Blog Archives - The WYldlife Fund

Job Posting: Vice President

Job Posting

Title: Vice President

Position Structure: Full Time

Salary Range: $80,000-$110,000 based upon experience and qualifications

Reports To: President

Location: Wyoming, office location to be approved by the President

Anticipated Start Date: December 8, 2025

Job Summary:

The Vice President (VP) will act as a strategic advisor and principal partner to the President, helping to lead The WYldlife Fund (The Fund) with vision and purpose. This role combines visionary leadership with operational expertise to drive conservation initiatives, foster stakeholder and donor engagement, and support organizational growth—all in alignment with the Strategic Plan established by the Board of Directors.

The VP will be a key ambassador for The Fund, cultivating relationships with donors, driving fundraising, and ensuring alignment with The Fund’s and Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s mission to benefit Wyoming’s wildlife.

Key responsibilities:

● Co-develop and execute strategic fundraising plans alongside the President
● Demonstrate measurable return on investment for major gifts and strategic philanthropic initiatives
● Lead cross-functional initiatives that elevate the Fund’s visibility and impact
● Represent the Fund in high-level meetings, coalitions, and public forums
● Support and scale programs
● Evaluate new conservation opportunities and funding mechanisms
● Ensure programmatic alignment with the strategic plan, donor priorities and conservation outcomes
● Ensure clear communication of financial performance and organizational priorities to the board of directors and external stakeholders
● Cultivate relationships with donors, business partners, and government agencies
● Co-lead fundraising campaigns, grant development, and donor stewardship
● Design and host high-impact events to cultivate donor relationships
● Oversee all public-facing communications, including website management, regular social media content, paid advertising campaigns, and the coordination and production of the Annual Impact Report
● Assist in overseeing the fiscal operations of the Western Conservation Leadership Development Program, working in close partnership with the Program Director and Executive Committee
● Work closely with the President to manage monthly donations, track restricted funds, and collaborate with The Fund’s CPA to ensure accurate maintenance of monthly balance sheets, statements of activities, and profit and loss reports
● Collaborate with the President and the Fund’s CPA to ensure the accurate preparation and timely filing of the annual Form 990
● Assist in preparing materials for Board meetings and play an active role in facilitating and guiding meeting discussions
● Collaborate closely with the President, Board of Directors, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to guide strategic grantmaking and funding initiatives, while overseeing and evaluating the impact of these investments

Minimum Qualifications:
● Proven leadership in nonprofit, conservation or public policy sectors
● Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field preferred, but not required
● Working knowledge of non-profit administration and fundraising
● Demonstrated success leading an issue-based program or campaign
● Strong strategic thinking, communication and relationship-building skills
● Experience with fundraising, donor relations, and program development
● Knowledge of Wyoming’s wildlife, public lands, and conservation landscape

About The Fund:
The Fund was founded in 2019 by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission with a vision of working closely with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and stakeholders to conserve and enhance Wyoming’s wildlife resources. The Fund unites people to advance Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, and education. We are seeking an energetic, motivated, self-starting leader who is passionate about Wyoming’s wildlife resources to take aid in taking The Fund to the next level for current and future generations.
To learn more about The Fund, go to: thewyldlifefund.org.

To Apply: Email letter of interest and resume to: Chris McBarnes, President, The WYldlife Fund, at chris@thewyldlifefund.org. This vacancy announcement is open until filled. Please check in with Chris to get an update on the status of the process before submitting your application.

The WYldlife Fund provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

WYldlife for Tomorrow’s Most Successful Old Bill’s Yet

After a year away, WYldlife for Tomorrow was thrilled to once again take part in the Old Bill’s Fun Run and Giving Season this summer—and the results made every bit of effort worth it. This was our most successful Old Bill’s season to date, thanks to the generous support of donors like you!

A total of 58 individuals and businesses chose to support WYldlife for Tomorrow from among the 200+ participating nonprofits, raising over $72,000 for on-the-ground wildlife conservation in Teton County. With the Jackson Hole Community Foundation’s generous match, our total raised was just shy of $95,000!

Our Approach to Conservation

Wildlife conservation can feel like an overwhelming concept—there’s so much that needs to be done. To simplify our focus and amplify our impact, WYldlife for Tomorrow works within three core areas: wildlife research, habitat improvement, and connectivity.

