Celebrating the conservation wins and favorite moments of 2023
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is unlike anywhere else on earth. If you live here or have visited, you understand how remarkable this landscape is, along with all the species that call it home. At the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, we work with all people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
This year was one for the ages. 2023 brought one of our biggest conservation wins ever, along with many other exciting accomplishments for grizzly bears, Yellowstone bison, Tribal conservation priorities, wildlife migration and movement, climate resiliency, and so much more.
Join us for a journey down memory lane and let’s celebrate all we did together for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
GYC and supporters stop the mine on the northern border of Yellowstone National Park
In September 2023, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition raised the $6.25 million needed to stop the mine on Crevice Mountain, just north of Yellowstone National Park. People from across the country and globe gave to stop this mine, proving once and for all that Yellowstone is more valuable than gold.
GYC and partners celebrate Bison Conservation Transfer Program and quarantine facility expansion
In July 2023, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition joined Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Forever, Tribal Nations, and other key federal and NGO partners to celebrate the completed expansion of the Yellowstone Bison Conservation Transfer Program and quarantine facility.
Lessons among the buffalo: Connecting youth, Elders, and land at the first Indigenous Youth Culture & Climate Camp
For three days in September 2023, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, in collaboration with several partners, hosted a land-based Indigenous Youth Climate and Culture Camp in Morton, Wyoming, at the Eastern Shoshone Buffalo Herd pasture. In total, over 100 students from Wyoming Indian Elementary, Middle, and High Schools arrived amongst the buffalo and traipsed through knee-high sagebrush to lessons facilitated by cultural knowledge-keepers, scientists, educators, and others.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks holds public comment period on draft grizzly bear management plan and EIS
In January 2023, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks held a public comment period on their draft grizzly bear management plan, which will guide how grizzlies are managed in the state. We had over 3,000 GYC advocates send their comments to help shape a strong future for Greater Yellowstone grizzlies.
Wyoming’s Dry Piney Wildlife Connectivity Project complete with nine underpasses
In October 2023, the Wyoming Department of Transportation hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Dry Piney Connectivity Project – a wildlife crossing project that will help address the issues of wildlife permeability and human safety along a 19-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 189.
GYC celebrates 40 years of protecting Greater Yellowstone
In 2023, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition celebrated 40 years of working with all people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the remarkable Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Speaking up for Montana wolves
In October 2023, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released a draft Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and accompanying draft Environmental Impact Statement, which was open for public comment. Over 2,100 GYC advocates submitted their comments to improve the ways that wolf management in Montana incorporates science and public input
Tribal Nations, agencies, and NGOs come together for Jackson Hole InterTribal Gathering
In October 2023, almost 100 people came together in Jackson, Wyoming for the Jackson Hole InterTribal Gathering. More than 14 Tribal Nations met with a host of federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to bring further discussion to the management of federal lands and how Indigenous values and beliefs can merge into stewardship of lands that were once aboriginal homelands to many Tribes and Bands.
Restoring bison to Tribal lands: Largest Yellowstone bison transfer a huge success
Through the Yellowstone Bison Conservation Transfer Program, disease-free Yellowstone bison are relocated from the park to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Between January 10 and January 13, 2023, the largest bison transfer to date took place when 112 Yellowstone bison were sent to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, including seven bulls, 53 cows, and 52 calves. This is their last step before being restored to Tribal and public lands across America.
Speaking up for the iconic Kelly Parcel next to Grand Teton National Park
On December 7, 2023, the State Board of Land Commissioners unanimously tabled the Kelly Parcel auction until fall 2024. The auction is not completely off the table, but this decision provides much needed time to develop a plan and secure funding for a purchase approach that protects wildlife, migrations, public land interests, and funding for Wyoming's schools.
Landmark Montana Headwaters Legacy Act is back in the Senate
On November 16, 2023, the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act was reintroduced on the floor of the U.S. Senate by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT). This groundbreaking legislation protects some of Greater Yellowstone’s wildest river segments, including the mighty Yellowstone River, the Gallatin River’s fishing paradise, and the beloved Madison River.
Yeneini3i’ 3o3outei’i | Four Hills of Life: A mural collaboration with Arapahoe School students
In October 2023, Jackson Hole Public Art's newest Pathways mural, Yeneini3i’ 3o3outei’i | Four Hills of Life, a collaboration with Arapahoe School students co-facilitated by Northern Arapaho artist and GYC’s Wind River Conservation Organizer Colleen Friday, was unveiled in the Garaman underpass in Jackson, Wyoming.
USDA announces historic investment in wildlife conservation with partnership expansion
In June 2023, the USDA announced a historic $40 million investment to continue an existing partnership to conserve big game migration corridors with the state of Wyoming and an expansion of this innovative effort to the neighboring states of Idaho and Montana. The partnership invests significant new resources and funding toward conserving habitat on private lands in the state’s most important big game migration corridors.
2023 was a year to remember — and we’re so excited to see what 2024 has in store. Our team here at the Greater Yellowstone Coalition already has some big plans to continue protecting this special ecosystem and we can’t wait to share them with you.
This year of conservation wins would not have been possible without you: our supporters. Our work is successful because of the incredible backing of our donors and advocates.
If you’d like to help strengthen our efforts, please consider a year-end gift to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. By donating today, you’re funding projects that include preventing grizzly bear conflicts, creating resilient watersheds, elevating Tribal interests and rights, securing habitat for bison outside of Yellowstone, enhancing wildlife migration and movement across the ecosystem, and so much more.
Thank you for your steadfast support and here’s to a collaborative, courageous 2024!
—Scott Christensen, Executive Director
