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WTFT launches UW student ambassador program

Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow (WTFT), The WYldlife Fund, and the University of Wyoming (UW) are excited to announce the first annual Summer Ambassadors Program. This program came to life through a successful meeting between Taylor Phillips, founder of WTFT; Chris McBarnes, president of The WYldlife Fund; and Dr. Jacob Hochard, professor of Conservation Economics at UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. During the meeting, Dr. Hochard recognized the momentous importance of WTFT’s mission, stating that wildlife conservation in the United States is “usually viewed from a top-down perspective through the collection of hunting tags and licenses, taxing hunters, etc. Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow, on the other hand, is a bottom-up approach, requiring tremendous groundwork, logistic work, coordination work, and relationship-building.”

Clockwise, beginning from top left: Chris McBarnes, president of The WYldlife Fund; Dr. Jacob Hochard, professor of Conservation Economics at UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources; Taylor Phillips, founder of WTFT.

The goal of this new ambassador program is to have university students take on the this groundwork. Four students, spread across the state of Wyoming, will work remotely from their home communities to build relationships between WTFT and local small businesses in the outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries. Together, these small business and WTFT partnerships will fund projects across the state that seek to conserve Wyoming’s wildlife. Summer ambassadors will also be enrolled as research assistants with Dr. Hochard and meet weekly to discuss progressive approaches to bottom-up conservation finance in Wyoming.

When asked about her interest in this program, one prospective ambassador, Emma Vandenburg, said, “This position excites me because it’s cool to be at the ground level and see if this method of conservation funding grows to other states.” There is tremendous potential for WTFT’s mission to spread to other states, especially with WTFT already laying the foundation. The future of wildlife conservation is bright!

The ten-week program will begin in early June, and ambassadors are expected to commit to 10 hours of work a week. They have the freedom and independence to make their own schedules, and they will be offered a stipend of $2,500. The hands-on research assistance experience ambassadors will gain will give them the tools needed to explore careers in conservation economics, tourism, and hospitality, and there is potential for future growth with WTFT and The WYldlife Fund.

The creation of this new program is further pushing WTFT into the spotlight. Founded only one year ago, in March 2021, WTFT has already donated over $100,000 to wildlife conservation projects, and has the full support of Wyoming’s Governor Gordon. We are seeing tremendous growth, and we are thrilled about the opportunity to get the next generation of conservationists involved through this ambassador program.

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https://thewyldlifefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ScreenShot2022-05-16at4.35.17PM.png 1365 2500 Jenna RefreshJH https://thewyldlifefund.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/WyldlifeFund-LogoWhite.png Jenna RefreshJH2022-05-16 20:41:592023-03-01 20:44:08WTFT launches UW student ambassador program

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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.

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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

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