Whether it’s delivering immediate benefits to wildlife and wild places or laying the groundwork through education to inspire tomorrow’s environmental stewards, WYldlife for Tomorrow puts Wyoming first. Donations during events like Old Bill’s help us turn our vision into real-world impact.

Local Projects Partially Funded by Old Bill’s Giving

Funds raised through Old Bill’s are designated for use within Teton County, and we’re excited to put this year’s earnings to work over the next year. Although these funds are restricted for use in Teton County, we anticipate meaningful ripple effects for wildlife populations across Western Wyoming.

In the past three years, Old Bill’s support has helped WYldlife for Tomorrow contribute to several impactful local efforts, including:

Installation of a fish passage on Spread Creek to support Snake River cutthroat trout
Wildlife-friendly fencing research and monitoring
GPS collaring of the Jackson elk herd
Sagebrush habitat restoration
South Flat Creek channel restoration
South Park wetlands enhancement
Wildlife crossings

We extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us during this year’s Old Bill’s Giving Season. The number of donors and the funds raised validate our ongoing work to connect Wyoming’s recreation and hospitality industries with meaningful, results-driven conservation.

We’re already looking forward to next year and growing our herd of supporters even more!

Breaking Ground: HWY 189 Wildlife Crossing is Underway

It won’t be long before Wyoming celebrates the completion of its newest major wildlife crossing, south of Kemmerer! This project is being made possible by a $24.3 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration, $4.2 million in WYDOT formula funds, and $8.8 million from 15 different partners and nonprofits, including over $6 million from the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust. The WYldlife Fund is also thrilled to have contributed over $900,000 to this important work, thanks to supporters like you! We are truly grateful to each of those listed below, whose generosity made this private gift possible. The U.S. Highway 189 Kemmerer South Wildlife Crossing Project officially broke ground earlier this month. Completion is expected in October 2027.

Each year, an average of 80 deer-vehicle collisions are reported annually along 189 – and the actual number is likely much higher when considering unreported incidents. The new crossing, located around mile marker 12.8 south of Kemmerer, is projected to reduce collisions by 80 – 90%. This is a win not only for drivers but also for the Carter Lease pronghorn herd and the Wyoming Range and Uinta deer herds that rely on this corridor.

South Kemmerer has long been identified as a priority zone by Wyoming Game and Fish, especially given the anticipated development and increased traffic from the planned nuclear power facility in the area. Once complete, the project will include seven underpasses, one overpass, and fencing along a 30 mile stretch of highway, dramatically improving safety for both wildlife and motorists.

While the new crossings themselves deserve a celebration, the collaboration that made them possible warrants equal recognition. The WYldlife Fund is proud to help conserve wildlife, reduce collisions, and connect landscapes across Wyoming, but we’re not the only player in the game. Funding for this project required teamwork by a wide array of stakeholders from many walks of life, and it’s through partnerships like these that we can continue to conserve wildlife, protect livelihoods, and build a brighter future together.

Thank you to every supporter who made this possible!

First Interstate Bank, Genesis Alkali Wyoming LP, Golf For Wildlife Supporters, Commissioner Mark Jolovich, Knobloch Family Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Muley Fanatic Foundation, Muley Fanatic Foundation-Blue Ridge Chapter, NextEra Energy Foundation, Rocky Mountain Power, SOS Well Services, Spire Storage, TC Soda Holdings Inc. (Project West), TerraPower, The WYldlife Fund, Williams, WYldlife For Tomorrow & Wyoming Wildlife Federation

Moving Forward – Phase Two of The Upper Sweetwater Fence Initiative

The Red Desert Fence Initiative continues to gain momentum with the launch of Phase 2, a critical step toward improving habitat connectivity and reducing wildlife barriers in Wyoming’s iconic Red Desert.

Building on the success of Phase 1, which began with the conversion of 15 miles of outdated woven wire fencing near South Pass, Phase 2 will expand these efforts in the northern Red Desert along the Sweetwater River corridor. This area is a vital intersection for several key species, including the Sublette pronghorn herd, mule deer, moose, elk, and sage grouse.

The fences in this region, many of which are deteriorating and topped with barbed wire, pose significant challenges to wildlife. GPS collar data from pronghorn clearly demonstrate that traditional fencing creates barriers to movement. In some areas, animals have gone to great lengths to bypass troublesome fences, digging beneath or pushing wires down to gain passage. Migration is already inherently dangerous, and poor fence conditions only increase the risk of injury or entanglement.

