Coca-Cola Provides $25,000 Grant to Support Teen Trail Crew in Grand Teton

Jackson, WY, October 21, 2013 -- The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded Grand Teton National Park Foundation $25,000 to support the Youth Conservation Program (YCP), a privately-funded teen trail crew that performs trail repair and historic site maintenance in Grand Teton National Park.  YCP is a work-and-learn program for 16 to 19-year-olds that operates for 10 weeks each summer and is one of several programs funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation as part of an effort to engage the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and wilderness stewards.  

This is the third year in which Coca-Cola has supported YCP through its competitive grant program that focuses on promoting active, healthy living and programs that connect youth to the outdoors. 

"Environmental stewardship, supporting healthy lifestyles, and education are three of our Foundation priorities," said Lori Billingsley, vice president of community relations at Coca-Cola North America Group.  "The Youth Conservation Program combines leadership experiences in conservation and active living and provides a unique opportunity for summer employment in our treasured Grand Teton National Park."

YCP has employed nearly 150 students as trail crew members in Grand Teton since the program's founding in 2006.  In completing restoration projects on heavily used park trails and historic sites, program participants learn valuable job skills while gaining unforgettable hands-on experiences in Grand Teton National Park and developing a long-term conservation ethic. 

"Coca-Cola has a great history of funding community outdoor programs and projects in national parks, and the company's continued support for YCP has helped solidify the program as a popular outdoor institution that attracts applicants from across the country each year," says Leslie Mattson, president of Grand Teton National Park Foundation.  

Summer 2013's YCP group consisted of 24 teen crew members led by park trail staff.  The group also interacted with a variety of park leaders from all major divisions.  The crew began work in Grand Teton in mid-June and wrapped up a variety of projects related to trail and historic site renewal at the end of August.  Watch a video profile of this year's program successes here:

GRAND TETON LODGE COMPANY AND FLAGG RANCH COMPANY GIVE BACK TO GRAND TETON ON ANNUAL VOLUNTEER DAY

Jackson, Wyoming – September 25, 2013 – Grand Teton Lodge Company and Flagg Ranch Company, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park Foundation, brought local resort employees to Grand Teton National Park as part of Vail Resorts’ annual Echo Day on Saturday, September 21, 2013.  Vail Resorts Echo Day is in its fourth season and is a one-day, employee volunteer event that features a service project in each of the resort’s communities.  Echo Day projects attracted close to 1,100 volunteers company-wide to eight habitat and community improvement projects located from Lake Tahoe to the Caribbean.

“Vail Resorts and its local properties continue to be strong partners for the Foundation and for Grand Teton National Park,” Foundation President Leslie Mattson said.  “For many years these groups have supported our mission to improve resources and educate young people in Grand Teton National Park.  This volunteer day helps Grand Teton accomplish much needed work and is a wonderful and creative way for Vail to give back to its communities.”
 
Alex Klein, vice president of Grand Teton Lodge Company and Flagg Ranch Company said, “Echo Day is a great opportunity for our employees to get out in the national park and give back to the amazing environment we are fortunate enough to call home.” 


 
This year’s volunteer project focused on invasive species eradication along a one mile corridor of creekside habitat in Grand Teton National Park, an area that is particularly difficult for controlling nonnative plants.
 
Great work, and thank you!

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.  Since 1997, the organization has raised more than $20 million for education-based capital projects, work-and-learn programs that connect youth to nature, and wildlife research and protection.

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 Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch
As a concessioner in the park, Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch is more than just dedicated.  We are eco-visionaries in protecting this natural resource for future generations.  Flagg Ranch Company is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service within John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway operating the lodging, restaurants, tours and activities at Headwaters Lodge & Cabins.  www.flaggranch.com

About Vail Resorts
About Vail Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: MTN) Vail Resorts, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. The Company's subsidiaries operate the mountain resorts of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada; Canyons in Park City, Utah; Afton Alps in Minnesota and Mt. Brighton in Michigan; and the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The Company's subsidiary, RockResorts, a luxury resort hotel company, manages casually elegant properties. Vail Resorts Development Company is the real estate planning, development and construction subsidiary of Vail Resorts, Inc. Vail Resorts is a publicly held company traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MTN). The Vail Resorts company website is www.vailresorts.com and consumer website is www.snow.com

About Vail Resorts Echo
Through its extensive environmental programs and partnerships with local nonprofits, Vail Resorts Echo focuses on forest and habitat restoration, resource conservation as well as initiatives that support healthy kids and communities where the Company operates resorts. To learn more about the Company's environmental stewardship programs, how to apply for a VR Echo grant or ways to volunteer, visit www.vailresortsecho.com.

