Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 2

Here's Week 2 of "Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton's Youth Conservation Program"! The Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Over this ten week program, you'll hear from our teen trail crew, made up of 16 to 19 year olds from all over the country, as they work to improve the trails within Grand Teton National Park.
 
Park ranger and YCP leader Alex St. Clair reports another busy and productive week on the trails of Grand Teton.  The crew spend significant time destroying and hauling asphalt from the Lupine Meadows trailhead. They moved approximately 2 tons of material out and prepped for the installation of the timber causeway. Long, hot days prompted the crew leaders to provide ice cream and popsicles to keep the team energized. During a break on the Lupine Meadows project, crew member Matthew Marvin explain why he decided to participate in YCP this summer:  "It seemed like a great way to spend a summer outdoors, working hard and seeing new places...and it's nice to see my grandparents!"

The crew joined the rest of the park staff for a social event in Moose to listen to NPS Intermountain Regional Director, John Wessels, speak about the state of our national parks.

Next week, the crew will be working on trail improvements at Wister Draw, as well as doing rehabilitation work to the Colter Bay Swim beach.  Great work, YCP trail crew!

About the Youth Conservation Program 
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program

Welcome, to our first installment of "Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton's Youth Conservation Program"! The Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Over this ten week program, you'll hear from our teen trail crew, made up of 16 to 19 year olds from all over the country, as they work to improve the trails within Grand Teton National Park.

The 2013 YCP Crew on their second day of the season.

The 2013 program began on Monday, June 17th and in the first two weeks, the crew has started the demolition of 500 feet of asphalt at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.  They peeled more than 400 feet of native timber, that will be used for the construction of a causeway, or a path across a wetland that is raised up on an embankment, at the Lupine Meadows Trailhead.  They've also performed drainage maintenance, covering approximately 10 miles of trail along Taggart Lake, and also to Amphitheatre Lake.

The crew's leader, Grand Teton National Park Ranger, Alex St. Clair, reports that the crew is doing an amazing job.  St. Clair continued that the Rangers challenged the teens with some very difficult days at the beginning of the program, which they handled very well.  St. Clair attests that each teen went home tired every day, which is a goal of his.  YCP trail crew member, Charles Smith said to St. Clair," You guys really know how to work a guy!".  Don't be mistaken though, this is a promising crew.  Near the end of a long day, when asked if he was running out of steam, Peyton Ingalls, YCP trail crew member responded, "No way! I've got steam for days!!!".

About the Youth Conservation Program
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training. 

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Grand Teton National Park Foundation Welcomes Newest Additions to Board and Advisory Council

Fundraising group for Grand Teton expands capacity through new leadership

 
Jackson, Wyoming – November 13, 2012 – Grand Teton National Park Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to its board of directors and resource council.  Jane Hill, Richard Mithoff, David Viehman, Barry Gold and Neal Manne have joined the Foundation board; Dennis Butcher, Allison Lee, Phil Leeds, Jim Ryan and Shawn Whitman are the newest members of the resource council.  The group brings considerable and varied experience to the Foundation as it executes its mission to provide financial support for projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton’s treasured resources.

“We look forward to fulfilling our commitment to fund dynamic, significant projects in Grand Teton this year amid the fresh perspectives and energy contributed by these newest board and resource council members.  Our advisors serve as valuable liaisons between Grand Teton National Park and its local and national constituents, and we continue to benefit from their enlightened guidance and support,” says Leslie Mattson, president of Grand Teton National Park Foundation.  Many of the new members have strong ties to the Jackson community, including involvement with local organizations and businesses ranging from outdoor gear shops to area real estate.

New members will join current Board Chairman Bob Hartman, Vice Chair Barbara Carlson, Secretary John Townsend and Treasurer Scott Spangler in comprising what Mattson calls “one of the Foundation’s most active and effective leadership teams to date.”  In 2012, board and resource council members will work with Foundation staff to continue funding ongoing initiatives in Grand Teton, including youth engagement, wildlife research, and several new park-prioritized projects.

Barry Gold works in finance and divides his time between New York, Washington, D.C., and Jackson, WY.  He is currently a senior adviser working with the Starwood Capital Group’s Energy Fund. 

