The Greater Yellowstone Coalition successfully eliminates last gold mine threat to Yellowstone National Park border
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Scott Christensen, Executive Director, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, 406-600-9180, schristensen@greateryellowstone.org
GYC has successfully raised $6.25 million to complete mine buy-out.
Completed purchase of mineral rights, leases, and claims on Crevice Mountain protects key landscape along north Yellowstone border in perpetuity.
BOZEMAN, MONTANA, October 2, 2023 – Nearly 1,600 acres of vital wildlife habitat adjacent to Yellowstone National Park is now safe from the threat of industrial gold mining thanks to the efforts of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition and contributions from over a thousand donors across the nation.
On October 1, 2023, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) announced the successful completion of an ambitious campaign to raise $6.25 million to end a significant gold mining proposal along the Yellowstone boundary. The campaign, which was launched publicly in May 2023, came after GYC reached an agreement with Crevice Mining Group, LLC, to purchase the mineral rights, leases, and claims to 1,598 acres of land on Crevice Mountain – just north of the park border and immediately upslope from the Yellowstone River.
“This is a remarkable achievement for everyone who loves Yellowstone National Park, its iconic wildlife, and beloved river,” said Scott Christensen, GYC’s executive director. “We took a leap of faith by committing to a creative, win-win solution that protects the park and local community, while allowing the mining company to walk away. This would not be possible without the tremendous support we received from so many people who share our love for Yellowstone.”
The once-proposed mine site lies on the south slope of Crevice Mountain and is visible from the Roosevelt Arch and much of Yellowstone National Park itself. The area provides vital habitat for many of Yellowstone's iconic wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, and the famous Northern Range elk herd. Crevice Mountain also lies within one of the few designated places outside the park where Yellowstone bison can roam.
To reach the $6.25 million necessary to complete the purchase, GYC conducted an extensive fundraising effort. Within the space of six months, the organization received 1,345 gifts from individual donors in 47 states and seven countries. The project also received financial support from many private foundations, including The Kendeda Fund, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Wyss Foundation, the Cornell Douglas Foundation, the Ricketts Conservation Foundation, and the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation, which provided a challenge matching grant that helped the organization reach its goal.
“The outpouring of support – both locally and globally – has been phenomenal,” said Melissa Richey, GYC’s director of development. “We are incredibly grateful to all the individuals and foundations who became a part of the legacy of protecting Yellowstone from mining.”
The Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s ultimate goal is to transfer ownership of lands and mineral rights to the Custer Gallatin National Forest, making them accessible to the public and permanently protected from future mining through the mineral withdrawal enacted by the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, a law passed by Congress in 2019.
“There is no question Yellowstone is more valuable than gold,” continues Christensen. “This campaign, along with decades of previous work to protect the park from mining, proves that. I am deeply grateful to all who supported this critically important effort and helped us reach our goal.”
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The Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC), founded in 1983, works with all people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The organization has a long history of protecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from destructive gold mines.
