About JORDAN
This position is the first of its kind focusing on conservation efforts tailored towards one of the longest mule deer migration corridor routes in North America and surrounding wintering range. The BLM’s Arizona Strip District includes the northern portion of the Kaibab Plateau mule deer herd, which is part of the larger Kaibab – Paunsaugunt mule deer migration corridor that extends from Southern Utah to the Kaibab Plateau and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (approx. 2.8 million acres). For over a decade landowners, lessees, the land management agencies, and the state wildlife agencies have worked strategically to identify and implement priority projects. To ensure continued project planning, development, coordination, compliance, management and oversight the partnership established this position in June of 2020 and hired Jordan Menge in 2023. Menge’s position provides a key role as a liaison maximizing the benefits of financial resources to develop substantive proposals and projects for improving wildlife habitat, increasing the economic viability of permit holders, and building cross boundary relationships that will enable landscape-level restoration of sagebrush and strengthen the conservation ethic in the communities on the Arizona Strip. He serves as a member of the BLM Arizona Strip District’s Integrated Vegetation Management Team (IVMT), increasing BLM’s and partner’s capacity to complete landscape-level watershed implementation plans, develop a package of NEPA-ready projects awaiting funding, and strengthen BLM’s relationship with their permit holders and conservation partners. His position will assist with increasing the scale and scope of current vegetation treatment capacity and accelerate the collaborative work of partners through an existing RCPP grant focused on implementing projects on the Arizona Strip for the benefit of wildlife, particularly mule deer.
Menge’s position is hosted by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever with funding for his position being provided by BLM, Pheasants and Quail Forever, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and IWJV. Other partners include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Mule Deer Foundation, Arizona Deer Association, U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
BLM Offices Supported: Arizona Strip BLM District Office
Position Established: 2020