Jane Hill worked extensively in politics in Washington, D.C., before moving to Jackson full-time with her family.  In addition to GTNPF, her local involvement includes the Journeys School, CLIMB Wyoming and the JH Pony Club.

Neal Manne is a trial lawyer at Susman Godfrey LLP, a law firm based in Houston, TX.  He and his wife, Nancy, have been homeowners in Jackson since 2001.

Richard Mithoff is founder of Mithoff Law Firm in Houston, TX.  Mr. Mithoff is an avid climber.

David Viehman is originally from Orlando, FL, and moved to Jackson in 1992.  He is an associate broker and one of the owners at Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates, LLC.

Dennis Butcher practices internal medicine at St. John’s Hospital and has lived in Jackson Hole since 1980.   He is an avid fly angler, cyclist and hiker.

Allison Lee worked in locations around the globe as an investment banker before moving to the US.  She enjoys hiking, rock climbing and skiing with her family.

Phil Leeds has lived in Jackson Hole since 1977.  He is co-owner of Skinny Skis and Moosely Mountaineering, two local outdoor stores. 

Jim Ryan is the market president for Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in Jackson, where he also runs the business banking department in Jackson, Pinedale and Star Valley, WY and in Driggs, ID.

Shawn Whitman grew up in Wyoming and served as chief of staff for the late Senator Craig Thomas and for Senator John Barrasso.  He currently lives in Alexandria, VA, with his family and is a consultant at Kountoupes Consulting, LLC.

Grand Teton Lodge Company Properties Contribute $600,000 for Park Projects

JACKSON, WY—Grand Teton Lodge Company, owned by Vail Resorts, has gifted $600,000 to Grand Teton National Park Foundation since 1999 making the lodging group the largest and one of the longest running corporate partners in Foundation history. Gifts from Grand Teton Lodge Company properties—Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, and Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis—originate through a voluntary program that allows guests to contribute $1/night of their stay to the Foundation’s work in the park. The gift includes in-kind services provided by the group as well. Through this generous private support, the Foundation continues to enable an extensive list of visitor service, education, and improvement projects and assists the park in offering high-quality interpretation, recreation, and education to visitors. As the primary fundraising partner for Grand Teton National Park, the Foundation works with individuals, foundations, and businesses to raise funding that underwrites projects and programming in Grand Teton. 

“We want to celebrate our long relationship with Grand Teton Lodge Company and take this opportunity to publicly thank John Rutter, his team, and Vail Resorts for providing ongoing funding for park projects and for understanding the value these projects provide for park visitors,” Foundation President Leslie Mattson said. “We also thank each and every guest who has contributed through the lodging program. It’s gratifying to see many visitors who want to participate in the education and improvements that help Grand Teton remain one of the country’s top outdoor destinations.” 

“It has been our pleasure working with Grand Teton National Park Foundation. The work they have done and are doing for Grand Teton National Park is invaluable,” John Rutter, vice president of Grand Teton Lodge Company and Flagg Ranch Company, said. “We look forward to continued success and a strong partnership to make this magical place spectacular.” 

The lodging program originated in 1999 with Clay James, former president and general manager of Grand Teton Lodge Company, which was owned by CSX Corporation. Vail Resorts continued the program when it purchased the company in the latter part of 1999. James launched the initiative at Jenny Lake Lodge and Jackson Lake Lodge with the goal of educating visitors about the benefits of private support in parks while generating significant funding for on-the-ground projects in Grand Teton National Park. “We were the first park concessioner to create a check-off program in a national park,” James said. “Guests were happy to contribute because the money stayed in the park for projects that benefited visitors.” 

Today, lodging programs based on this model can be found in national parks and their gateway communities across the country, James said, and he is pleased that other parks are also benefiting from this idea. Projects supported by Grand Teton Lodge Company have spanned a wide range of enhancements and educational initiatives that connect visitors to Grand Teton and improve resources. These critical projects include the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, the auditorium addition that opened in 2011, and trail restoration. 

“To work on behalf of the park is a true honor,” Mattson said, “and the relationships we form with partners like Grand Teton Lodge Company are one of the main reasons we can bring exceptional projects and programs to the millions who visit each year. Jackson is a community that truly understands the power of giving back. People see a need and it becomes important for them to help solve it.” 

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors. 

