Travel board to weigh $50,000 for elk refuge engagement specialist
The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board is set to discuss allocating $50,000 in FY27 ambassador-services funding for National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center staffing, including winter naturalists and a weekend supervisor.
The Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board (also the county’s Lodging Tax Board) is set to discuss an “Ambassador Services funding allocation” for the National Elk Refuge community engagement specialist effort at its June 11 meeting. The application asks the board to cover $50,000 of a $68,637.44 staffing budget for two winter naturalists and a weekend supervisor at the National Elk Refuge and Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, with the remaining $18,637.44 shown as other funding. meeting agenda
The staff Q-and-A memo frames the request as maintaining long-running winter naturalist positions (dating to 2005) and a weekend manager role piloted in 2025, with the stated goal of keeping free wildlife tours and on-site visitor education running even as revenue from federal pass sales becomes harder to predict. The memo says future funding would rely on a mix of Grand Teton Association bookstore revenue and recreation fees. staff Q&A
Background
In May 2025, the Board approved $563,370 for ambassador services to three organizations, postponing the National Elk Refuge funding to assess service gaps and overlaps.
Latest: 2026-05-14 — Board approved $550,000 in ambassador services funding for Friends of Bridger-Teton ($550,000), Teton Backcountry Alliance ($83,184), and Friends of Pathways ($100,000). Decision on National Elk Refuge funding postponed to June 11, 2026 to gather more information on service gaps and overlaps.
curated as of 2026-06-11
Friends of the Bridger-Teton received $920,000 in FY26 and FY27 from the JHTTB for Ambassador Services focused on visitor management, education, and stewardship.
Latest: 2026-07-01 — FY27 begins; Friends of the Bridger-Teton continue Ambassador Services.
curated as of 2026-07-09
JHTTB will fund Chamber of Commerce Visitor Services up to $719,000 for FY2027, supporting multiple visitor centers and information services per a formal agreement.
Latest: 2026-07-01 — FY27 funding period begins for Chamber Visitor Services under JHTTB agreement.
curated as of 2026-06-05
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2026 | Lodging Tax Board Meeting Agenda | agenda |
| May 14, 2026 | JHTTB Staff Report — Powerpoint Questions Elk Refuge | staff report |