Our Story

Faced with a number of private donors desiring to support wildlife causes that aligned with the strategic vision and mission of the Department, and no proper channel for these funds to be accepted and deployed, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (Commission), in tandem with the Department, gathered stakeholders and decision makers from across Wyoming; forming a steering committee in pursuit of a resolution…The WYldlife Fund was created in 2019.

Through its strategic partnership with the Department, the Fund was granted tax exempt status as a 501c3, providing donors with full tax deductible benefits and ensurance of targeted funding to the donor’s project of choice. Despite working closely with the Commission and the Department, the Fund remains an autonomous entity. Steadfast in its mission to Wyoming wildlife, the Fund is a lean and efficient organization comprised of one employee, a seven-member Board of Directors and Ex Officio Honorary Director, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director, Brian Nesvik.

The Fund cares about people just as much as it does wildlife. With great focus on conserving people’s love of wildlife; the Fund aims to unify and synergize conservation by supporting the wildlife preservation efforts of other non-governmental entities in Wyoming through the facilitation of grant agreements with the Department.

Furthermore, the mission and vision of The WYldlife Fund contains the following:

• To unite people to advance Wyoming habitat, research, and education;
• To promote sustainable use of Wyoming’s wildlife habitats and natural resources for future generations;
• To promote conservation and responsible conservation and enhancement of Wyoming’s fish, wildlife, natural resources, and outdoor recreational opportunities through education and advocacy;
• To help assure the future of high quality hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities in Wyoming;
• To develop, promote and participate in conservation education programs for educators, students and all other Wyoming citizens;
• To acquire and provide financial support for properties and facilities for conservation education programs, wildlife habitat, and land for game and fish conservation and enhancement programs through gifts, donations, bequests, and grants;
• To acquire and provide financial support for fisheries and wildlife research projects as a means of promoting scientifically sound fish and wildlife conservation and enhancement decisions; and
• To coordinate fundraising activities to be congruent with Wyoming’s fish and wildlife conservation priorities and needs.