Summer 2017
Artist Writer and Photographer in the EnvironmentJune 10th - September 9th 2017 FREE WORKSHOPS Throughout the summer a local author, artist and photographer share their knowledge and expertise with the public. These interactive programs serve to increase public understanding and appreciation of Grand Teton National Park and surrounding public lands. You are invited to watch and learn from a professional artist, gifted photographer or a talented local author.
Local Artisan DayJune 28th 2017 FREE ADMISSION 10:00am-3:00pm The Grand Teton Association is pleased to announce Local Artisan Day will be held at the Jackson Hole Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. Over the years the Association has worked to establish & support relationships with local artists, authors and craftspeople. Many of whom sell merchandise within GTA retail locations in Grand Teton National Park, Bridger Teton National Forest and Jackson Hole. This event will be held outdoors on the lawn area of The Murie Family Park. From 12:00pm-2:00pm ,National Elk Refuge staff will host a wildlife-themed crafts station for children of all ages.
6th Annual Plein Air for the ParkJuly 12th - July 16th 2017 The Grand Teton Association and Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters present their annual fine art show and sale. Forty percent (40%) of the proceeds from the show benefit the Grand Teton Association which provides support for educational, interpretive and scientific programs within Grand Teton National Park. Participating artists will begin to arrive Wednesday July 5th and paint plein-air (outside in open air) in Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park. A selection of their “wet paintings” will be on display at the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor’s Center in Moose on Wednesday July 12 from 7:00pm-9:00pm. www.instagram.com
Summer of the EclipseCome for the Eclipse . Stay for the adventure. On August 21, 2017, a rare astronomical event will be taking place as a total solar eclipse will make its way across the beautiful Wyoming skies. For the first time since 1979, this event will be viewed in the Cowboy state and many locations, including Grand Teton national Park, are preparing to welcome astronomers, eclipse enthusiasts and visitors hoping to see this once-in-a-lifetime event. A Message from Our PartnerBridger-Teton National ForestSnake River Headwaters Program Coming out of a high-use and high-response season in 2016, the 2017 river ranger crew came on May 1 this year for additional training and preparation. GTA funds covered Swiftwater Rescue training and certification for 12 personnel, and acquisition & replacement of river response gear. Two rangers will be funded directly with GTA funds. Donations also helped to pay for personnel to assist in communications equipment damaged during the heavy winter snows back online before the high water levels arrived that make having federal, county and outfitter radio communications critical. Two river rangers will be receiving special training to perform resource-based law enforcement (i.e. permit, fire, camping violations) duties during the summer months, and the remaining eight seasonal rangers will be attending a one-day critical communications seminar. We are currently responding to daily accident reports such as: lost or capsized boats and missing persons. We are currently facing a funding shortfall for critical ramp repairs planned for the fall of 2017, and are seeking additional funding sources to match and preserve the ~$300,000 currently held. June 1, Rangers completed a new evacuation trail allowing emergency responders land access to an eddy below Haircut Rock Rapid, a location of frequent medical and mental evacuations. An automatic emergency defibrillator (AED) and backboard is now stored for public use on-site at the river level (above high water line). Two nearly obsolete AEDs will be replaced this year. Going forward we are preparing for a busy season with the eclipse hitting during our final use peak of the season. One new toilet, replacement of stolen and vandalized signage, and riverbanks restoration projects with volunteers will keep ranger staff busy all season. A capital campaign will begin for additional ramp funding as well as to make critical repairs to the Sheep Gulch Trail, one of the busiest on the forest spanning the gap between the limited ramp area & the bus loading area. The trail that greets over half a million feet each summer spans what became a supersaturated hillside this season destabilizing and releasing slides down what will take a costly engineering solution to recover. Finally, we are gearing up for projects and special events in 2018 as we come together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act. 1937-2017Celebrating 80 Years of ServiceThis summer marks the 80th anniversary of the Grand Teton Association, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of our history with you. The Grand Teton Association was established in 1937 as the park's primary partner to increase public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone area. The association has long been an important bridge between visitor and environment in the Tetons. We work to increase public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding public lands. In December of 1936, the Grand Teton Superintendent met with a group of Jackson Hole businessmen to discuss ways and means of forming an association of interested individuals to provide written educational materials to the visitors of Grand Teton National Park. The Jackson Hole Museum and Historical Association created in 1937. At that meeting, Bruce Porter, the local druggist, donated $50.00 to begin the purchase of publications. The board selected an advisory committee consisting of, among others, Dr. Fritiof Fryxell, S.N. Leek, Harrison R. Crandall, and Olaus J. Murie. The original Jackson Hole Museum and Historical Association's name changed in 1956 to Grand Teton Natural History Association. The Association Today- In 2007 Grand Teton Natural History Association changed its name to Grand Teton Association. Since 1937 the staff, our nine-member volunteer board of directors, and the National Park Service have been involved in a broad range of activities including operating interpretive sales areas in visitor centers throughout Grand Teton National Park, the National Elk Refuge, and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. These include the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center, the Menor's Ferry Historic District, Jackson Hole Airport, Jenny Lake Visitor Center, Colter Bay Visitor Center, District Offices on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, The Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, and the Miller House historic site on the National Elk Refuge. When you make a purchase or donation at an association store, you are supporting the educational, interpretive, and scientific programs in the park including the Winter Snow Desk, the NPS Academy, the Boyd Evison Graduate Research Scholarship, and the Jenny Lake Ranger Fund. Your purchase also supports the publication of this newspaper, books, trail guides, and the free educational handouts available at visitor centers and entrance stations. Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to the next 80 years! Jan Lynch, Executive Director
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