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

Last week marked the completion of the eighth season of the Youth Conservation Program in Grand Teton National Park. Throughout the ten week program, which ran from mid-June to mid-August, 24 teenagers participated in various work and educational activities with all major divisions of the park, including resource management, historical preservation, wildland fire, search and rescue, interpretation, research, vegetation management and trails.

The majority of the conservation work and training performed this summer occurred within the trails division of facility management. Major project work focused on the rehabilitation and construction of new trail tread and trail structures in three key areas: the Lupine Meadows trailhead, the Colter Bay Swim Beach, and Wister Draw Horse Trail. YCP members also contributed to the conservation of our natural resources through noxious weed removal, hazardous fuel reduction for wildfire, and restoration of historic structures within Grand Teton National Park.

After a great season of experiencing one of the nation's premier national parks, some YCP participants have returned to their homes across the country to resume high school, while others have gone on to begin their first year of undergraduate studies.

Crew stats:
-24 participants
-Members came from Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Texas, Michigan, Virginia, Connecticut, New York, Maine
-Collaborated with all major divisions of Grand Teton National Park
-6541 hours worked
-1000 yards of trail rehabilitated
-640 linear feet of native timber peeled and notched
-400 yards of new trail constructed
-380 volunteer hours
-109 miles hiked
-75 feet of double-tier timber causeway constructed
-29 hours of flexibility and strength training performed per participant
-26 miles of trail drainage cleared
-12 historic structures repaired/maintained
-6 tons of asphalt removed (by hand)
-4 days of backcountry work completed
-0 injuries

YCP trail crew leader Alex St. Clair summarizes the season as follows: “The success of this program depends in great part on the cooperation between Grand Teton National Park and the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, a partnership that has once again allowed students from across the country to experience and engage in ongoing conservation work within the park.  Another huge component of the program’s success is the hardworking crew participants themselves. The dedication, motivation, hard work, and selfless diligence these teenagers bring to the program is incredible and inspiring to all who are fortunate to work with them."

We at GTNPF are so proud of this summer's crew!  Special thanks to all who contributed to the success of this Foundation-funded youth program, including many individuals and the following corporate supporters:

Alltrips
Skinny Skis
Four Seasons Resort
Lee's Tees
Maverik
Mountain Khakis
Patagonia
Signal Mountain Lodge
The Jackson Hole Report
The Wort Hotel
The Coca-Cola Company
U.S. Bank
Vail Resorts
Wells Fargo

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 more than $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, Week 7

 You’ve heard it before that Grand Teton National Park’s Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance for today’s 16 to 19 year olds to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Last week embodied the above claim, as the students spent each day at a different location in the park, learning an array of new topics. 

With the program being well past the half way point for the season, the crew members have become truly cohesive. The leaders have been able to focus more on the projects and quality of work and much less on instructing as the youth participants are becoming more knowledgeable of trail work and are intuitively applying their recently acquired skills in fieldwork.

The major project this week has been rehabilitation and restoration of the Colter Bay swim beach. Years of overuse and creation of dozens of unnecassary user trails have negatively impacted the area, causing erosion and scarring of the landscape. The YCP crew has chosen to improve a select few of the trails by widening and smoothing the tread, and installing a series of native timber steps. They have also installed timber checks to cease erosion on the now closed trails. Following the work of the YCP crew, these areas will be reseeded with native grasses for the final step of restoration.

The crew also worked alongside the park's revegetation crew on Wednesday in the Antelope Flats area. By individually removing and killing musk thistle across nearly 50 acres of recently revegetated grassland, the crew returning previously disrupted areas of Grand Teton to their natural state.

Next week the entire crew will be working in the backcountry of Owl and Web canyons in the northern region of the park on the west side of Jackson Lake. The crew will be camping for three nights and will not return to the front country until later in the week.  Adventures abound!

