November 2024 - The WYldlife Fund

The WYld Room: A First-of-its-Kind Partnership with the Riviera Motor Lodge

The idea started just a couple of years ago at the Wyoming Governor’s Hospitality and Tourism Conference in Cheyenne. Kim Hytrek, General Manager of the Riviera Motor Lodge, stumbled upon the booth for WYldlife for Tomorrow – a signature program of The WYldlife Fund – and struck up a conversation with President Chris McBarnes. After learning about the program’s mission to pair business and tourism partners with wildlife conservation efforts, Kim left the conference with one thought: “This is something I really want to do.”

A champion of new and innovative ideas, Kim saw the opportunity to help protect the state she loves while promoting local business. A partnership with WYldlife for Tomorrow felt like a no brainer.

The Birth of an Idea

Upon returning to Saratoga, Kim began brainstorming with Riviera Motor Lodge Owner John Evans about creative ways to support wildlife conservation through WYldlife for Tomorrow. Shortly thereafter, the idea for The WYld Room was born.

John wanted to showcase the seasons, landscape, and wildlife of the Platte Valley, and what better way to do so than with a mural in one of the Riviera Motor Lodge rooms? The idea quickly took shape, and Kim and John reached out to local artist Lori Kostur to bring it to life.

Lori, a Wyoming resident for over thirty years and a Saratoga local for the past decade, was the perfect fit. She was eager to accept the challenge: “Wyoming is all about the wildlife and the landscape. People come for that reason, and if you’re not promoting that or preserving it you’re going to lose it. It’s the most important thing we have going in Wyoming.

Execution of the Plan

The vision for The WYld Room was simple: create a mural that would cover an entire wall, celebrating Wyoming’s wildlife and natural beauty. After three weeks of hard work Lori’s stunning wildlife mural was complete, transforming the room into an immersive experience. Now, it’s all about bringing in the visitors. For Kim, “It’s important to create a transformational experience for the guests. They could walk into this room and stare at the mural all night.”

More than that, however, “It’s important to educate about natural resources. Of course we want to drive reservations and support funding for The WYldlife Fund as well,” says Hytrek.

Through this innovative partnership, guests who reserve The WYld Room at the Riviera Motor Lodge can feel good knowing that a percentage of their room fee will be donated to WYldlife for Tomorrow – a signature program of The WYldlife Fund – and directly support conservation efforts in Wyoming.

Chris McBarnes, President of The WYldlife Fund, is quick to acknowledge the significance of the partnership: “Businesses like the Riviera Motor Lodge stepping forward to support sustainable wildlife conservation is a really big deal.”

About the Riviera Motor Lodge

The Riviera Motor Lodge was purchased by the Evans family in 2022. Born and raised in Saratoga, the Evans siblings are passionate about showcasing everything this beautiful region of Wyoming has to offer. Since acquiring the property, they have been busy remodeling each of their 40 guest rooms with the final renovations scheduled for completion this winter. The WYld Room, which features a comfortable king bed and scenic views of the North Platte River, is one of many highlights of the newly refurbished lodge.

In addition to room upgrades, the Riviera has invested in one of its most popular features – the Riverfront Lawn. “As we’ve grown, we’ve come to learn that the backyard is one of guests’ most favorite parts of staying with us,” notes General Manager Kim Hytrek. Located on the banks of the North Platte River, the lawn is the perfect spot to host a wedding, event, or simply enjoy a sunset by the campfire. As an added bonus, complimentary bicycles and snowshoes are available for all guests to use during their stay.

WYldlife for Tomorrow Continues to Grow with Addition of Program Director Breanna Ball

WYldlife for Tomorrow, a proud signature program of The WYldlife Fund, was started in 2021, and the program’s steady growth has continued since day one. Now, deep into its fourth year of operation, WYldlife for Tomorrow is thrilled to announce the onboarding of its first full-time, paid employee – Program Director Breanna Ball. Following a highly competitive hiring process, Breanna was selected to join the team this October and will begin her meaningful work with the program in early December.

As an avid angler and hunter, Breanna draws inspiration from the outdoors and understands the importance of conserving our wildlife and their habitats. She previously served as the Public Information Officer for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department where she was responsible for leading statewide communication efforts and developing strategic communication plans. Her passion for Wyoming’s wildlife and dedication to responsible stewardship drives her mission to inspire others to appreciate and conserve our state’s natural resources. Whether she’s riding through the mountains or casting a line in the Wyoming Range, Breanna’s love for the outdoors fuels her mission to promote conservation and connect people with the beauty of Wyoming’s landscapes.

In her new role as Program Director for WYldlife for Tomorrow, Breanna will be charged with helping advance statewide fundraising and conservation efforts by fostering relationships with business partners around Wyoming. Her experience in building public support for wildlife conservation initiatives will be invaluable as WYldlife for Tomorrow continues to grow and expand its impact.

As the program enters this exciting new chapter, Breanna’s leadership will play a pivotal role in strengthening its mission to ensure a vibrant, sustainable future for Wyoming’s wildlife. She will work closely with local communities, businesses, and outdoor enthusiasts to create opportunities for engagement and education, empowering the next generation of conservationists.

WYldlife for Tomorrow and The WYldlife Fund would like to publicly thank the Storer and Hughes Charitable Foundation for making this hire possible. Their generous support helps ensure that the program can continue its critical work promoting wildlife conservation across the state.

DSC of Wyoming Contributes $41,000 to The Pronghorn Fund

Dallas Safari Club of Wyoming Contributes $41,000 to The Pronghorn Fund

Hunting and Conservation Group Augments The WYldLife Fund’s Latest Initiative

Casper, Wyoming, November 2024 — DSC of Wyoming, a 501(c)3 Wyoming nonprofit and chapter of the Dallas Safari Club, has added over forty thousand dollars to The Pronghorn Fund, a growing endowment inspired by the extraordinary contributions of Rich and Mary Guenzel.

“DSC of Wyoming board members Patrick Ginder and Jamie Moralez immediately understood the purpose and importance of The Pronghorn Fund,” says President Geoffrey Smith. “Our entire board agreed that the new endowment was a leap forward in further understanding, conservation, and support of this western icon.” “Moreover,” states Smith, “parent foundation The WYldLife Fund has wisely constructed The Pronghorn Fund as a restricted endowment. This means its resources will be focused on the Pronghorn, and administered to be a persistent asset for the species.”

The WYldLife Fund President Chris McBarnes comments, “The Pronghorn is a Wyoming crown jewel. We are sothankful for the trailblazers who have established and support The Pronghorn Fund.” Smith adds, “How often have we heard ‘just out for an antelope’? Turns out, the pronghorn isn’t actually an antelope, nor is it ‘just a’. I’ll save the surprise, but the reader will be a bit aghast when exploring the phrase ‘Pronghorn taxonomy’ through any Internet search.”

DSC of Wyoming is a 501(c)3 nonprofit affiliate and state chapter of Dallas Safari Club. The Mission of DSC of Wyoming is to advocate for hunting and fishing rights in the state of Wyoming, to support and encourage the engagement and education of youth, sportsmen and sportswomen, and to foster the conservation of our outdoor heritage for future generations.

To learn more about The Pronghorn Fund and how you can help support this iconic species in Wyoming, click here!