The goals of Phase 2 mirror those of the initial phase: replace harmful woven wire with wildlife-friendly fencing that includes barbless configurations, improved spacing, and strategic crossings. These upgrades will reduce mortality and improve ease of movement for wildlife in the area.

This major conservation effort is being led by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and WYldlife for Tomorrow is proud to pledge $10,000 in support. This contribution comes straight from the proceeds of the much-loved Pronghorn Pilsner. A heartfelt thanks goes to Wind River Brewing, one of our steadfast and valued partners, for making this possible! Since teaming up with WYldlife for Tomorrow, Wind River’s Pronghorn Pilsner has become their best selling brew – proving once again that successful business and impactful conservation can go hand in hand.

WYldlife for Tomorrow and Old Bill’s

WYldlife for Tomorrow is excited to once again take part in the Old Bill’s Fun Run in Jackson, Wyoming!

For those who aren’t familiar, Old Bill’s is one of the most successful community fundraising events in the nation. Each year, it supports nonprofits doing vital work throughout Teton County. While the event culminates in a lively community race and celebration on September 6, the true impact happens during the Giving Season, running from August 15 through September 6.

During this four-week window, any donation to WYldlife for Tomorrow will be matched by the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole—typically by around 50%, up to $30,000!

This year, WYldlife for Tomorrow will be putting money on the ground for a variety of conservation projects that directly impact Teton County wildlife. These projects include helping facilitate big game movement across the landscape, funding meaningful wildlife research, and supporting on-the-ground habitat improvement projects.

Are you a business owner looking to make an even bigger impact?
Join us for the first annual Observe to Conserve campaign, timed to coincide with Old Bill’s Giving Season – taking place the week of August 31 and culminating on National Wildlife Day, September 4.

This statewide initiative brings together wildlife-focused businesses—tour guides, float companies, photographers, dude ranches, and more—in a collaborative effort to raise awareness and support for conservation projects right here in Wyoming. By encouraging guests to give, your business can help protect the wild places they’ve come to experience—with every donation amplified by Old Bill’s matching funds.

From August 15 to September 6, every dollar goes further. And it takes all of us—individuals, businesses, and communities—to ensure Wyoming’s wildlife and wild places are protected for generations to come.

As a program of The WYldlife Fund, nonprofit partner of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, we’re uniquely positioned to support priority, boots-on-the-ground conservation work that makes a real difference. And there’s no better time for you to support these critical projects than in the coming weeks!

Conservation Never Tasted So Sweet

For nearly a century, the Jackson Drug building has anchored the northwest corner of Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming — a living relic of small-town charm. Ownership shifted hands a few times over the years and, sadly, its cherished role as a bustling soda fountain came to a pause in 2001 much to the dismay of tourists and locals alike.

But in 2010, the story began its full circle journey when the building returned to its original proprietors — the Gill family. Sisters Jessica and Nikki Gill, born and raised in Jackson, were eager to breathe new life into the iconic establishment. With a deep-rooted love for their hometown and a shared commitment to preserving its character, the sisters set out to restore Jackson Drug to its former glory.

Today, Jackson Drug is enjoying a vibrant revival. Jessica and Nikki have struck a balance between a nostalgic escape to simpler times and a refreshed menu that satisfies modern tastebuds. It’s more than a restaurant—it’s a step back in time and a celebration of what makes Jackson special.

For the Gill sisters, conservation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a way of life. They know that protecting Wyoming’s wildlife, wide-open spaces, and natural heritage is essential. That’s why they’ve found a delicious way to leverage their newfound Town Square success to support what they care about most.

Enter Moose Tracks ice cream: a blend of Oreos, chocolate caramel bites, and a rich caramel swirl folded into a creamy vanilla base. A portion of proceeds from every scoop sold is donated to WYldlife for Tomorrow which in turn helps fund priority conservation projects across the state as identified by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This is dessert with a purpose!

Like all of WYldlife for Tomorrow’s collaborations, this partnership with Jackson Drug is rooted in a shared passion for conserving wild Wyoming. It’s about meeting businesses where their strengths lie — in this case, in a scoop of handcrafted ice cream, and using those strengths to give back to the wild places and wild things we all cherish.

So here’s to Jessica and Nikki, for reviving a community treasure and more recently turning it into a beacon for conservation through collaboration with WYldlife for Tomorrow. Thank you for proving that conservation is fun, rewarding, and delicious.

