Letters
From the President & CEO and Board Chair
It has been an incredible year in Yellowstone thanks to your generous and steadfast support. Looking back on the past year, we are proud of all the work we have been able to accomplish, together, to protect, preserve, and enhance the world’s first national park.
Yellowstone National Park has one of the most incredible ecosystems in the world. As the park’s official nonprofit partner, we fund programs and projects that conserve native wildlife, biodiversity, and contribute to a healthy and resilient environment for the future. Yellowstone Forever also provides critical financial support to programs such as youth education, cultural preservation, and visitor engagement.
Yellowstone Forever educational experiences and programs continue to thrive. Over the past year, nearly 5,000 individuals participated in Institute educational programs, helping to foster current and future stewards of the park. We have increased support for Tribal engagement and outreach, including funding for the operation of the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center. During the summer of 2023, the Center featured 34 Tribal presenters across 146 days.
None of this incredible work would be possible without your dedicated support. As we look to the future, we are excited to work together to help ensure all visitors are able to enjoy the park’s great wonders.
Lisa Diekmann President & CEO
Yellowstone Forever
Doug Spencer Board Chair
Yellowstone Forever
From the Superintendent
As we look back on the past year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your dedicated support to Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone Forever is the park’s official nonprofit partner. The funding they provide makes possible a wide range of projects that help us preserve, protect, and enhance Yellowstone National Park. This past year, Yellowstone Forever provided critical financial support for programs such as the Native Fish Conservation Program, the Yellowstone Wolf Project, the Bison Conservation & Transfer Program, ranger stock, and youth education programs.
We continue to work together on Tribal engagement and outreach, including the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center. The Tribal Heritage Center, now in its third season, is a partnership between Yellowstone Forever and Yellowstone National Park, with Tribal consultation. Last year, the Tribal Heritage Center hosted 34 presenters from 16 of the park’s 27 associated Tribes.
Funding from Yellowstone Forever donors also supported the Yellowstone Resiliency Fund, providing in-park counseling for employees dealing with major incidents. This program has been a critical part of our efforts to support the mental health of our workforce. In just one year, more than 180 employees have used the counseling services in Yellowstone.
Thank you for your continued commitment to the world’s first national park, and for your partnership ensuring a future for Yellowstone that is strong and resilient.
Cam Sholly
Superintendent
Yellowstone National Park
Protect Yellowstone’s Ecosystem & Wildlife
Bison Conservation and Transfer Program
The American bison once roamed across most of North America in numbers that reached into the tens of millions. That changed in the 1800s, when European American settlers hunted bison to near extinction. Yellowstone set about restoring bison to the land beginning in 1902 and today, the Bison Conservation and Transfer Program continues this complex work. The goal of the program is to rehome Yellowstone-origin bison to Native American Tribes and support the ecological and cultural conservation of this iconic species.
This program reconnects bison and Tribes, reduces the number of animals that are sent to slaughter, and preserves the unique genetic makeup of Yellowstone bison by introducing them into other bison herds. As part of these efforts, the park’s bison quarantine and transfer facility needed to be expanded. The completion of the expansion was celebrated in July 2023 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The event began with a Tribal blessing, and Superintendent Cam Sholly thanked the partner groups involved in the project as well as the state and federal officials in attendance. This expansion was the culmination of years of work. Yellowstone Forever and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition partnered to raise $1 million in funding to triple the size of the facility so more Yellowstone bison can be rehomed to Tribal lands.
With the updated facility, the program capacity allows for 100-300 bison to be transferred each year and up to 40% of captured bison can be entered in a disease testing program to certify them as brucellosis-free. Since 2019, 414 bison have been rehomed to more than 26 Tribes across 12 states.
Yellowstone Forever also supports the Bison Tribal Internship Program in which interns work alongside Yellowstone’s Bison Management Team to gain knowledge and experience in conserving bison. These skills are taken back to the Tribes to further support the reestablishment of Yellowstone bison on Tribal lands throughout North America.
This program improves Yellowstone National Park’s efforts to lead the world in conserving wild bison. Generous support from Yellowstone Forever donors is a key factor in continuing this important work.
