University of Wyoming

I love visiting the great American West. Every time, I leave in awe of all I have seen. I am not a stranger to diverse landscapes coming from my home state of Georgia, with its mountains, forests and coastline.

The rolling prairie lands of northeastern Wyoming have been a paradise of lush, knee-deep grass for sheep, cattle and pronghorn antelope this summer. But it’s a different green — greener energy — that geologist Fred McLaughlin seeks as he drills nearly two miles into the ground.

Take a drive through the countryside in many states and chances are you’ll catch the familiar sight of cattle roaming pastures and rangeland. As you move west, the rangeland gets more expansive and you’ll see fewer private property signs.