About Grand Teton Lodge Company 
With a mission to preserve, protect and inspire, Grand Teton Lodge Company is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service within Grand Teton National Park operating the lodging, restaurants, tours and activities at Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge, Colter Bay Village, Jenny Lake and Gros Ventre campgrounds as well as the Jackson Hole Golf & Tennis Club, which is located just outside the park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. www.gtlc.com 

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

TravelStorysGPS Launches an APP for an APP Promotion with Four Local Restaurants in Support of Conservation

Get a Free Appetizer with Your Next Meal!

JACKSON, Wyoming (September 10, 2012) – TravelStorysGPS, an innovative iPhone® and iPad® application, is announcing an APP for an APP promotion with Rendezvous Bistro and Café Genevieve in Jackson, WY, Spoons Bistro in Victor, ID and the Mural Room at Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park. For the next six months, receive a FREE appetizer with your meal when you download this FREE app and show the final screenshot at any of the four above-mentioned restaurants. 

Available for free on the App StoreSM, TravelStorysGPS shares educational and entertaining stories on four StoryChannels: History and Community, Geography and Landscape, Fun for Kids and Public Access. Locals and visitors alike can use the app to enhance their enjoyment of the landscapes of Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park by listening to great stories about pioneers, climbers and legends, with interesting facts, little-known narratives, and colorful local history across the generations. Amid the narratives of Jackson Hole’s human history and natural environment, app users will hear the rich story of the valley’s conservation legacy. The Public Access StoryChannel taps into the community’s love of storytelling, encouraging users to share their own personal experiences along designated routes. Photos, graphics, maps, and links to additional resources on the TravelStorysGPS website create a multimedia user experience alongside the audio stories.  

TravelStorysGPS launched with two pilot routes, both based in Jackson Hole: Wyoming State Highway 22 between the town of Jackson and the Idaho state line is presented by the Jackson Hole Land Trust, and the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park, between Moose and Jackson Lake Lodge, is presented by Grand Teton National Park Foundation. Along each route, users are invited to make a small donation to the presenting nonprofit organization that is working to protect the scenic views and wildlife habitats. This gift is made possible by a partnership with Mobile Giving Foundation and Give by Cell and is conveniently charged on the user’s next phone bill. At the end of each route, in both directions, users can dine at one of four restaurant sponsors and claim a free appetizer with their meal by showing the last screenshot of the app. 

“Learning more about our valley is not just for visitors,” said Story Clark, who developed the app. “Even for locals who drive these routes daily, many of the stories will be new and will strengthen our connection to and love of the spectacular land around us. To further benefit conservation of this area, four of our great restaurants are generously offering a free appetizer.” 

Gavin Fine, owner of Fine Dining Restaurant Group, including Rendezvous Bistro, states, "Having a knowledgeable guide makes your experience with anything that much more enjoyable. Just like our servers act as tour guides of our restaurants and the food world, TravelStoryGPS does the same with our community and the great world of conservation, history and geography." 

Adds Travis Brittingham, owner of Spoons Bistro, "We drive over to Jackson all the time and have really enjoyed listening to the Highway 22 stories on the app. We're excited to share it with folks that come in to Spoons and are heading over the Pass, so they can enjoy the stories - and a free appetizer - on both sides of the Pass." 

Fred Peightal, owner of Café Genevieve, captures the philanthropic sentiment of all the restaurant partners. “Café Genevieve knows the power of history firsthand, as it’s located in a log cabin built in the early 1900s that served as Jackson’s mercantile. We are thrilled to support TravelStorysGPS in bringing alive the many stories of Grand Teton and Jackson.” 

The App for an App promotion will run for 6 months. One per party allowed. 

Conservation Consulting plans to work with conservation organizations around the country to create their own audio tours, which will also be available on the TravelStorysGPS app. This collaborative approach will enable TravelStorysGPS to expand its offered travel routes across the United States and to connect more people to the land and to its conservation through the power of story. TravelStorysGPS users will receive notifications of updated content and new StoryRoute offerings as they become available. 

To download the free app, visit the App Store here(http://itunes.com/apps/travelstorysgps). The TravelStorysGPS team welcomes your feedback at feedback@travelstorysgps.com. For more information, visit www.TravelStorysGPS.com. 