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 more than $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, Week 6

You’ve heard it before that Grand Teton National Park’s Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance for today’s 16 to 19 year olds to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Last week embodied the above claim, as the students spent each day at a different location in the park, learning an array of new topics.

On Monday, July 29th, Grand Teton’s very own YCP trail crew leader and herbalist, Kate Field, led the crew on an interpretive hike to Huckleberry Point on Phelps Lake.  On the hike, Kate educated the crew as to plant identification, the medicinal properties of local plants, and traditional uses of local flora.  The outing was especially insightful, as Grand Teton National Park has an entire division dedicated to interpretive and educational programs for park visitors, aptly named the Division of Interpretation and Education.

On Tuesday, the crew split into two groups to explore the higher elevations of Grand Teton National park.  One group hiked to the picturesque Amphitheater Lake and the other to the famous Apex on Teewinot Mountain.  Park specialists educated both groups about the mountain pine beetle, which began attacking high-elevation whitebark pine forests in Grand Teton in 2004. The crew provided support for the park’s ongoing whitebark study by assisting staff by hanging white pouches containing a pheromone called verbenone on selected trees. Two pouches per tree (or 40 per acre) send the beetles a chemical message that a specific tree, or a general area, is already saturated with beetles.  This deters beetles from infesting and may reduce the likelihood that additional trees will be attacked.

Last year's YCP crew learning about mountain pine beetles

On Wednesday, YCP improved a system of lateral drains along a closed section of trail on the southwest side of Jenny Lake (along the lakeshore). The system of drains typically holds water all summer due to a series of uphill seeps. These seeps often go unmaintained due to the large scale of maintenance required, so the park is especially pleased that YCP was able to complete this needed work.

On Thursday, YCP students rode the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Aerial Tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain.  Once there, the crew performed tread maintenance to the trail that leads into Granite canyon.  Their day, and week, concluded with a long walk down and out of Granite Canyon. First time, YCP crew member, Michael Christoffersen, said, "I need to better space out when I eat my M&Ms and rice crispy treats so I can stay ‘jacked’ for the whole hike!"

Michael Christoffersen on his second day of YCP

It’s clear that the YCP crew works hard, both physically and mentally, so staying energized is essential! 

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 more than $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.

Wells Fargo Supports Youth and Diversity Programming in Grand Teton National Park with $50,000 Grant

Part of $100 million effort to support environmental nonprofits across the country

Jackson, WY, July 29, 2013—The Wells Fargo Environmental Solutions for Communities grant program has awarded $50,000 to Grand Teton National Park Foundation in support of NPS Academy, a youth program based in Grand Teton that provides mentoring and national park internships to diverse college students.  Funded by Wells Fargo Foundation and administered by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the grant is part of a new Wells Fargo program aimed at awarding $15 million over the next five years to nonprofits focused on sustainable agriculture and forestry, land conservation and water resources, habitat and urban ecosystem restoration, green infrastructure, and environmental education.

NPS Academy is one of several programs funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation as part of an effort to promote youth engagement in Grand Teton National Park and build the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts and wilderness stewards.  The program, which was conceived in Grand Teton, introduces diverse college students to a range of career paths within the National Park Service (NPS) through intensive mentorship, seminars, workshops, field trips, and recreational activities.  After successful completion of the spring break program, qualified students are placed into 12-week summer internships in national parks across the country.  The program entered its third season in summer 2013 and has also expanded to include spring break programming in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park.

“We are thrilled to have Wells Fargo’s help in funding this program to recruit a younger audience of wilderness enthusiasts and a more diverse workforce for the NPS.  This is a fantastic program that will keep Grand Teton relevant to future generations and in pristine condition for years to come,” says Leslie Mattson, president of Grand Teton National Park Foundation.

The Foundation’s request was selected from among 500 proposals submitted by local Wells Fargo team members and nonprofits.  In April 2012, Wells Fargo released a set of environmental commitments to be achieved by 2020, including reducing the company’s environmental impact, financing the transition to a greener economy, and encouraging stronger and more sustainable communities.

Jim Ryan, market president and head of business banking at Wells Fargo in Jackson, Wyoming, notes how strongly the program resonates with Wells Fargo’s own vision and values.  “The work NPS Academy is doing to promote diversity among park service employees and national park visitors is profound and effective.  We at Wells Fargo are proud to support this quality youth engagement effort in Grand Teton.”

