Board approves $563,370 for ambassador services, Elk Refuge wait
The board approved $563,370 for ambassador services for three groups and pushed the National Elk Refuge decision to June 11, after members said they need more detail on service gaps and overlaps.
The board approved $563,370 in ambassador services funding on May 14, splitting the money among Friends of Pathways, Teton Backcountry Alliance, and Friends of Bridger-Teton, while sending the National Elk Refuge request back for more review. In the meeting minutes, board members said they wanted more information on what is already being covered and where duplication might be happening before they vote on the refuge piece. Regular Meeting Minutes: Thursday, May 14, 2026
That split keeps the program on the same basic track as last year, but at a lower total than the 2025 cycle the board approved for FY2026. The funding still runs through the county's strategic partnerships line, and the refuge question is now the one to watch, since the board has already signaled it wants a clearer map of existing visitor-center services before adding another check. Regular Meeting Minutes: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Background
| Date | Value |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $1,000,000 |
| 2024 | $750,000 |
| 2025 | $600,000 |
| 2025-05 | $563,370 |
| 2025-06-12 | $754,226 |
| 2026-05-14 | $550,000 |
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
Teton County's Board opposed a corridor-length pathway in the National Elk Refuge Bison and Elk Management Plan DEIS, citing wildlife and process concerns, and called for alternatives and better local engagement (2025–2026).
Latest: 2026-07-07 — Board reiterated its DEIS concerns and recommendations in a formal objection letter regarding the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and draft Record of Decision, referencing the original June 2025 comments.
curated as of 2026-10-10
Source Documents
| Date | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2026 | Board Meeting Minutes | minutes |