Updates from Yellowstone | Spring 2023

UPDATES FROM YELLOWSTONE spring 2023

2022 AT A GLANCE

28

Projects funded in Yellowstone National Park

31

bear-proof food storage boxes installed at campgrounds

30

Tribal presenters directly engaging with the public at the Tribal Heritage Center

769K @ynpforever social media followers

33K

Yellowstone Forever members

PHOTO NPS

support at work RESILIENCY FUND UPDATE Yellowstone National Park was hit with catastrophic flooding in June 2022 that temporarily closed the park and isolated surrounding communities. Recovery efforts began right away, and Yellowstone Forever (YF) opened the Resiliency Fund to provide immediate financial support for the park’s most pressing needs. Thanks to the overwhelming support from donors like you, Yellowstone Forever was able to aid the park in a time of great and immediate need.

Here are just a few highlights of how your support of the Resiliency Fund helped the park: • NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SEASONAL RANGERS Rangers were on the frontlines after the flood communicating with visitors to help them navigate the dramatically altered travel routes into and through the park.

• COUGAR RESEARCH PROJECT The powerful flood completely washed away many structures, including the Lower Blacktail cabin which was homebase for the cougar project team during their field work. Donor support helped purchase a wall tent and stove as a temporary solution to the loss of this critical structure.

• YELLOWSTONE TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT A series of events by an inter-Tribal group of Indigenous artists and scholars was planned to be held at Arch Park in Gardiner, Montana. Due to the flood event, the park needed to move these Tribal events from Arch Park to Madison Campground. Your support funded the cost of the necessary location change.

• TWO NEW SHUTTLE VANS AND SNOWPLOW EQUIPMENT Shuttle vans were urgently needed to facilitate access for National Park Service employees between Gardiner and Mammoth Hot Springs while the new roadway was being built. These vans also offer sustainable transportation that will last into the future. Once the temporary road was completed, the park also needed snowplow equipment to keep it open and safe for travel for employees, visitors, and residents of Cooke City as it is the town’s only access route during the winter.

• IN-PARK COUNSELING NPS staff have been coping with many disruptions and crisis situations starting with COVID and then the devastating flood. Thanks to the Resiliency Fund, the park is now able to provide in-park counseling for all park staff through Teton Interagency Peer Support (TIPS)--a multiagency group of first responders who provide peer support and access to qualified trauma therapists.

PHOTOS NPS

project spotlight BISON CONSERVATION AND TRANSFER PROGRAM EXPANDS, HITS MILESTONE The Yellowstone Bison Conservation and Transfer Program aims to rehome Yellowstone-origin bison to Native American Tribes. Thanks to your support, the bison holding facility expansion was completed last year.

This expansion means the facility can now hold up to 250 animals annually and support the transfer of over 100 bison to Tribes each year.

This is just the beginning! Your donations are hard at work in the field. With the new expanded facility, the park will be able to bring more bison into the program and transfer more family groups. Yellowstone Forever is committed to providing ongoing support to the Bison Program for conservation, animal husbandry, disease testing, education and outreach.

Thank you for your continued support.

In January, the National Park Service (NPS) in collaboration with the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck Indian Reservation completed the transfer of 112 Yellowstone bison to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Poplar, Montana. The movement of these animals is the single largest transfer since the program began in 2019. It is also the first family group of Yellowstone bison transferred by the NPS. Since the program’s inception, 294 bison have been rehomed to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.

To learn more visit: Yellowstone.org/bison-conservation

The program has also led to the largest relocation of live Yellowstone bison to Native American Tribes in history.

The Fort Peck Tribes worked with the InterTribal Buffalo Council to distribute 170 of the bison they received from the NPS to 23 other Tribes. This program is truly returning Yellowstone bison to Tribal Nations.

PHOTOS NPS

Join the herd–become a Yellowstone Guardian today!

Just like you can count on Old Faithful Geyser to erupt throughout the day, Yellowstone National Park counts on the reliable monthly support of Yellowstone Guardians to help fund priority park projects and education initiatives throughout the year.

For as little as $15 per month (just 50 cents a day!), you can become a Yellowstone Guardian and join this special group of dedicated members.

Setting up automatic monthly payments from the account of your choice is easy to do and ensures even more of your gift goes directly to supporting the park we all love by reducing paper and mailing costs. You will also be able to manage your monthly gift online at any time!

To learn more or to join today visit: Yellowstone.org/monthly or call 406.848.2400.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO YELLOWSTONE!

institute Join us for an unforgettable experience this summer!

Visit Yellowstone.org/experience to learn more and book a program—members receive discounts on Institute programs!

Yellowstone Forever’s world-class Field Seminars examine specific aspects of the park through a combination of fun field excursions and presentations. Seminar leaders are experts in their fields and include professors, naturalists, scientists, and acclaimed photographers, writers, historians, and artists. Program topics offered this year include photography, wildlife watching, fly fishing, painting, and hiking.

In addition to our popular Field Seminars, we also offer Private Tours led by Institute naturalist guides. Private Tours connect participants to the stories behind the sights and sounds of Yellowstone, and all tours can be catered to a family-friendly adventure. Summer 2023 options include Yellowstone Day Hiking; Lamar Valley Wildlife Watching; Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone; and Geysers, Mudpots, & Hot Springs.

Our award-winning Lodging & Learning packages are developed through a partnership with Yellowstone National Park Lodges. These packages combine the best lodging locations with an exceptional immersive field education experience with an Institute guide. This season’s program offerings include Spring Wolf & Bear Discovery, Yellowstone for Families, Old Times on the Grand Tour, Trails through Yellowstone, Essential Yellowstone, Fall Wolf & Elk Discovery, and Roosevelt Rendezvous.

PHOTOS YF

Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park though education and philanthropy.

Yellowstone Forever yellowstone.org P.O. Box 1857 Bozeman, MT 59771 406.848.2400