2022 WYldlife Fund Impact Report - Click here to view!
The WYldlife Fund
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our Board & Staff
    • Annual Reports
  • Programs
    • Wildlife Crossings
    • Education
    • Habitat Improvements
    • Signature Programs
    • Microgrants
    • Kids Corner
    • Wildlife Directory
  • Wyldlife for Tomorrow
    • About WYldlife for Tomorrow
    • Join Us
    • Our Vision
    • Business Partners
    • Wyldlife for Tomorrow Projects
    • Donate to WYldlife for Tomorrow
  • News & Happenings
  • Get Involved
    • Donate Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Support a Project
    • Planned Giving
    • Online Store
    • Sign Up for our Newsletter
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Menu Menu

From Concept to Capitol in a Year!

8.1 MILLION people can’t be wrong!

Yes, that’s right…MILLION, and what are they not wrong about? How wonderful it is to visit Wyoming. To put it into perspective, sixteen times our actual population traveled to make a memory here last year. Wildlife viewing was at the top of their list of activities.

In 2022, it seems that we are united in the need to reconnect to nature by making pilgrimages to incredible vistas, seeing magnificent wildlife, and pursuing other recreational opportunities, and in that respect Wyoming has it all. This is why those more than eight million visitors wend their way from nearby states or from across the globe to spend 4 BILLION DOLLARS*, which helps to employ 30.4K workers* and generates $243 million in tax receipts.*

Wildlife viewing in Grand Teton National Park. Photo courtesy of Taylor Glenn.

While that is pretty impressive, there is a conundrum: wildlife-watching opportunities are at the very top of the list of what visitors want, and even though all those taxes make their way to and through towns and counties to our capitol in Cheyenne, none of it goes directly to wildlife or habitat. That is because the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD), which is responsible for wildlife, is not funded through state general funds, meaning their revenue comes only from hunting licenses, federal excise taxes, and some grants.

But, remember those 8.1 million people, most of whom come to look for wildlife?

Well, Taylor Phillips, whose primary business is providing wildlife-viewing guided excursions in Wyoming through his business EcoTour Adventures, came up with a way for the revenue generated by Wyoming visitors to give back. That is how Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow was born.

Just as springtime brings new life to the environment, it has become the season of milestones in the progress of Taylor’s initiative. March of 2020 saw the department’s supporting organization, The Wyldlife Fund, led by Chris McBarnes, launched into the stormy seas of COVID. The following spring of 2021, Chris McBarnes, Chris Colligan of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and Taylor ventured out on the ice of Jackson Lake for a social, if somewhat soggy fishing trip, for beers and ideas and strategizing to develop Taylor’s dream to capture conservation funding from the existing tourism economy.

This spring more than 60 businesses—businesses that not only depend on wildlife-seeking visitors, but also benefit economically from their presence— have already enrolled to give back. Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow, as a flagship initiative of The Wyldlife Fund, has given over $100,000 to date, to important projects such as wildlife crossings, wildlife-friendly fencing, elk collaring research, and improving aquatic and terrestrial habitat.

These encouraging results, together with the dedication, enthusiasm, and tenacity of Taylor, as well as the hard work and support of Wyldlife Fund President Chris McBarnes, led WGFD Director Brian Nesvik to arrange a meeting with Governor Gordon and his Policy Director, Renny McKay at the Capitol in Cheyenne on March 21st. Taylor, Chris, and Board Secretary Penny Maldonado were honored to share the progress being made by The Wyldlife Fund and Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow. Wyoming has always been a leader and as Renny explained, while hunting remains incredibly popular in Wyoming, even as some other states are experiencing declining participation, the prospect of opening up an alternative funding stream from tourism revenue in addition to traditional sources would enhance conservation through on the ground projects.

Left to right: Brian Nesvik, Director of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department; Governor Gordon; Taylor Phillips, Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow founder; Chris McBarnes, President of The WYldlife Fund; & Penny Maldonado, member of the Board of Directors for The WYldlife Fund.

The meeting was a fantastic opportunity to embrace the mutual love of wildlife, wildlands, and, of course, Wyoming, and the desire to find ways for more people to be able to contribute to critical conservation needs. The group left with confidence going forward because of Director Nesvik’s resounding endorsement of Taylor and Chris’s efforts, and with the warm and attentive reception by Governor Gordon and Renny. The Wyldlife Fund and Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow are grateful for the time spent at the Capitol and look forward to more exciting milestones as the opportunity to invest in conservation funding expands.

*2021 year in review WOT

Written by Penny Maldonado, Board Member of The WYldlife Fund

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://thewyldlifefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IMG_5552.jpeg 768 1024 Jenna RefreshJH https://thewyldlifefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WyldlifeFund-LogoWhite.png Jenna RefreshJH2022-05-03 20:38:102023-03-01 20:41:39From Concept to Capitol in a Year!

Follow us on Instagram!

Wildlife has captivated mankind for thousands of y Wildlife has captivated mankind for thousands of years! Here, @thewyldlifefund, we are uniting people to advance Wyoming wildlife habitat, research, and education! We aim to protect and conserve wildlife for generations to come! 

#wyoming #wildlifeconservation #ancientart #huntingislife #huntingisconservation
The WYldlife Fund is happy to announce the winner The WYldlife Fund is happy to announce the winner of our Kifaru pack. Ron Orr of Rock Springs was the lucky winner at Mule Deer Days! Congratulations Ron!
We are PUMPED to announce $77,500 in funding for w We are PUMPED to announce $77,500 in funding for wildlife-friendly crossings in southwest Wyoming from some incredible industry partners:

@williamsenergy 
Next Era Energy Resources
Project West
@rockymountainpower 
@spireenergy 
TerraPower

have combined forces to keep wildlife safe and drivers on the go. These generous donations will be directed to the South Kemmerer HWY189 Project. 5 new underpasses, 1 new overpass and 56 miles of big game fencing will be installed to positively impact the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Herd, Uinta Mule Deer Herd and Carter Lease Pronghorn Herd. THANK YOU!