Make ours a double scoop.

Back on Tap: A Conservation Collaboration Returns!

Few things bring us more joy than raising a cold beer in support of conservation—and as of this April, we’re thrilled to have another brew to toast with again. Our longtime friends and partners at Altitude Chophouse and Brewery are back on board with WYldlife for Tomorrow, and we couldn’t be more excited to continue this meaningful collaboration!

A Bit About Altitude

Altitude Chophouse and Brewery has been a beloved Laramie staple since 1999, founded by Karen Robillard and Greg Smith with a vision of blending a relaxed Western vibe with elevated food and drink. Over the past 25 years, Altitude has earned dozens of local, regional, and national awards for its expertly crafted beers. With head brewer Sean Minichiello at the helm, Karen and her team have built a reputation for brewing clean, consistent, and creative beers—and now, once again, we can add conservation-minded to that list.

WYldlife for Tomorrow and Altitude

Our partnership with Altitude began in 2023, when Karen and Sean launched the WYld Amber Ale in honor of WYldlife for Tomorrow. The label, designed by University of Wyoming graduate student Inna Willis, marked the start of a creative collaboration that not only celebrated local talent but also deepened our connection with UW. In many ways, that first beer helped spark our growing series of cobranded conservation products—from coffee and ice cream to hotel rooms and, yes, more beer.

Fast forward two years, and we’re thrilled to build on that momentum with some familiar faces. On April 25th, Karen unveiled a brand-new conservation-minded brew: the WYld Blonde Ale. Sean is still leading the brewing efforts with the help of Assistant Brewer Jovi Inman, and Inna returned to design another stunning label—this time featuring a striking fox illustration. Light, crisp, and perfect for summer, the WYld Blonde Ale is a refreshing addition to our shared mission.

Drink Beer, Support Wildlife

If you missed the launch party, don’t worry—you can still enjoy the WYld Blonde Ale on tap or in a to-go crowler at Altitude Chophouse and Brewery in Laramie. Just like the WYld Amber Ale before it, $1 from every pint sold supports WYldlife for Tomorrow and our on-the-ground efforts to protect Wyoming’s wildlife and wild places.

So here’s to great beer, great people, and an even greater cause. Join us in raising a glass to this renewed partnership—and to the animals and landscapes that make Wyoming wild.

Unwired Documentary Highlights Collaboration as a Cornerstone of Conservation

For those following recent conservation successes in Wyoming, the Red Desert likely rings a bell.

At the heart of Wyoming’s legendary pronghorn migration route and home to vital winter range, the Red Desert has long captured the attention of biologists seeking to safeguard the future of this iconic species.

Last year marked a major conservation milestone for Wyoming’s pronghorn, and the University of Wyoming’s new documentary, Unwired—released on April 30—tells the story of how collaboration drove a groundbreaking achievement for the species.

For more than 70 years, biologists have documented the hardships pronghorn face during winter migration, especially in severe winters. Highways and fences pose major threats, with exclusionary fencing proving particularly deadly during brutal winter seasons like 2022–23.

The Sublette pronghorn herd lost 43% of its population – or roughly 4,000 animals – during that notably harsh winter. A major factor? Inaccessible winter habitat in the Red Desert due to fencing that blocks critical winter range. Unwired focuses on a partnership between local rancher Tom Chant and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to find a solution to allow for his ranch to fully operate while promoting pronghorn winter survival.

Last summer, boots hit the ground and shovels hit the dirt as a diverse coalition of partners worked side by side to remove exclusionary fencing and replace it with a wildlife-friendly alternative. These new fences allow pronghorn—poor jumpers—to crawl underneath, while still containing cattle and horses. In just 45 days, 23 miles of fencing were replaced, reconnecting 18,000 acres of prime winter range that had been inaccessible to pronghorn for 75 years.

This story, so beautifully outlined in Unwired, was largely funded by The Knobloch Family Foundation, Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, and The WYldlife Fund. The short film itself – winner of The Best Film about Wyoming Award at the Wild and Working Lands Film Festival – can be viewed here.

While the 18,000 acres celebrated in Unwired is a huge success, at least 94,000 acres of critical habitat in the Red Desert remain inaccessible due to more than 50 miles of exclusionary fencing. WYldlife for Tomorrow and WYldlife Fund are actively raising support to continue this important work through the Red Desert Fence Initiative, with phase two set to begin this summer with the additional 15 miles of fence conversion.