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 

Grand Teton National Park Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to fund projects that protect and enhance Grand Teton National Park’s treasured resources. By funding initiatives that go beyond what the NPS could accomplish on its own, the Foundation initiates improvements, critical research, and projects that enhance visitors’ experiences, creating a solid future for Grand Teton. To learn more about Grand Teton National Park Foundation, visit www.gtnpf.org or follow the organization’s daily updates at www.twitter.com/GrandTetonFdn and www.facebook/gtnpf. 

About the Jackson Hole Land Trust 

The Jackson Hole Land Trust is a private, non-profit organization that was established in 1980 to preserve open space and the critical wildlife habitat, magnificent scenic vistas, and historic ranching heritage of Jackson Hole. By working cooperatively with the owners of the area’s privately owned open lands, the Jackson Hole Land Trust has ensured the permanent protection of over 22,000 acres in and around Jackson Hole and the Greater Yellowstone Area. For more information please visit www.jhlandtrust.org. 

About Conservation Consulting 

Conservation Consulting is a small, national consulting firm based in Wilson, Wyoming, that works with land conservation organizations to identify and develop innovative markets and sources of funding for land protection and stewardship. 

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THE COCA-COLA COMPANY GRANTS FUNDING TO SUPPORT GRAND TETON YOUTH TRAIL CREW

The Coca-Cola Company has awarded Grand Teton National Park Foundation $25,000 to support ten weeks of trail repair and historic site maintenance in Grand Teton National Park through the Youth Conservation Program, a privately funded summer work-and-learn opportunity for 16 to 19-year-olds that operates each summer. The program began in June with twenty-two participants who are accomplishing hands-on work in the park in exchange for a unique education and outdoor adventure. The Coca-Cola Company offers competitive grants that focus on active, healthy living and programs that connect youth to the outdoors. Funding will be used to advance this ongoing program that is currently in its seventh season.

“This is the second year Coca-Cola has partnered with the Foundation to bring students into nature to enjoy unique experiences,” Foundation President Leslie Mattson said. “There’s a national movement to encourage young people to be active outdoors, and Coca-Cola has a long history of funding community outdoor programs and projects in national parks. This partnership not only provides the resources we need to keep our youth trail crew working in the park, but our story reaches a wider audience and that’s how great ideas grow.”

Nearly 120 students have participated in Youth Conservation Program since it started in 2006. What began as a small community experiment with thirteen teens has grown into a popular outdoor institution that attracts applicants from across the country. The teen crew fills a unique niche in the park as it tackles trail-related projects and other needs, and mentors teach job skills, introduce National Park Service jobs, and help participants develop a conservation ethic.

“Coca-Cola has a longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability and encouraging active, healthy lifestyles,” said Quinton Martin, vice president of community marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “Students that participate in the Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s Youth Conservation Program spend their summers learning about the importance of conservation and building life-long habits through outdoor activities and adventures.”

Not only does the program creatively solve challenges in Grand Teton, it is part of a long-term strategy to introduce a younger audience to the park and outdoor recreation. Youth Conservation Program is privately funded by Foundation donors and has contributed more than 48,000 hours to Grand Teton National Park to accomplish projects that would not be completed otherwise.

To learn more about Grand Teton National Park Foundation and Youth Conservation Program, visit www.gtnpf.org or follow the organization’s daily updates at www.twitter.com/GrandTetonFdn
 and www.facebook/gtnpf.

TravelStorysGPS Launches Innovative Smartphone App That Connects People to Land with Engaging Audio Stories and Promotes Outreach and Funding for Conservation

JACKSON, Wyoming (August 17, 2012) – TravelStorysGPS, an innovative iPhone® and iPad® application, is being released today by conservation finance expert, Story Clark of locally-based Conservation Consulting, and nonprofit partners Grand Teton National Park Foundation and the Jackson Hole Land Trust.  The first of its kind, this multi-media, GPS-triggered app connects travelers to the landscapes around them in real time and raises money for land conservation via mobile giving.