Since 2019, 414 bison have been rehomed to more than 26 Tribes across 12 states.
Native Fish Conservation Project
Overall, more than 4.6 million lake trout have been removed over the past 28 years on Yellowstone Lake.
The long-term efforts to save the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, a keystone species, continue to be imperative to the success of this project. The Yellowstone Native Fish Conservation Program is committed to significantly reducing the number of predatory lake trout in Yellowstone Lake through annual gillnetting and other suppression methods. In 2023, these efforts removed 236,853 lake trout.
The impact of this project goes beyond the fish populations. Cutthroat trout are a food source for many of Yellowstone’s mammals and birds. As native fish populations are restored, grizzly and black bears have responded to increases in spawning cutthroat trout by returning to some lake tributaries during spring to feed upon them. Osprey have also been observed catching cutthroat trout in Bridge Bay.
The lake trout suppression program on Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest and longest-running nonnative fish suppression programs in existence. Overall, more than 4.6 million lake trout have been removed over the past 28 years (1995-2023) on Yellowstone Lake.
For more than 20 years, Yellowstone Forever has funded the Native Fish Conservation Program and the successful elimination of millions of nonnative lake trout. This critical work is ongoing and imperative to the integrity of Yellowstone’s lakes, streams, and tributaries.
Yellowstone Wolf Project: Decades of Success
Nearly three decades ago, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park after nearly 70 years of absence. Since then, the Yellowstone Wolf Project has become one of the most in-depth studies of a large carnivore in the world. The wolf project aims to understand wolf population dynamics, predation patterns, and multi-species interactions in Yellowstone. Wolf biologists continue studies to better understand multicarnivore and multi-ungulate predatorprey dynamics. Collaring individual wolves within packs enables biologists to monitor survival, abundance, distribution, and genetics within the ecosystem. Seasonal research on predation patterns and competition
with other large carnivores contributes to the knowledge about food web dynamics. Yellowstone’s Wolf Project team also conducts studies on behavior, genetics, and disease.
The wolf team also invests a great deal of time in education and outreach, leveraging the talent of dedicated technicians, research associates, and graduate students—all of whom are supported by Yellowstone Forever. Collectively, the project enriches the stewardship and legacy of Yellowstone’s wolves and ecosystem. Without substantial funding from Yellowstone Forever, the Wolf Project would not be able to continue this important work.
Bear Conservation and Management Program
There is nothing like seeing a massive grizzly in the wild or a sow black bear teaching her young cubs the ways of Yellowstone. The park’s Bear Management team works diligently to protect and maintain the natural populations of grizzly bears and American black bears in Yellowstone National Park, as free from human influences as possible.
The Bear Conservation and Management Program includes research and monitoring of the park’s bear populations. The growth and expansion of the grizzly bear population in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a remarkable conservation success story. In 1975, the region had only 136 grizzlies. The most recent data shows the population has grown to an estimated 1,000 grizzly bears.
In 1975, the region had only 136 grizzlies. The most recent data shows the population has grown to an estimated 1,000 grizzly bears.
Part of the management of the bear population is providing visitors with the opportunity to safely view, photograph, and enjoy them. The foundation of bear management is the implementation of proactive measures that lessen the underlying causes of bear-related conflicts and decrease management problems on a long-term basis.
Park managers work to prevent bears from obtaining and becoming conditioned to human foods, garbage, or other human attractants. This preventative approach reduces humanbear conflicts and the need to haze, aversively condition, capture, relocate, or remove bears. The chances of humanbear conflicts are also reduced through public outreach and education. Direct manipulation of bears or their habitat is minimized to allow natural processes to drive bear ecology. However, reactive management is sometimes necessary to alleviate unsafe conflicts and eliminate recurring problems.
Research is a key component of the Bear Conservation and Management Program. With financial support from Yellowstone Forever, two research projects are being conducted. One study addresses how climate change may affect bear thermoregulation, food resources, habitat use, cub production and survival. Additionally, Yellowstone Forever funds support a research project designed to obtain a density estimate of grizzly bears in the park using non-invasive sampling methods.