Ten NPS Academy students are currently working in internships in Grand Teton National Park this summer, learning new skills and gaining a better understanding of the NPS through a wide vary of positions:  visitor center interpretation; assistant to the volunteer coordinator; safety, risk management, and structural fire; public affairs; trails; and bioscience.  Internships will be complete by mid-August.

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.

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.4 trillion in assets.  Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, and the Internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in more than 35 countries to support the bank’s customers who conduct business in the global economy. With more than 270,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States.  Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 25 on Fortune’s 2013 rankings of America’s largest corporations.  Wells Fargo’s vision is to satisfy all our customers’ financial needs and help them succeed financially. 


###

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 5

While the contrary may seem true, hiking trails do not simply build themselves.  Trail design, construction and maintenance take expertise, as well as a lot of work.  Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program (YCP) students learn firsthand all that it takes and more.  During the ten week program, the teens 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. 

This week's "Trail Talk" features Grand Teton National Park YCP Trail Crew Leader Alex St. Clair and his take on their voracious desire to learn.  Watch the following one-minute video to hear in Alex's own words:

As funders of YCP, Grand Teton National Park Foundation could not be more proud of Alex's assessment, as he articulates, "They've already come so far and they're asking the hard questions.  They truly want to know more and they want to know why.  They want to know why the park does something this way.  Why does the fire crew do it this way?  Why does the trail crew do it this way?  What is the purpose?".

More to come next week!

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 more than $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, Week 4

Crew leader Alex St. Clair reports another great week for YCP! Work near the Lupine Meadows trailhead (asphalt removal/causeway construction) continues and is nearing completion.  The trail has been officially re-opened and the crew will return to put finishing touches on the project later in the season.

The crew spent Tuesday going through a series of stations with the Jenny Lake Rangers: Grand Teton's experts on search and rescue.  YCP teens learned about rigging and mechanical advantages and how to properly pack and transport a patient in a litter.  They also spent some time on the climbing wall.  

After the educational component, the rangers grilled hot dogs and cheeseburgers and everyone enjoyed a nice lunch. Then the "ship" (helicopter) came in and the crew was allowed to poke around inside and got a basic rundown on heli-operations. The day with the JL Rangers culminated with a short haul demonstration, which everyone enjoyed thoroughly (summarized by Alex St. Clair, "who doesn't like helicopters?!").

On Wednesday and Thursday, the crew split up with a majority going north to Two Ocean Lake Road to do some fire prevention work with some of the area's fire experts, including the fuels crew from the Blackrock Ranger Station, Engine 3, Engine 4, the fire effects crew, and a handful of the fire officers. The YCP crew served as 'swampers,' spreading brush and rolling and carrying logs. During these days of hard work, the 'fire dawgs' provided the crew with some great information about what their jobs as firefighters entail.

This week, a special thank you goes to our corporate donors who have provided support for youth engagement in Grand Teton through generous funding for YCP:
Coca-Cola
Patagonia
U.S. Bank
Vail Resorts

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, Week 3

Last week's activities included a morning with the park's Interpretation department on an interpretive and interactive hike.  The crew then spent the afternoon brushing an overgrown section of the Taggart Lake Trail. They also spent two days at Wister Draw putting the finishing touches on an eroding horse trail by installing slope retaining walls and log checks, de-compacting old, abandoned trail and removing invasive species (hounds tongue) around the Wister Draw trail. They also cut more than 30 notches with cross cuts, chisels and draw knives for the Lupine Meadows project.

 Week 3's participant testimonial comes from returning member MacKenzie Epperson-Valum: when asked why she enjoyed performing the finishing details on trail work she responded, "Well, because I get to use my favorite tool (the McLeod), and it makes everything so beautiful!"  Thanks to MacKenzie and the rest of the crew from all of us who love hiking on Grand Teton's beautiful trails!

We would also like to recognize our 2013 youth program in-kind supporters who provided high-quality clothing and gear to outfit our participants for success on the trail: Marmot, Mountain Khakis, Skinny Skis, High Country Outfitters, Lee's Tees, and FITS Sock Company.  THANK YOU!


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, 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.