Conservation District constructs wildlife escape ramps

Phillips Conservation District recently hired members of the Malta FFA Chapter to construct wildlife escape ramps, utilizing funds from a Montana DNRC 223 grant awarded to Phillips Conservation District for sage grouse related projects.

Wildlife escape ramps are placed in livestock watering tanks as a means for trapped wildlife to escape possible drowning. Stock tanks benefit wildlife, but sometimes certain species of wildlife can become trapped and drown. Wildlife escape ramps are an easy, affordable way to avoid this problem. The ramps can also improve the water quality by eliminating deceased animals from contaminating the water.

The ramps were constructed using aluminum, which makes them lightweight and pliable, to easily conform to different tanks. The main benefit to using aluminum, instead of steel is that the aluminum will not rust, causing possible damage to the stock tanks.

Many producers are enrolled in NRCS cost share programs that require installation of wildlife ramps to their stock tanks, these ramps are NRCS approved.

The ramps are available for sale at Phillips Conservation District. For more information, call District Administrator Jenifer Anderson 654-1334 or stop by the office.