Bear-Proof Storage Boxes: Key Component of Bear Management
This project is now 79% complete with bear-proof food storage boxes installed at 1,509 of the 1,914 roadside campground campsites in the park.
Preventing bears from obtaining human food is one of the top priorities of Yellowstone’s wildlife managers. Bears that gain access to human food eventually become more aggressive toward humans and may need to be removed from the population. Installing bear-proof food storage boxes in the park’s campgrounds is a key component of bear management. It improves visitor safety and prevents bears from accessing human food. These steel boxes allow campers to store food, dishes, and other scent-producing items in a secure, locked location, helping ensure a safe camping experience for humans and bears.
In the summer of 2023, the Yellowstone Bear Management Office worked with several Youth Conservation Corps programs to install 184 bear-proof food
storage boxes in Madison, Bridge Bay, and Slough Creek campgrounds. Sixty bear boxes were installed in the Madison Campground, 122 in the Bridge Bay Campground, and two in the Slough Creek Campground. This project is now 79% complete with bear-proof food storage boxes installed at 1,509 of the 1,914 roadside campsites in the park. Forty bear boxes have been installed at the park’s 300 backcountry campsites. Ten of the parks 11 campgrounds have been completed including Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, Tower Fall, Mammoth, Indian Creek, Norris, Canyon Village, Madison, Bridge Bay, and Lewis Lake. Grant Village is the only remaining campground that does not have a bear box in every campsite. With the help of generous supporters, this project can remain on track for completion.
Bridge Bay Campground Madison Campground
Slough Creek Campground
Preserve Yellowstone’s Heritage, History, & Trails
Tribal Engagement
During the summer of 2023, the Center featured 34 Tribal presenters, including 20 new contributors, across 146 artist days.
Yellowstone Forever’s commitment to Tribal engagement has driven transformative initiatives that deepen connections between Indigenous communities and Yellowstone National Park. In partnership with the National Park Service, Yellowstone Forever has facilitated impactful crosscultural exchanges, such as hosting the illuminated teepees in Gardiner, Montana, in collaboration with the Pretty Shield Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council.
The Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center has become a cornerstone of engagement efforts. During the summer of 2023, the Center featured 34 Tribal presenters, including 20 new contributors, across 146 artist days.
Presenters from 16 of the 27 Tribes associated with Yellowstone enriched the visitor experience with their knowledge and cultural expressions, often in their Indigenous languages. Many also experienced economic uplift through the sale of their artwork, highlighting the Center’s role in supporting Indigenous artisans.
The success of the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center is a testament to Yellowstone Forever’s dedication to fostering cultural understanding and collaboration. With enhanced displays and technological updates, the Center has solidified its position as a leading educational hub within Yellowstone National Park. Increased operational days, driven by effective marketing, have resulted in greater visitor engagement and confirmed the program’s significant impact.
Additionally, Yellowstone Forever hosted the second Tribal Education and Engagement Gathering, which brought together Tribal cultural educators and National Park Service staff. This Gathering was instrumental in shaping long-term strategies for enhancing Indigenous education and engagement within the park, focusing on ways to incorporate Indigenous perspectives and build ongoing partnerships.
The impact of these initiatives is profound. Through these efforts, the diverse Indigenous cultures of the region are honored and shared with visitors to Yellowstone, enriching their experience and deepening their appreciation of this extraordinary place. These programs foster a greater understanding and connection to the cultural and historical significance of Yellowstone, creating a lasting impact on all who engage with them.
Ranger Horses & Mules
Yellowstone National Park utilizes horses and mules to transport people, equipment, and supplies into and out of the backcountry. This ranger stock is critical to park operations, which includes mounted patrols, trail work, and research studies. Vital to this work is the ability for the park to purchase quality horses and mules and reduce the average working life of these animals to 16 years, minimizing the potential for injury.
The 2023 summer season proved to be a busy one for Yellowstone’s backcountry ranger program. The program supported four park maintenance trail crews along with the backcountry rangers, the Wyoming Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS snow crew, Wildland Fire group, and the park’s fish research team. Supporting all of them resulted in the crew riding over 1,700 miles of trail and packing 42,200 pounds of gear, tools, building materials, research equipment, grain, and food into Yellowstone’s backcountry.
