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
  • News & Happenings
  • Get Involved
    • Donate Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Support a Project
    • Online Store
    • Sign Up for our Newsletter
  • Planned Giving
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Menu Menu

Wildlife Tourism For Tomorrow – LAUNCHES

A groundbreaking funding model is born

Taylor Phillips, owner of Eco Tour Adventures vision comes to life and will leave a great legacy for Wyoming’s wildlife 

Impact! How often do we think of it in terms that are mind boggling in their extremes? Take tourism, for example, in and around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, sometimes known as the Serengeti of North America for its easily visible charismatic wildlife. The annual pilgrimage of millions of visitors has perhaps become synonymous with frustrations and infrastructure challenges but not for Taylor Phillips, owner and operator of EcoTour Adventures. ‘Impact’ for Taylor means opportunity. As someone whose livelihood depends on wildlife, he knows that the future of wildlife is made brighter by conservation.

Taylor has long explored the idea that while most of his vans follow prescribed routes, the animals that so lure and delight his clients are completely unaware of jurisdictional boundaries and nuanced policy. Without going into too much of a history lesson, Taylor’s inner compass for opportunity set him on a course to see how revenue might be integrated into the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, traditionally supported-up to 90%-by hunters and anglers.

Impact! President of the WYldlife Fund, Chris McBarnes, knows a little about it. If you read his bio here, you will see he came into his present position with the idea of positive impact as his NorthStar.

Chris’ mission from the Board was to ‘make a home for everyone who loves wildlife’…

This portal to contribute to projects that directly benefit wildlife, was exactly what Taylor was looking for when Chris accepted his position in March of 2020, but of course, the events that stalled a nation, kept them waiting too.

The wait was worth it. Over the year, ideas surged, and the delay gave them time to pitch and refine, adapt, discard, and start again! Taylor and Chris formed a strong bond through their commitment to the goal of opening doors for businesses that depend on Wyoming’s wildlife for their livelihood. Promoting the idea, to tourism-based establishments, that they would now be able to support projects that enhance wildlife, became the rallying cry and Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow was born.

On April 20th, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioners, together with the Grand Teton National Park Superintendent and the Manager of the National Elk Refuge, and their key senior staff, graciously accepted an invitation to take a tour with Taylor to enjoy what watchers come from all over the world to experience.

Wyoming is the least populated state in the lower 48, so ‘day-tripping’ is a small portion of the 4-4.5 MILLION people that come every year, specifically to see landscapes and wildlife. Those far-flung visitors depend on Wyoming hospitality. They eat, rent rooms, houses, campsites, buy souvenirs, clothes, entertainment, and then return home with precious memories, which they cherish, and share, and maybe even renew as they are able. In fact, Taylor’s Ecotour Adventures is one of 50 road-based wildlife watching businesses in Jackson alone that collect toward an estimated $377M that wildlife watchers spend and the total $511M added annually to Wyoming’s economy, providing 5,184 jobs. (UW 2017)

Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow has already become the ‘Ah-ha’ moment for at least 28 businesses in and around the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in just the last few weeks.

Although the wildlife itself remains blissfully unaware of the effort and collaboration that Chris, Taylor, and Wyoming’s business leaders are spearheading, the projects that the businesses select and make a tax-deductible contribution to-and you will know them by the beautiful plaque they display-will positively support and sustain the wildlife for generations to come.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://thewyldlifefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/WildlifeTourismTomorrow-1.jpg 800 1200 Molly Stewart https://thewyldlifefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WyldlifeFund-LogoWhite.png Molly Stewart2021-05-24 16:53:232021-11-08 16:56:52Wildlife Tourism For Tomorrow – LAUNCHES

Follow us on Instagram!

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.
@thewyldlifefund is thrilled to be a part of this @thewyldlifefund is thrilled to be a part of this awesome event along with @jacksonholeecotours and @wygameandfish in partnership with our friends at the @wildlifeartjh , THIS SUNDAY! What a great way to beat the winter doldrums and #inspireakid to tie knots and flies and learn about the art of fly fishing! Bring some friends and grab the kiddos to enjoy this special day!

#families #flyfishing #flytying #art #jacksonhole #wyoming #wildlife
🦌 $$$ FOR MIGRATION 🦌 The WYldlife Fund is 🦌 $$$ FOR MIGRATION 🦌 

The WYldlife Fund is seeking Requests for Proposals to help with Capacity Building Positions to facilitate USDA Farm Bill Projects in key migration corridors throughout Wyoming! Check out the link IN BIO for more information.

The rundown...

Due Date: Proposals due January 6th, 2023

Timeline: Funds awarded in February 2023 with support over 2 years (2023 and 2024)

Anticipated Award Amounts: $100,000-$300,000

Anticipated Positions Funded: 3-5
The WYldlife Fund was proud to attend the Petroleu The WYldlife Fund was proud to attend the Petroleum Association of Wyoming’s Wildlife and Reclamation Conference today in Casper, WY. Our partners, @wygameandfish  presenters, Ian Tator and Will Schultz did a great job, as well as Bob Budd with the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust Fund.

#partnerships #reclamation #wildlife #thatswyoming #thatswy #naturalresources #wyomingwildlife
Would you chip in on this GivingTuesday and suppor Would you chip in on this GivingTuesday and support the wildlife of Wyoming?

🚨LINK TO DONATE IN BIO🚨

In just the past year The WYldlife Fund has successfully:

-Helped fully fund the I-25 (Buffalo to Kaycee) Wildlife Crossing Project which will be under construction in 2023.
-Hosted the first annual Maury Brown Kids Fishing Day which saw 250 youth participants and 350 volunteers.
-Welcomed 20 young men from across Wyoming and the country for our first annual Inspire a Kid Camp at the historic Little Jennie Ranch in Bondurant.
-Helped implement the second west wide Western Conservation Leadership Development Program with 31 participating students.
-Provided funding for critical habitat work including Snake River cutthroat fish passage, Sage Grouse fence work, beaver relocation, and wildlife friendly fencing.

A gift on this GivingTuesday is a great way to support conservation through thick and thin, because it allows us to plan our projects into the future. We really appreciate all donations, as The WYldlife Fund is planning for an exciting year ahead, and your support will help us bring our mission to life. 

 #GivingTuesday #wyomingwildlife #wildlife #conservation #wyominglife #wyoming #nonprofitsmatter #conservationmatters #thatswy #thatswyo #thatswyoming #wyominggameandfish #inspireakid #unselfie
We are thankful for your support. From our family We are thankful for your support. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.
Where feasible and appropriate, highway underpasse Where feasible and appropriate, highway underpasses and overpasses, coupled with game fencing, can be highly effective at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and ensuring that animals can safely and freely cross roads. Underpasses and overpasses in Wyoming and elsewhere in the west have been demonstrated to consistently reduce collisions by 80-90% and connect habitat for wildlife.

With your help, The WYldlife Fund will continue to advocate for and help fund these critical projects.

#wyominggameandfish #migration #muledeer #elk #pronghorn #wyomingwildlife #wyoming #wildlifecrossings #highwaysafety #drivesafe #savewildlife

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 2021 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