Fences have been around for more than 10,000 years, dating back to the Neolithic period, when early humans began farming and needed enclosures for their livestock. Initially, these fences were basic structures crafted from readily available materials such as piled stones, stacked brush, and woven branches. As societies progressed, the methods and techniques of fencing also evolved. Over time, new materials such as iron were developed, enhancing the durability and functionality of fencing. The primary purpose of constructing fences is to keep things either in or out. In the West, as fencing became more common during European expansion and more sophisticated—especially with the introduction of barbed wire in the late 1800s—it became increasingly effective at serving this purpose. However, this efficiency has come at a significant cost to wildlife, whose migrations across the landscape are guided by instinct rather than by human-made barriers. The Impact of Fencing on Wildlife Movement Wildlife requires the ability to move freely in search of food, water, shelter, and mates. Fences can obstruct migration routes, fragment habitats, and even cause injury or death to animals trying to navigate them. Additionally, fences can isolate animal populations, restricting their access to vital resources like food, water, and mates. This habitat fragmentation can reduce genetic diversity and make populations more vulnerable to disease. In California, fencing didn’t really hit the scene until the late 19th century, when European settlers began farming vast areas, significantly altering the landscape. Before that, wild herds of grazing megafauna, such as tule elk, pronghorn, and mule deer, roamed and migrated across the grass-covered hills, maintaining an ecological balance we may never fully regain. Over the past 150 years, what began as limited, fenced-off areas became an extensive network of barriers. Hundreds of thousands of miles of fenceline now crisscross the Western US, creating extensive barriers to animal movement. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Agricultural objectives and conservation objectives can work hand in hand, and we can collaborate to develop systems that promote biodiversity while sustaining livestock populations. It just takes a little compromise.