Blaine Potts, SWORC & HPORC
Who is your employer, and what is your official job title?
Bureau of Land Management, Outdoor Recreation Planner.
What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
Working with all of the amazing field planners throughout the state is the best part of my job. We really have some great people here in the Wyoming BLM.
What are some projects you are currently working on?
Budget is always ever-present; I have also been busy coordinating with the Foundation for America's Public Lands. We have some great projects in the Cody, Lander, and Rock Springs offices that are coming together that will improve outdoor recreation opportunities. Kemmerer is also looking to expand their OHV area by Mountain View in collaboration with the Wyoming State Trails folks, so we are excited about that, as well.
What's something about you that not many people know?
I have been working in the recreation industry since I was 13 and have served almost every level of government including local municipalities, county, and now federal. I have not done a stint in state recreation yet, but maybe that can be my retirement plan!
What is your favorite place to spend time outdoors in Wyoming?
It is so hard to pick just one, as we have some incredible resources here in Wyoming. Pine Creek was certainly a favorite when I lived in Kemmerer. Yellowstone was another popular family favorite. It is always fun to get a little stinky in Thermopolis, and the Red Desert never leaves your blood. I also love all of the historic locations too - Dale Creek, Guernsey, and Lombard's Ferry, to name a few. I am so blessed to work and play in practically the same office.
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Event Highlight: The 4th Annual Bighorn Blueway Community Float was a hit! Showcasing 2 new BLM boat ramps at Eagle's Nest and Red Rim Meadows, the float drew around 50 floaters this year!
Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, September 1st, 5-7p.m., Ten Sleep Public Library, 200 Fir St, Ten Sleep, WY or Join Here.
| Bighorn Blueway Community Float, August 1st | | | |
Upcoming Event: Sheridan Community Land Trust's 20th Anniversary Backyard BBQ, Wednesday, August 26th.
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, September 2nd, 5-7p.m., Johnson County Library, 171 N Adams Ave, Buffalo, WY or Join Here.
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Upcoming Event: Glendo Lake Trail Race- Saturday, October 10th, presented by the Outdoor Enthusiasts of Converse County and Glendo State Park.
Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, September 22nd, 5-7p.m., Platte County Public Library, 904 9th St, Wheatland, WY or Join Here.
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Upcoming Event: Leavitt Creek Habitat Enhancements, September 24-26th, BLM Kemmerer Field Office.
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, September 30th, 5-7p.m., Uinta County Library, 701 Main St, Evanston, WY or Join Here.
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Project Highlight: The Sublette County Simplified Recreation Map subcommittee has continued to make progress this summer. The subcommittee met in June and is currently working to develop an online resource for recreation in Sublette County.
Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, September 24th, 5-7 p.m., Sublette County Visitor's Center, 101 Front Street, Big Piney, WY or Join Here.
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Project Highlight: Saturday, September 19th, Platte River Trails Presents DogFest 2026, promoting responsible recreation through education and awareness of dogs on the trails.
Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, September 8th 5-7p.m., Platte River Trails, 1775 W 1st St West Entrance, Casper, WY or Join Here.
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Project Highlight: Bent Sprockets has recently partnered with the Wyoming Sportsman's Group to install a porta-potty at the Flying V Trailhead.
Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, September 3rd 5-7p.m., Weston County Library, 23 W Main St, Newcastle, WY or Join Here.
| Photo Credit: Bent Sprockets | | | |
Project Highlight: The Belfry Bridge Improvement Project continues to gain momentum, and is hoping to renovate the restrooms, reconfigure the traffic flow and parking, and revamp the boat ramp.
Upcoming Meeting: Wednesday, September 9th, 5-7p.m., WGFD-Cody Regional Office, 2 Tilden Trl, Cody, WY or Join Here.
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Event Highlight: Tunes on the Trail was held at Seminoe State Park on Saturday, July 11th. Box of Rocks performed at the event, hosted by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, Wyoming State Parks, and the Wyoming Arts Council.
Upcoming Meeting: Wed, September 29th, 5-7p.m., Carbon County Higher Education Center, 1650 Harshman St, Rawlins, WY or Join Here.
| Photo: Box of Rocks with staff members Karryn MacDonald & Jamie Hansen for Tunes on the Trail | | | |
Project Highlight: The Sweetwater Mountain Bike Association has been given the go ahead to expand The Wilkins Peak Trail System. SMBA has paid for a Paleo Survey, and the NEPA documents are now complete.
Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, September 29th, 5-7p.m., Rock Springs Library, 400 C St, Rock Springs, WY or Join Here.
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Project Highlight: The Country Gardens section of the Popo Agie River has faced active erosion and streambank instability for several years now. The WGFD, OSLI, and Popo Agie Conservation District (PACD) teamed up to come up with a solution. In partnership with the WWNRT and ORTTF, the project is fully funded and set to begin construction in the Fall of 2027.
Upcoming Meeting: Thursday, September 10th, 5-7p.m., Riverton City Administration, 816 N Federal Blvd, Riverton, WY 82501 or Join Here.
| Photo Credit: WGFD, OSLI, and PACD; Location: Country Gardens Popo Agie River | |
Project Highlight: A subcommittee has been formed to tackle the idea of creating a bike park in Jackson. Several locations are currently being explored. To join the subcommittee, please email Amy Crawford at amy.crawford@wyo.gov.
Upcoming Meeting: Tuesday, September 15th, 5-7p.m.
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The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation is excited to welcome Karryn MacDonald as its new Outdoor Recreation Specialist! In her new role, she will support outdoor recreation collaboratives and work with communities across Wyoming to strengthen outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the state.
Originally from Carpenter, Wyoming, Karryn grew up in a big hunting family that fostered an early appreciation for the outdoors - though fishing has always been her true passion. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wyoming and brings public service experience at the federal, local, and now state levels. Based in Laramie, Karryn enjoys hiking, fishing, catching a hockey game, and taking leisurely walks with her geriatric Chihuahua.
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Hot summer temperatures and low water flows are warming many of Wyoming’s rivers and streams, putting additional stress on trout and other cold-water fish. Anglers can help protect Wyoming’s fisheries by adjusting when, where and how they fish.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recommends fishing early in the morning, carrying a pocket thermometer and avoiding catch-and-release fishing when water temperatures reach 70°F. Anglers can also reduce stress on fish by landing them quickly, keeping them in the water as much as possible and using barbless hooks.
Several waters across Wyoming currently have temperature-related fishing closures or advisories, so be sure to check conditions before heading out.
For current closures, advisories and tips for fishing responsibly during hot weather, click here.
| | | Outdoor Recreation Funding Opportunities | |
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Non-Motorized Grant Program
Description: The Wyoming State Trails Program is accepting applications for the Non-Motorized Trails Grant Program, a one-time competitive funding opportunity established by the Wyoming Legislature for the 2026–2028 biennium. The program supports shovel-ready projects that increase natural-surface, non-motorized recreation opportunities on publicly accessible lands throughout Wyoming.
Application Deadline: October 1st, 2026
Total Funding Available: $800,000
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Polaris Trails Grant Program
Description: The Polaris TRAILS Grant program is accepting applications through September 1st. Funds can be used by organizations for off-road trail development and maintenance projects, safety and education initiatives, and other projects to increase and maintain land trail access.
Deadline: September 1st, 2026
Amount: Up to $10,000
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