Wildlife Tourism For Tomorrow Initiative Launches to Support Conservation
Along with our partners The WYldlife Fund, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and the Cougar Fund, Ecotour Adventures is proud to announce the launch of Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow, an initiative that inspires the businesses and individuals who depend upon Wyoming’s Wildlife to give back. Funds raised from WTFT will go directly to critical on-the-ground projects that benefit Wyoming’s wildlife and ecotourism across the state, including Wildlife Crossings, Wildlife Friendly Fencing, Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitat improvements.
The initiative was launched yesterday April 20th during an EcoTour of Grand Teton National Park with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and leadership including Director Brian Nesvik, National Elk Refuge Manager Frank Durbian, GTNP Superintendent Chip Jenkens, local media, and our partners. During the tour our naturalists shared the diverse wildlife and landscapes of Grand Teton National Park, articulating the importance of wildlife tourism to our community and state, and the opportunities to help contribute to the conservation of our shared wildlife legacy.
At the famous Snake River Overlook, we took in views of the Teton range with migrating elk below, and were amazed to also spot four gray wolves traveling along the river terrace. In the spring of every year, thousands of elk leave winter range on the National Elk Refuge and migrate across a complex network of state, federal, and private lands. In NW Wyoming, we have a full complement of native species that support our wildlife-watching economy. It was an honor to be able to share this experience, watching wolves and elk share the landscape, with the wildlife decision-makers and federal land decision-makers at the same time, exposing them to the wildlife that attracts millions of people to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
“There is great potential to build partnerships with businesses in the tourism sector to help fund critical on-the-ground wildlife projects,” said Pete Dube, Game and Fish Commission president, who serves on The WYldlife Fund board. “I was able to see first-hand today on a Wildlife Tourism For Tomorrow tour, with EcoTour Adventures and The WYldlife Fund. This initiative will be an advantageous avenue for all businesses to make donations to support Wyoming’s wildlife.” -Pete Dube, President, 2020-2021, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission
EcoTour Adventures owner Taylor Phillips and Wyoming Game and Fish Commission President Pete Dube discuss Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow during the April 20th 2021 Commission Tour of Grand Teton Natonal Park. Photo: Taylor Glenn
How Wildlife Tourism For Tomorrow Works
A 2017 economic analysis of the Wyoming Wildlife Recreation Economy found that hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching in Wyoming generates over a billion dollars in economic activity for the state each year. Wildlife Watching alone is responsible for over half a billion dollars, and employs over 5000 people in the state.
Wildlife Tourism receives all the benefits of Wyoming’s wildlife but currently contributes very little to the conservation of this critical resource. Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow aims to change this, creating a funding mechanism that will allow the businesses and individuals who depend upon wildlife to contribute to their sustainable future via our partner The WYldlife Fund. Supporters of WTFT make restricted, tax-deductible donations to one or more of our carefully selected projects.
Projects We Support
We’ve carefully selected a suite of projects to support across the State of Wyoming which maximize the conservation value of donations to WTFT. In Teton area, our projects include improving fish passage on Spread Creek for cutthroat trout and native fish, and wetland improvements which will benefit migratory birds and waterfowl in the South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area.
Wildlife Vehicle collisions kill over 6,000 large mammals on Wyoming’s roadways each year, costing the state and public $50 million annually. Completion of the Dry Piney and I-25 Kaycee to Buffalo Wildlife Crossings Projects will dramatically improve safety for both wildlife and people alike in these high-priority areas of the state.
Funding can also support the work of our partners the Absaroka Fence Initiative who are working to modify and remove fences that impede wildlife migrations and movements in the wild country east of Yellowstone National Park.
GTNP Superintendant Chip Jenkins, EcoTour Adventures Owner Taylor Phillips, and WGFD Director Brian Nesvik. Photo: Taylor Glenn
Businesses and Individuals are Encouraged to Join Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow
WTFT already has the support of the following businesses who have pledged donations to this initiative and are in discussions with others: Town Square Inns, Team 399, Buffalo Roam Tours, and EcoTour Adventures. We encourage interested businesses to reach out to chris@thewyldlifefund.org or sign up here for more information.
“Spectacular wildlife is one of the main reasons people visit or live in Wyoming, and businesses here know everyone has a role in the state’s wildlife conservation efforts. That’s why Wildlife Tourism For Tomorrow is important — it unites businesses that are as diverse as Wyoming’s wildlife.
Whether your business is helping people see unforgettable animals and landscapes or filling up their bellies and gas tanks to get here, the investment is the same. Wildlife Tourism For Tomorrow demonstrates how all types of Wyoming businesses are deeply invested in conservation. These businesses know the value of showing people why wildlife conservation is so important, and their contributions make a difference on the ground for all species of wildlife.”
-Brian Nesvik, Director, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
-Pete Dube, President, 2020-2021, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission
Learn more about the Wyldlife Fund: www.thewyldlifefund.org
See more photos from the day below.
Wyldlife fund Executive Director Chris McBarnes and ETA Guide Mark Byall glassing for wildlife
Wyldlife fund Executive Director Chris McBarnes and ETA Guide Mark Byall glassing for wildlife
April 20 2021 Commission Tour with EcoTour Adventures, the Wyldlife Fund, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and the Cougar Fund.
EcoTour Adventures owner Taylor Phillips watches wolves with Commissioner Ashlee Lundovall and Naturalist Sarah Ernst
4-20-2021 Commission Tour @taylorglenn-2.jpg
Greater Yellowstone Coalition Executive Director Scott Christensen and National Elk Refuge Manager Frank Durbian
Wyldlife fund Executive Director Chris McBarnes and ETA Guide Mark Byall glassing for wildlife April 20 2021 Commission Tour with EcoTour Adventures, the Wyldlife Fund, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, National Elk Refuge, Grand Teton National Park, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and the Cougar Fund. EcoTour Adventures owner Taylor Phillips watches wolves with Commissioner Ashlee Lundovall and Naturalist Sarah Ernst 4-20-2021 Commission Tour @taylorglenn-2.jpg Greater Yellowstone Coalition Executive Director Scott Christensen and National Elk Refuge Manager Frank Durbian
