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Summer is Upon Us
Every year Grand Teton Association staff members are buzzing at the onset of summer. We are a nonprofit that raises 75% of our annual income during the busy summer months. There are employees to hire, park stores to open, and programs to plan. Thousands of boxes of merchandise move through our warehouse every spring to satisfy over 3 million visitors who will travel to the Tetons and Jackson Hole this summer.
As the snow melts and the aspen trees turn bright green, we try to feed off of the energy and frenzy of the season to do valuable work to support this unique and amazing place.
Grand Teton Association profits help support public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of Grand Teton National Park and the surrounding public lands. Visit our website to learn more about the work we do or shop at our online store to help support our mission.
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A Note From Grand Teton National Park's New Superintendent
After two months into my tenure as superintendent of Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, I must admit that each day brings new adventures and a profound admiration for this remarkable landscape and its wild inhabitants. Each day also brings a tremendous pride and appreciation for my employees, volunteers, and our partners who help to welcome park visitors and encourage their greater understanding of the importance and relevance of national parks. What an extended family, and what a tremendous team that we have in place in order to protect and preserve the precious resources in our collective care!
We just marked Grand Teton’s 85th birthday on February 26th, and we’re poised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act this September. Before we know it, we’ll also celebrate a remarkable milestone: the National Park Service centennial. These landmark events appropriately place a spotlight on the importance of the Teton landscape as the birthplace for the modern conservation movement and the inspiration for both land stewardship and preservation education.
We all have a story, and my introduction to northwestern Wyoming occurred when I traveled here as a teenager. As a country boy from Southeast Texas, my first visit to Grand Teton National Park left an indelible image in my mind. It also sparked my eventual career interests with the National Park Service. My early connection increased when my son Anthony took a park ranger internship and met his future wife Amy, who was serving as a Teacher-Ranger-Teacher in the park. Therefore, my personal ties to the Tetons run deep, and my wife Melissa and I already feel at home.
I’ve learned that Grand Teton Association’s story began in 1937 when it became the cooperating association charged with supporting Grand Teton’s mission. My predecessors and I greatly value the tremendous contributions made by GTA over the past 77 years. We simply could not accomplish all that we do without the Association’s dedication and commitment to our common mission and interests.
It is my sincere hope that I will have the opportunity to meet many of you in the days ahead. In the meantime, thanks for all that you do in supporting Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, and in being a very valued member of our park family.
David Vela
GTNP Superintendent
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Third Annual Plein Air for the Park to Benefit Grand Teton National Park
All events are free and open to the public!
Over 40 of the country’s most distinguished, recognized plein air painters will gather in Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole area to present an exclusive, three-day "wet painting" show and sale. Participating artists will paint “en plein air” beginning July 7, 2014 and continuing through July 20, 2014.
Each artist will paint a number of works and display selected paintings in the Craig Thomas Discovery & Visitor’s Center (CTDVC) in Moose, Wyoming. Works will be for sale, and 40% of proceeds benefit GTA, supporting our organization’s educational, interpretive, and scientific programs in the Teton area. This year’s show & sale opening reception takes place at CTDVC on Wednesday, July 16th, beginning at 7:00 pm. Awards will be presented by this year’s judge, Adam Duncan Harris, from The National Museum of Wildlife Art.
A Quick Draw takes place Saturday, July 19, beginning at 9:00 am, at Menor’s Ferry in Grand Teton National Park. The public is invited to watch paintings being created start-to-finish and may purchase paintings at the Quick Draw fixed-price sale immediately following, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm.
Visit our website for more information including a full schedule of events and a list of participating artists.
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A Makeover for the Jackson Hole Visitor Center Nonprofit Store
After more than 12 years serving crowds of visitors and local shoppers, we made time this spring to remodel our retail outlet in the Jackson Hole and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center. Come see the beautiful new hardwood floors, great new lighting, and the additional 350 square feet of retail space that allows for better flow through this popular Visitor Center. All profits from the Elk Refuge store go to support the US Fish and Wildlife Service in their efforts to manage, restore, and preserve habitat for Jackson’s Elk herd.
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Shop at Our Online Store for All Your Trip Planning Needs
Whether you're planning a trip to the Tetons, want to learn more about the Tetons, or live in the Tetons we have maps, books, and much more at our online store. See some of our favorite hats available in stores and online
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