Available for free on the App Store^SM, TravelStorysGPS shares educational and entertaining stories on four StoryChannels: History and Community, Geography and Landscape, Fun for Kids and Public Access.  Locals and visitors alike can use the app to connect to the landscapes around them by listening to local legends, interesting facts, little-known narratives, and colorful local history across the generations.  Amid the narratives of Jackson Hole’s human history and natural environment, the rich story of the valley’s conservation legacy is also told.  The Public Access StoryChannel taps into the community’s love of storytelling, encouraging users to share their own personal experiences along designated routes.  Photos, graphics, maps, and links to additional resources on the TravelStorysGPS website create a multimedia user experience alongside the audio stories. 

TravelStorysGPS is launching with two pilot routes, both based in Jackson Hole: Wyoming State Highway 22 between the town of Jackson and the Idaho state line is presented by the Jackson Hole Land Trust, and the Teton Park Road in Grand Teton National Park, between Moose and Jackson Lake Lodge, is presented by Grand Teton National Park Foundation.  Along each route, users are invited to make a donation to the nonprofit organization working to protect the scenic views they are enjoying, through partnership with Mobile Giving Foundation and Give by Cell.  This gift is conveniently charged on the user’s next phone bill.  Leslie A. Mattson, president of Grand Teton National Park Foundation, stated, "As an organization that works to support the park, we are very excited to test this new way to reach out to visitors and teach them about this magnificent place as they drive through."

“Each stretch of highway, each parcel of land, has a unique story.  We hope that, using new mobile phone app technology, TravelStorysGPS app tours will brings these stories to life along the roads of Jackson Hole, and, close to my heart, share the stories of the generous, and often dramatic, acts of land conservation in our valley,” said Story Clark, who developed the app. “Even for locals who drive these routes daily, many of the stories will be new and will strengthen our connection to and love of the spectacular land around us.”

“Director Jon Jarvis has outlined a vision for the National Park Service that seeks to make our agency relevant in the 21st century,” stated Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott. “The new app produced by Grand Teton National Park Foundation, Jackson Hole Land Trust and Conservation Consulting meets one of the many action items identified in this key NPS initiative: to reach new audiences and develop a conversation through mobile technology and other user-friendly social media."  Superintendent Scott added, "We applaud these conservation organizations for their innovative app that serves up a mix of park facts with personal stories and shares the fascinating story of Grand Teton National Park and its enduring impact on people’s lives."

Echoing those sentiments, Jackson Hole Land Trust’s Executive Director Laurie Andrews said, “TravelStorysGPS is a wonderful tool to connect travelers and locals alike with the work that we do to protect the valley’s scenic view sheds, wildlife habitat, and working agricultural lands.  We hope that seeing our conservation successes along Highway 22 first-hand will inspire them to play a part in land conservation in our valley.”

Conservation Consulting plans to partner with conservation organizations around the country to help them create their own TravelStorys tours and content.  This partnership approach will enable TravelStorysGPS to expand its offered travel routes across the United States and continue to connect people to the land and to its conservation through the power of story. TravelStorysGPS users will receive notifications of updated content and new StoryRoute offerings as they become available.   

To download the free app, visit the App Store here (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/travelstorysgps/id543710299?ls=1&mt=8).

The TravelStorysGPS team welcomes your feedback at feedback@travelstorysgps.com.  For more information, visit www.TravelStorysGPS.com.

About Jackson Hole Land Trust

The Jackson Hole Land Trust is a private, non-profit organization that was established in 1980 to preserve open space and the critical wildlife habitat, magnificent scenic vistas, and historic ranching heritage of Jackson Hole. By working cooperatively with the owners of the area’s privately owned open lands, the Jackson Hole Land Trust has ensured the permanent protection of over 22,000 acres in and around Jackson Hole and the Greater Yellowstone Area. For more information please visit www.jhlandtrust.org.

 

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation

Grand Teton National Park Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to fund projects that protect and enhance Grand Teton National Park’s treasured resources.  By funding initiatives that go beyond what the NPS could accomplish on its own, the Foundation initiates improvements, critical research, and projects that enhance visitors’ experiences, creating a solid future for Grand Teton.  To learn more about Grand Teton National Park Foundation, visit www.gtnpf.org or follow the organization’s daily updates at www.twitter.com/GrandTetonFdn and www.facebook/gtnpf. 

About Conservation Consulting

Conservation Consulting is a small, national consulting firm based in Wilson, Wyoming, that works with land conservation organizations to identify and develop innovative markets and sources of funding for land protection and stewardship.

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