A Win for Wyoming Conservation: Kelly Parcel Sale to Grand Teton Approved
On November 7, 2024, the Wyoming State Board of Land Commissioners with a 3-2 vote approved the sale of the 640-acre Kelly Parcel to Grand Teton National Park. The $100 million sale will benefit Wyoming public schools and ensure this spectacular piece of land is public for Wyomingites and visitors to enjoy.
In advance of the Land Board meeting, GYC sent action alerts to our Wyoming supporters. More than 150 people within our network voiced their support of the sale to Grand Teton within the 12-hour window before the decision, culminating in nearly 800 messages sent to commissioners. This response tipped the scales in favor of conserving this pristine land and exemplifies the power of collection action.
“Wyomingites affirmed our conviction to protect open space, habitat, wildlife migration corridors, agriculture, and hunting opportunities in perpetuity by including the Kelly Parcel within the boundary of Grand Teton National Park,” said Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s Wyoming Conservation Manager Jared Baecker. “Thousands of residents made it clear that this unique piece of land should become part of Grand Teton and remain free from subdivision development and open for a wide variety of recreational pursuits.”
The Kelly Parcel, outlined in red, is home to elk, bison, and mule deer, in the middle of the storied Path of the Pronghorn. (Photo Grand Teton National Park Foundation)
The square mile of immaculate state-owned backcountry inside Grand Teton’s eastern boundary is a year-round refuge for elk, moose, and bison, and hosts mule deer and pronghorn on their seasonal migrations. The landscape also provides high-quality recreation to the surrounding communities and visitors alike.
The alternative was to auction off the land to the highest bidder, which would have likely been a real estate developer set on building mega-mansions. Selling the land to the park means the land will forever be publicly accessible, provide a financial windfall for Wyoming schools, preserve vital wildlife habitat, and ensure Americans can enjoy unparalleled views and recreation opportunities for generations to come.
The Federal Government has pledged approximately $62 million from the Land & Water Conservation Fund toward the sale. The remaining $38 million needed to complete the sale is being raised by the Grand Teton National Park Foundation. Thank you to everyone who spoke up for public lands and the protection of this incredible land under the National Park Service. Your voice matters—and it certainly made a difference.
Want to learn more about how you can participate in critical conservation work? Consider subscribing to our newsletter to receive action alerts when it’s time to step up and be a voice for Greater Yellowstone.
— Emilie Ritter, Director of Communications and Marketing (Bozeman, Montana)