The backcountry rangers in Yellowstone also had a busy season with stock use. They rode 4,618 miles of trail in five months with 3,359 miles of that being dedicated to clearing and opening the trails for visitors in the beginning of the season. This is a total of 6,336 miles of trail that horses and mules were used to carry out important work.
The work of backcountry rangers and these animals includes a lot more than just trail clearing. Projects include replacing bear poles and bear boxes for storing food at backcountry camp sites, digging and replacing pit toilets at backcountry cabins, keeping backcountry cabins in good condition and stocked with provisions for groups that use the cabins, and storing feed for stock when the cabins are in use.
Horses also make it logistically possible to pack groups of law enforcement rangers into remote backcountry areas with missions lasting from 5-10 days in length in these remote areas. Livestock utilized by Rangers made it possible to travel with a more extensive emergency response gear in order to provide assistance to visitors in distress. The team provided aid and assisted ill and injured visitors out of the park’s backcountry on multiple incidents. The ranger stock also coordinated and assisted with wildlife management actions with Yellowstone Center for Resource management personnel, including fisheries, bear, wolf, birds, and ungulates, to assist with their needs.
The optimal Yellowstone herd is approximately 115 animals. Anticipating the need to have a greater presence throughout the park’s backcountry, the goal is to increase the park’s herd to 120 head in the coming years. Yellowstone National Park purchased nine new stock in 2023: six horses and three mules. Stock purchasing remains an ongoing challenge, and this project relies on continued support from Yellowstone Forever for funding the park’s needs for horses and mules.
Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program engages youth in workbased learning projects and leadership education programs in Yellowstone. The principal purpose of this project is to support the National Park Service’s objective to provide opportunities for youth to learn about the environment by spending time working in national parks.
Yellowstone’s YCC program is focused on training and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders through work projects, outdoor recreation, and ecosystem education. The program allows youth, ages 15-18, the opportunity to experience the motto of Work, Learn, Play, and Grow in one of the
Impact Enhance Visitor Experiences & Education
world’s greatest protected ecosystems. YCC participants’ personal development is broadened and enriched through educational, leadership, and recreational experiences. Additionally, these youth crews are key in helping Yellowstone complete much needed conservation and deferred maintenance projects.
This project supports the Youth Conservation Corps as well as partnerships with Groundwork USA and Montana Conservation Corps (MCC). During the 2023 season, YCC held two month-long sessions with 45 teenagers, three Groundwork teams of 55 participants, and eight MCC youth and young adult crews in leadership, education, recreation, and work. Some of the high priority park projects accomplished included the continued installation of bear boxes and boardwalk replacement, as well as collection of visitor-use data in high use areas.
All projects give the YCC enrollees a glimpse as to the variety of careers associated with the National Park Service
and other land management agencies. Yellowstone’s YCC program is the only program in the National Park Service. Yellowstone Forever’s support of these youth programs is imperative to their success. These important experiences for young people cannot occur without support from our donors.
In the summer of 2023, the Yellowstone Bear Management Office worked with the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps, Montana Youth Conservation Corps, Montana Young Adult Conservation Corps, and Groundwork USA work-programs to install 184 bear-proof food storage boxes in Madison, Bridge Bay, and Slough Creek campgrounds. The project is now 79% complete thanks to these youth programs.
Expedition Yellowstone
In total, teachers brought 278 students and 98 adult chaperones to Yellowstone for 63 nights.
Since 1986, Expedition Yellowstone (EY) has offered school children an opportunity to experience Yellowstone. EY is a curriculum-based residential education program for grades 4-8 offering students an opportunity to learn and explore in one of the world’s premiere outdoor classrooms. Not only do they participate in hands-on, multidisciplinary, cross-curricular learning aligned with national and state education standards, but they create personal connections to Yellowstone allowing them to become better stewards over the course of 4-5 days in the park.
School groups are hosted at the historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch and the Youth Conservation Corps facility in Mammoth. Most of the school groups are from Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, but some travel from much further away such as Boston and New York City.
