 Wyoming is an energy state with a wealth of subsurface commodities such as coal and natural gas. The extraction process of these goods requires the removal of soil and vegetation, which in time are reclaimed. The reclamation process begins prior to the disturbance of an area. It includes a baseline inventory to understand the ecological values and functions of a site that are important to reclaim post-disturbance. The reclamation process continues as soil is removed and stored in separate piles. The disturbed area will be returned to its pre-disturbance functionality through backfilling subsoils and grading to blend with adjacent topography. Once the topsoil is reapplied, a firm seedbed is prepared to ensure optimal seed-soil contact and appropriate plants are seeded. The reseeding method and equipment used are influenced by seed size, which determines the depth a seed should be planted. The final step is to monitor for ecological functionality, including the management of weeds and soil erosion, until the desired plants are well established. Reclamation in Wyoming is an art in science and the process will vary on the commodity being extracted, the vegetation and soil types, and the topography among other factors. From the University of Wyoming Extension, I'm Wendy Kelly, Exploring the Nature of Wyoming.