🦌Check out the link in our BIO for the full story🦌

A BIG thank you to our friends at the @wyomingwildlife and @jesscjohnson_ for helping with conversations that led to support for this important crossing project! 👏🏻 

#wyomingwildlife #thatswy #wyominggameandfishdepartment #wildlifecrossings #wildlifecrossingstructures #migration #muledeer #pronghorn
🦌🚨The WYldlife Fund is proud to announce ove 🦌🚨The WYldlife Fund is proud to announce over $900,000 in grants to strengthen Wyoming's wildlife through enhancing voluntary conservation of private, working lands and Tribal lands within big game migration corridors.🚨🦌

Recipients of the first round of the Pooled Migration Fund grant are the @greateryellowstone: $175,000, @jhlandtrust: $200,000, @nature_org: $112,156, @westernlandowners: $200,000 and @wyomingstockgrowersassn Land Trust: $228,350. 

🚨Head to link in BIO to read our full press release and details on this initiative🚨

#migration #thatswy #usda #wgfd #wyoming #wyomingwildlife
If you know a Wyoming kid that shows promise and c If you know a Wyoming kid that shows promise and could use a little inspiration, please share the 🔥LINK IN BIO🔥

This camp is a life-changing, monumental opportunity for young boys and girls! The Fund is working hard to grow and inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and conservationists.

We are excited to partner with our friends at @littlejennieranch , @sportingleadfree , @joeysflyfishing , @first_hunt_foundation , @wyo4h and the @wygameandfish to make this camp a reality again this year!

#inspireakid #itsforlife #littlejennieranch
Do you know a Wyoming kiddo who would be the perfe Do you know a Wyoming kiddo who would be the perfect applicant for this year's Inspire a Kid Camps? If so, check out the 🚨LINK IN BIO🚨 and share out this opportunity. This year, with the leadership of @fhammz @hamlinpops and the @littlejennieranch we will be hosting TWO camps, one for boys and one for girls in June. This is a one of a kind, immersive western experience for the leaders of the future! Application deadline is March 13th at 4pm.

Reach out to us at (307)316-3863 or chris@thewyldlifefund.org for more details.

Additional partners who make this camp possible include: @joeysflyfishing , @sportingleadfree , @wyo4h , and @first_hunt_foundation 

#inspireakid #littlejennieranch #wyominggameandfishdepartment #thatswy #wyomingwildlife #leadershipdevelopment #conservation
Thank you @yourjacksonagent for your incredible gi Thank you @yourjacksonagent for your incredible gift to our signature initiative WYldlife For Tomorrow! WFT allows a channel for our partners in the tourism sector to contribute to on the ground wildlife projects!

Here’s what Austin has to say about the initiative!

Wyldlife for Tomorrow is my favorite initiative of @thewyldlifefund . With projects underway in the South Park wetlands and Grand Teton National Park, I’m proud to support their cause and I’m excited to see what @tetontay and @dawsonksmith have in store for years to come. If you are looking to give back to the Wyldlife community, consider this amazing initiative! 

#wyldlifefortomorrow #thewyldfund #yourjacksonagent #austinobryhimsf #jacksonwyoming #jacksonwy #wyoming #jacksonhole
#inspireakid #wyomingwildlife #keepitwyld #thewyldlifefund #jointhepack #keepwywild #wyominggameandfishdepartment
The My Wild Land showing in Sheridan on Wednesday The My Wild Land showing in Sheridan on Wednesday evening was a huge success! A big thank you to @sheridanclt and @tnc_wyoming for their partnership in making this event possible. Wildlife conservation in Wyoming is truly a dynamic team effort. Wyoming's ranchers who keep working lands; 'working', are truly all-stars who do so much for the wildlife we love.

My Wild Land is presented by @muleyfanaticfoundation with support from @mavenbuilt 

📸 Photos of showing by Meghan Kent, SCLT.
Bighorn sheep 📸 photo credit, Emily Reed, Wyoming Migration Initiative at the University of Wyoming
Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners Gay Lynn Byrd Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners Gay Lynn Byrd and Peter Dube completed their final Game and Fish Commission meeting this week in Cheyenne. They have served our state in this capacity for the last 6 years. We are unable to thank them enough for their constant efforts and dedication to the people and wildlife of Wyoming. In addition, without their visionary leadership and guidance @thewyldlifefund would not be here today. Thank you Commissioners Byrd and Dube! We appreciate all you have done.
@thewyldlifefund was proud to attend this great ev @thewyldlifefund was proud to attend this great event celebrating 35 years of wildlife art at the @wildlifeartjh . Thanks to Board Member @tetontay of @jacksonholeecotours for co-sponsoring this event with the @wygameandfish and The Fund.

Join Us

Newsletter Signup

Find us on Facebook!

Wildlife Crossings
Education
Habitat
Our Story
Contact
Newsletter Sign Up

THE WYLDLIFE FUND
PO Box 890
Buffalo, WY 82834

The WYldlife Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3.
EIN: 83-2290091

© Copyright 2022 The WYldlife Fund

PRIVACY POLICY | TAX DOCUMENTS

Wildlife Crossings
Education
Habitat
Our Story
Contact

THE WYLDLIFE FUND
PO Box 890, Buffalo, WY 82834

The WYldlife Fund is a non-profit 501(c)3.
EIN: 83-2290091

© Copyright 2021 The WYldlife Fund
PRIVACY POLICY | TAX DOCUMENTS

Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only