Many of these students are from under-represented populations and schools that cannot afford a class trip to Yellowstone without financial assistance. The EY scholarship funds allow socioeconomically disadvantaged students and schools to participate in the program. The student need-based scholarships help to offset the cost, particularly for Title I schools and Native American schools.
During the 2023 season, 18 school groups from Montana (10), Wyoming (3), Idaho (4), and Massachusetts (1) participated in Expedition Yellowstone. In total, teachers brought 278 students and 98 adult chaperones to Yellowstone for 63 nights. Of the 18 groups that participated, 10 requested financial assistance through scholarships to offset the cost of the trip. Without scholarship assistance, many schools would not be able to participate.
Resiliency Fund
Yellowstone National Park strives to make improvements to the work-life environments for employees across the park. As part of this goal, the park has looked for ways to provide in-park counseling for employees dealing with incidents such as employee suicides, park fatalities, and natural disasters. National Park Service employees are on the front line and the first responders when these tragedies occur.
Yellowstone Forever’s support of this program has allowed the park to provide in-park counseling for employees dealing with incidents. The counseling sessions have been well attended. There are several factors that make in-park counseling worthwhile, including the ability for employees to speak to counselors face-to-face without needing to travel more than three hours to a nearby community. The professionals brought into the park are trained trauma
counselors who are well-suited for engaging with first responders after medical or law enforcement incidents. These counselors are also familiar with the values and mission-driven mindset of National Park Service employees.
In just one year, more than 180 employees (including Yellowstone Forever staff), have used the counseling services in Yellowstone. Employees have shared feedback on this program saying it has been very beneficial.
“This program has helped myself and my coworkers since it started last year. We all live, work, and play with one another so it was imperative to have someone from the outside to talk to. They’ve helped me with work, my family, my coworkers, grief, and also trauma. This is very important to us here at Old Faithful because we’re so removed from the other parts of the park/society.”
Yellowstone National Park Employee
Yellowstone Forever Institute
Yellowstone Forever is committed to delivering educational experiences that connect people with Yellowstone National Park. This past year the Institute offered a diverse range of programs, including in-depth Field Seminars, Lodging & Learning experiences in partnership with Yellowstone National Park Lodges, Youth & College programs, Private Tours, Yellowstone Day Adventures, and more. These opportunities brought Yellowstone’s wildlife, geology, and rich cultural history to life for thousands of visitors, enriching their understanding of the park.
Throughout the year, 4,696 individuals participated in Institute programs, accumulating a total of 62,673 contact hours. These numbers reflect the significant reach and impact of Yellowstone Forever’s educational efforts, underscoring an ongoing commitment to fostering a deeper appreciation of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Throughout the year, 4,696 individuals participated in Institute programs, accumulating a total of 62,673 contact hours.
Starting in October 2022, Yellowstone Forever took a bold step forward by collaborating with the National Park Service on a groundbreaking strategic education plan for the park. This initiative, now in its final stages, is designed to create a visionary roadmap for the future of education in Yellowstone. By setting ambitious strategies, clear goals, and actionable plans, the Institute aims to deepen their engagement with visitors, stewards, and stakeholders, ensuring that educational efforts are both impactful and inspiring.
Yellowstone Forever’s dedication to Tribal engagement has also opened new avenues for creativity in programming. This year, the Institute partnered with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe to host a Tribal Cultural Winter
Camp, where Shoshone-Bannock high school students explored Yellowstone’s winter landscape while connecting with their cultural heritage. The Institute also collaborated with teachers from Fort Washakie to bring Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone middle school students to the Lamar Buffalo Ranch. There, students engaged in hands-on learning experiences, deepening their connection to their ancestral lands.
These efforts are a testament to Yellowstone Forever’s commitment to honoring Indigenous voices and creating educational opportunities that resonate on a deeply personal level. Continued public support has been vital in making these programs possible.
