in oil and gas operations. His expertise has positioned him as a trusted resource on sustainable water use and its critical role in the life cycle of oil and gas wells. In addition to his professional achievements, Beau is passionate about sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and supporting the development of efficient resource management strategies.

Joe Scott serves as the Natural Resources Manager at the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. He has worked for the Commission for 10 years covering a wide range of duties. He is responsible for managing Underground Injection Control, produced water recycling, compliance and enforcement, spills, and sage-grouse and migration corridor executive order implementation. He is also heavily involved in policy decisions and rule making, tracking state and national  legislation and litigation, and interagency coordination with state and federal agencies. Prior to working at the Commission Joe spent 10 years in environmental consulting at Intertech E&E, LLC/Apex Environmental and Tetra Tech working a variety of environmental tasks for multiple industries. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Public Policy from Harvard University.

11:45 AM

Lunch

1:00 PM

Hazardous Fuels Treatments in Cheatgrass

Shawn Gettings, BLM Fuel Specialist

Shawn was born and raised in Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in Rangeland Ecology and Watershed Management with a minor in Soil Sciences. He has been a Wildland Fire Fighter for the last 22 years, with the last 7 year specifically focused on Hazardous Fuels Management. He is currently the BLM Fuels Specialist for the Cody Field Office. Most of his career has been spent in NW Wyoming between the Bighorn National Forest, the Shoshone National Forest, and now the BLM. He is married with one 7-year-old son and currently live in Ralston, WY.

1:25 PM

Tracking Reclamation Progress – A Wildlife Approach

Paxton Hunter and Chris Kirol, Herrera Environmental Consultants Inc.

Paxton grew up with a deep love and curiosity for wildlife and the outdoors. This passion guided both her academic and career pursuits. Paxton graduated from Texas State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. Since then, she has worked as an environmental consultant with proficiency in avian biology, ecology, and species identification. Throughout her career, Paxton has been involved in a wide variety of wildlife-related projects, supporting diverse natural resource efforts across multiple ecosystems.

Dr. Chris Kirol grew up in Cody, Wyoming, where he developed a deep appreciation for the state’s abundant wildlife at an early age. Chris earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the University of Wyoming. For his master’s research, under the guidance of Dr. Jeff Beck, he studied sink and source dynamics of greater sage-grouse populations in southern Wyoming. 

Chris completed his PhD at the University of Waterloo, where his research examined sage-grouse and sagebrush-associated songbirds in the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. His doctoral work investigated how these species respond to human infrastructure, such as power lines, and to ongoing oil and gas reclamation efforts in the region. Before pursuing graduate studies, Chris worked as a wildlife biologist for an environmental consulting firm in Sheridan, Wyoming, where he conducted habitat assessments and wildlife clearance surveys for industrial development projects.

1:50 PM

Evolving BMPs to Allow Protective Operations Inside Stipulation Windows: A Colorado Case Study

Heidi Gill, Urban Solution Group

Heidi Gill serves as CEO of Urban Solution Group. She founded Urban in 2017 to bridge the gap between oil and natural gas development and social compatibility. Focusing on comprehensive mitigation plans and products, Heidi has led the Urban team as they continuously bring innovative products and services to the oil and natural gas industry. Holding several patented or patent pending products, Heidi and Urban are recognized as leaders and innovators. Urban provides sound mitigation, software and engineering services to the oil and natural gas, renewables, data centers and cryptocurrency industries throughout the U.S.

Prior to founding Urban, Heidi worked for Anadarko Petroleum, where she oversaw all mitigation related activities with her primary focus on drilling, completions, and production facilities.

Heidi currently serves on the Board of the Colorado Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as the Colorado Oil and Gas Association’s Advisory Board. 

2:15 PM

Vendor Spotlight

2:20 PM

Networking Break

Visit Vendors

2:40 PM

Sage Grouse Implementation Team Update

Bob Budd, Executive Director, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resources Trust

3:05 PM

Effectiveness of State Executive Orders in Wildlife Management

Angi Bruce, Director, Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Angi is the first female director in the state’s 51-year history. A dedicated biologist, Angi built a long-standing career in conservation. Her career includes previous roles as the Game and Fish habitat protection supervisor and assistant wildlife bureau chief with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. As the former Game and Fish deputy director of external affairs, Angi collaborated closely with partners, external organizations, other states and the legislature to be a voice for Wyoming’s wildlife. Her work has been instrumental in addressing complex fish and wildlife management issues, including oversight of significant projects such as migration corridors, the department’s “Movement Matters” initiative and sage-grouse policy. 

3:50 PM

Closing Remarks

Lily Simon, Director of Regulatory Affairs, Petroleum Association of Wyoming