How Visitors Can Volunteer in Jackson Hole

Here’s how you can give back during your visit to Jackson Hole.

 

Jackson Hole may be known for breathtaking peaks but under the surface is a community that works hard to sustain our wilderness so we can all play hard in the years to come. In typical Wyoming style, we invite visitors to roll up their sleeves, too! By giving back, you help ensure that our majestic valley stays that way for generations to come. Whether it’s by spending a day hiking through Grand Teton National Park collecting native seeds or counting wildflowers, volunteering in Jackson Hole is sure to leave a lasting imprint that will deepen your understanding and connection to the Tetons.

 

Being Wild Jackson Hole makes it easy for visitors to participate in one of many volunteer opportunities hosted by local nonprofit and government organizations during their stay like collecting data on Moose Day or learning about bird banding to help identify wild birds. Whatever interests you, there’s an opportunity here to feed the wild things that feed you.

 

FOR ANIMAL LOVERS: Being Wild Jackson Hole
Being Wild Jackson Hole is an excellent place to start if you’re new to “voluntourism.” Being Wild is led by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. Being Wild offers volunteer opportunities such as removing invasive weeds or removing fences to make our landscape more permeable for migrating wildlife. Or observe professional bird banders capture, band and release songbirds to better understand long-term population trends in the Rocky Mountains.

 

Traveler Tidbit: Did you know that Grand Teton National Park has one of the largest and most ambitious sagebrush restoration projects within the National Park Service? Sagebrush used to be called “Cowboy Cologne” because the gunslingers would rub sage on themselves to hide the scent of weeks spent without bathing. Visitors can assist park staff by collecting native seeds. A healthy sagebrush ecosystem in Grand Teton is vital for the diversity and abundance of native plants and wildlife species like elk, bison, moose, pronghorn, and the sage grouse that rely on them.

 

FOR THE RECREATION LOVER: Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance and Friends of Pathways
If your eyes light up at the first flake of snow, consider getting involved with Jackson Hole Nordic Alliance, whose mission is to connect people with winter trails. The Alliance is the ultimate resource for local Nordic, fat bike, snowshoe and trail information as well as training. Find real-time grooming, 100+ GPS maps, events, ski/bike shop, and rental info, tips for responsible recreation, and daily trail reports.

 

Or if summer exploring on two wheels is more your speed, Friends of Pathways is the community advocate for our beautiful pathways system. Friends of Pathways partners with government agencies for construction support, conducts bike safety courses in local schools, and educates the community so we can all cycle safely together through the Tetons.

 

Traveler Tidbit: Thanks to Friends of Pathways, more than 42 miles of pathways have been completed in Teton County with an additional 14 miles in Grand Teton National Park!

 

FOR THE NATURE LOVER: Grand Teton National Park Foundation and Friends of the Bridger-Teton.
Founded by a former Grand Teton Superintendent, the Grand Teton National Park Foundation is responsible for raising the funds needed to build the state-of-the-art visitor center that millions enjoy every year. The Foundation also purchased the historic Moulton Ranch Cabins, renewed the Jenny Lake visitor area, and purchased an additional 640 acres from the state of Wyoming to incorporate into the Park.

 

Another great way to support our wild landscapes is through Friends of the Bridger-Teton. Whether you want to make a financial donation, join the Ambassadors for Responsible Recreation Program, or get involved with a volunteer day, be a forest friend.

 

Traveler Tidbit: The Bridger-Teton National Forest is a forest the size of Connecticut and the fifth-largest in the country. Bigger than Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks combined, it’s home to some of the wildest landscapes in the Lower 48. It has three wilderness areas and more than 2,500 miles of trails and contains the headwaters of the Green and Snake Rivers.

 

FOR THE ART LOVER: National Museum of Wildlife Art, Art Association of Jackson Hole, and Center for the Arts
Fuse your passion for wildlife and fine art by volunteering at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Opportunities include assisting with guided gallery tours, information desk, staffing special events, and other “behind the scenes” projects in numerous museum departments.

 

Another beloved museum, the Jackson Hole History Museum , also has occasional and seasonal opportunities. You’re sure to become an expert on all the historical things of Jackson Hole!

 

Or to assist others in feeding their creativity, support the Art Association of Jackson Hole, which offers year-round art classes for adults and kids.

 

FOR THE EVER CURIOUS: Wyoming Stargazing and Teton Science School
If the night skies have always awed you, Wyoming Stargazing is a nonprofit that offers free stargazing and education to everyone. Stargazing with the organization is one of our favorite tips for visitors and a must-go if you’re in town. Wyoming Stargazing is also working to preserve our night skies by compiling research on how outdoor lighting at night not only disrupts our view of the stars overhead but also kills billions of insects and wildlife per year.

 

Traveler Tidbit: Did you know that every year 1 billion migrating birds die from unshielded lights in North America alone?

 

Another educational powerhouse is Teton Science School. With four school campuses, Teton Science Schools leaves a lasting impact on students through its various programs like the Mountain Academy, outdoor learning experiences, classroom education, wildlife expeditions, and educator development to make the outdoors inclusive for all.

 

FOR THOSE WHO NEED SOME ADVICE: The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
For the philanthropy-curious, there’s one event held every September that is truly special: Old Bill’s Fun Run. Organized by the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, Old Bill’s Fun Run is on a Saturday morning when locals and businesses come out in droves to run. Did we mention that all proceeds support the valley’s various nonprofits? It’s the best way to interact with all of Jackson Hole’s nonprofits in one place.

 

Traveler Tidbit:  Over the last 28 years, Old Bill’s has generated a total of $280 million for Teton County nonprofits!

 

For those who may have resources rather than time to give, we suggest reaching out to the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, which offers guidance and inspiration to donors seeking advice on how best to maximize their impact to the Jackson Hole community. For a list of the various nonprofits that visitors might donate to via the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, visit this directory.

 

Finally, check out Volunteer JH, a forum where organizations list requests for volunteers. This page is updated by nonprofit organizations daily, so new opportunities abound.

 

We hope to see you out there!