Financials
Statement of Activities Statement of Financial Position
For the Year Ended February 29, 2024
REVENUES AND SUPPORT
Educational product sales, net of discounts
Less cost of goods sold
Educational product sales, net
Contributions and gifts
In-kind contributions
Educational tuition and fees
Investment (loss) earnings, net
Other revenues
Total revenues and support
EXPENSES
Program Services:
National Park Service grants
Educational product sales
Educational programming
Total program service
Supporting Services: Philanthropic fund development
Administration
Total supporting services
Total expenses
Endowment withdrawal
Change in net assets
Net assets, beginning of year
Net assets, end of year
As of February 29, 2024
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts & dividends receivable
Pledges receivable, net
Inventory
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments
Property and equipment, net
Pledges receivable, net of current portion
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Total non-current assets
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Grants payable
Operating lease liabilities - current portion
Total current liabilities
NET ASSETS ASSETS
Without donor restrictions: Undesignated
Designated for Park Projects
Designated for Capital Projects
Designated for Operating Reserve
With donor restrictions
Total net assets
Total liabilities and net assets 23,660,575 323,626 1,442,639 1,031,003 175,112 26,632,955 $ 9,021,619 8,143,359 1,768,140 149,502 19,082,620 45,715,575 1,429,057 263,683 14,782 167,206 1,874,728 12,949,970 1,200,000 1,585,000 7,316,000 20,789,877 43,840,847 45,715,575 $
We are grateful for all of our donors. Every effort has been made to ensure that this list of gifts received March 1, 2023 - February 29, 2024, is accurate and complete.
Please contact us at 406.848.2400 or supporters@yellowstone.org if a name has been omitted or otherwise improperly reported so we can correct our records.
Donors
Individual Donors
* In-Kind Support ** In-Kind and Cash
$300,000 - $999,999
Richard Adkerson
Alicia and Peter Pond
Debbie and Albon Head
Carolyn and Scotty Heppel
$50,000 - $299,999
Ruth Connery
Janet and John Costello
Keith Crandell and Susan Davis
Fin and Elizabeth Ewing
Sheree and Rick Gillaspie
Beth and Michael King
Christopher Knapp
Ron Lerner
Suzanne and Patrick McGee
Nancy Perot and Rod Jones
Lyn and Bill Reed
Melanie Reynolds and Bob Rowe
Julie and Michael Solot
Elizabeth and Carl Webb
$25,000 - $49,000
Anonymous
Gretchen and Steve Burke
Christie and Clint Bybee
Kamal and Angelique Charef **
Lynn and Pat Gurrentz
Rick McIntyre
Elizabeth and Isaac Morton
Laura Orvidas and Barrett Adams
Allie and David Peacock
Kim Roeder and Larry Westbrook
Dawn and Bruce Tecklenburg
$5,000 - $24,999
Delores and John Adams
William Airey
Candace Allen and Robert Woodward
Karen and Richard Allen
Catherine and Richard Andree
Anonymous
Sandy and Tim Armour
Sue and Mike Arneson
Patricia and Fred Auch
Wilhemina Austin
Eric Bagelmann
Joellyn Barton
Stella Bentley
Sheryl Benzinger
Katherine Bishop
Nina and John Bottomley
Nick Bousliman
Sandra and David Burner
Shari Burns
Claire Campbell and Brian Makare
Joan Carotenuto
Vivian Carroll
Michele Chaffee and Adam Nordin
Beverly and Don Clark
Susan and James Clay
David Cook
Kelty and Rogers Crain
Betty and Alex Crain
David Culver
Cathy and Lloyd Dahlberg
Judith Dean
James and Lavon DeGraw
Marguerite and Tom Detmer
Charlene and Jim Eckman
Lynn and Bill Evans
Jenny Golding and George Bumann
Diana and Stephen Goldberg
Jacqueline and Nicholas Gorski
Barbara and Christian Gunther
Kemp and Thomas Hill
Cheryl and Richard Hudson
Susan Hughes
Graham Huntley
Tora Isi
Janet and Brad James
Cynthia and Craig Jensen
Jerralyn Kehne
Cynthia and Douglas Kelly
Karen and Gary Kirt
Stephanie and Charlie Knowles
Pam and Chuck Koob
Zona Kreidle
Karen Kuehneman
Shelley Kuehneman
Roberta and Tracy Lasecke
Susan Gordon Lathrop
Carol and Steve Latimer
Jackie and Jay Lauderdale
Francine Liebel
Catherine Lucchesi and Tucker Groendyke
Gail and Jay Lund
Carol and Wendell Martinell
Darlene and Joe Marushack
Ron McDaniel
Carol and Jack McGuire
Kailey McGuire
Cara and Adam Mika
Arikha Moses and Greg Steinmetz
Edward Murphy
Rose Hochner Nelson and Robby Nelson
Kaye and Mark Nickell
Elaine and Bill Obernesser
Susan and Roy O’Connor
Amanda and Alex Perez
Peggy and Chris Rice
Mark Richard
Liz and Al Richter
Steven and Angie Riemann
Terry Rockstad
Jackie Rooney and Halter Cunningham**
Patti Rooney
Maisie and John Rosenberg
Alan Rothschild
Jim and Christine Russell
Carolyn Ruth
Matt and Cheryl Schoss
Julie and Jerry Schuyler
Mary and Charles Sethness
Barry Shaw
Cappy and Bob Shopneck
Christine and Brian Smith
Polly and James Spencer
Kathleen and Doug Spencer
Cat and Greg Stevens
Anne Symchych
Sandy and Mark Tibbits
Debbie and Bill Tracy
Nick Tropin
Don and Lori Wallette
Mary Warner
Denise Weglicki
Michael Willing
Ariel Witbeck
John Youngblood
Foundation
* In-Kind Support
** In-Kind and Cash
$250,000 - $999,999
National Park Foundation
Rees-Jones Foundation
$50,000 - $249,999
Anonymous Family Foundation - Bank of America
Beagle Charitable Foundation
Conservation Nation
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Dry Creek Foundation
George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Foundation
G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation
Solot and Karp Family Foundation
Wheeler Foundation
$25,000 - $49,999
Bechtel Trusts
Cornelia Cogswell Rossi Foundation, Inc.
Daniel K. Thorne Foundation, Inc.
Living With Wolves, Ltd.
The FourTen Foundation
The Tapeats Fund
$5,000 - $24,999
Jane Smith Turner Foundation
Argus Fund
Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation
Solstice Charitable Foundation
Fuller Foundation, Inc.
YOT Full Circle Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Willard L. Eccles Foundation
Benjamin Family Foundation
Kathryn Nell Harrison Foundation
The Milias Foundation
Holdfast Collective
The Millmont Foundation
Nathan P. Jacobs Foundation
Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative
Eaglemere Foundation, Inc.
Smith and Wilcox Blue Skies Foundation
S. Livingston Mather Charitable Trust
Laura J. Niles Foundation, Inc.
Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation
Henry E. Niles Foundation
James and Barbara Cimino Foundation
The Tow Foundation
Elkes Foundation
Hymowitz Family Foundation
Corporate
* In-Kind Support
** In-Kind and Cash
$1,000,000+
ConocoPhillips
$250,000 - $999,999
Google Inc.*
Jacques Marie Mage
The Coca-Cola Company
Planned Giving
Susan Brady Alfaro
Elizabeth Alonso
Marcia Bartlett
Jim Belli
Andrew Bommarito
Paul Henke
Michael Howie
Fusako Iwasaki
Franklyn Kraus
Nancy Nicolai
Robert Sanders
Eileen Sutz
$50,000 - $249,999
Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Michelin North America*
Toyota Motor North America
Xanterra Parks & Resorts Guest Donation Program
$25,000 - $49,999
1000 Stories
Amazon
Delaware North Companies
Dummen Orange
Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.**
Moen*
NorthWestern Corporation
Smithey Ironware
State of Montana License Plate Program
Yellowstone Park Service Stations
$5,000 - $24,999
ALS Private Limited
Andersen Corporation*
Grand Teton Brewing Company
Hermes of Paris
JLF Architects
Made in Nature
MasterBrand*
Miir Holdings, LLC**
Original Grain, Inc.
Parks Project, LLC**
Terzian Farms, LLC
Wild Tribute
Wyoming Whiskey**
Ways to Support Yellowstone
Yellowstone Society
The Yellowstone Society is a distinguished group of stewards with a deep connection to Yellowstone. As a member of the Yellowstone Society, you are one of Yellowstone Forever’s most valued members. Your generous annual gift of $1,000 or more (or $84 a month) directly supports protecting, preserving, and enhancing Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/society
Planned Gift Opportunities
By making a planned gift you create a lasting investment that will help preserve Yellowstone National Park forever. Planned gift opportunities can range from bequests to donor advised funds and offer substantial tax advantages.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/planned-giving
Yellowstone Guardians
Provide steady monthly support to the park in the most sustainable way by becoming a Yellowstone Guardian. Setting up automatic payments through your digital wallet, credit card, or bank account is a breeze and helps reduce printing and mailing costs which ensures more of your gift goes directly to Yellowstone.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/monthly-giving
Matching Gifts
Make your gift go twice as far! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees.
Find out if your employer will match your gift by visiting: Yellowstone.org/matching-gifts
Gifts of Securities
Gifts of stock and other appreciated securities are an easy way to help Yellowstone while receiving a number of tax benefits.
For more information call: 406.848.2400
Memorial and Honor Gifts
Express your care and condolences or honor someone special with a tribute gift to Yellowstone. To make a gift please call 406.848.2400 or give online at Yellowstone.org and select the option to “dedicate my donation in memory or honor of someone.”
Corporate Partnerships
Become a corporate partner and help us meet the park’s needs while solving pivotal issues that impact Yellowstone on a daily basis.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/corporate-partnerships
Donate by Phone
Make a one-time or monthly donation by calling 406.848.2400 (Ext. 1).
Donate Online
Make a one-time or monthly donation by visiting Yellowstone.org/donate.
Donate by Mail
Yellowstone Forever PO Box 1857
Bozeman, MT 59771
A mail-in donation form is available for download on our website to include with your gift.
Institute Educational Programs
Join the Yellowstone Forever Institute on a journey of discovery and engage with the park like you never have before!
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/experience
Park Stores
Proceeds from purchases made at Yellowstone Forever educational park stores, including online, directly support Yellowstone National Park.
For more information visit: Shop.Yellowstone.org
While the fiscal year covered in this report is from March 1, 2023 –February 29, 2024, the board, National Advisory Council, and staff lists are as of July 15, 2024.
Leadership
Leadership Team
Lisa Diekmann, President & CEO
Sam Barkley, Chief Development Officer
Wendie Carr, Chief Marketing Officer
Amanda Hagerty, Director of Education
Joe Luttrell, Director of Retail
Kristi Mills, Chief Financial Officer
Nina Novikoff, Chief Human Resources Officer
National Advisory Council
Debra Head, NAC Leadership Facilitator
Arikha Moses, NAC Leadership Facilitator
David Defazio
Fred Dedrick
Ashley DeSmeth
Anne Duncan
Sheree Gillaspie
Scott Heppel
David Jones
Tom Murphy
Rose Hochner Nelson
Mark Nickell
Laura Orvidas
Alison Peacock
Alex Perez
Aida Phillips
Chris Smith
Doug Smith
Board of Directors
Doug Spencer, Board Chair
Paul Bertelli
Tom Detmer
Carolyn Heppel, Secretary
Lisa Diekmann, President & CEO
Annie Graham
Nicholas Olds, Vice Chair
Arielle Patrick
Susan Roeder
Jacqueline Rooney
Bob Rowe
Michael Solot, Treasurer
Stephanie Tarbet
Elizabeth Webb
David Youn
NPS/Jacob W. Frank, YF/Matt Ludin
YF/Matt Ludin, NPS/Jacob W. Frank
Jim Futterer, NPS/Addy Falgoust
YF/Matt Ludin
YF/Alyssa McGeeley
NPS/Jacob W. Frank
YF/Matt Ludin, NPS/Jacob W. Frank
YF/Matt Ludin, NPS/Jacob W. Frank
YF/Matt Ludin
YF/Matt Ludin
YF/Matt Ludin
Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy.
Yellowstone Forever P.O. Box 1857 Bozeman, MT 59771
