Wyoming Range Victory Party

Solar-powered bluegrass and heartfelt speeches by Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, U.S. Senator John Barrasso, and Susan Thomas drew cheers from the 200 attendants who turned out on August 23, 2009 to celebrate the passage of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act. Braving 40 miles of dirt and inclement weather, folks poured in to Gary Amerine’s hunting camp in the heart of the Wyoming Range from all corners of the state, and from as far as Washington, D.C., to recognize the significant contributions made by so many to pass the bill. Signed into law by President Obama on March 30, 2009, the act protects 1.2 million acres of this mountain range from future oil and gas development.

In her keynote address at the celebration, NOLS Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Director Jennifer Lamb took time to recognize those whose contributions were so great but were no longer with us to enjoy the day. Senator Craig Thomas, who passed away shortly before he would have introduced the bill, was represented by his wife, Susan Thomas. Duane Hyde, long-time game warden on the Wyoming Range and a co-founder of Sportsmen for the Wyoming Range, passed away just a few weeks before the celebration.

Jennifer Lamb also noted, “Outsiders to this campaign have expressed amazement with what this movement accomplished because of where it is located – in a region of intense energy development in a state with a proud legacy of serving our country’s energy needs – and because of its scope – 1.2 million acres. But I think what is more amazing is the way that so very many people came together to realize a common Wyoming vision and set a standard for Senator Craig Thomas’ point of balance.”

Several members of NOLS staff and faculty were in attendance, including Executive Director John Gans and the Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability team. Shooting the breeze in the shadow of Wyoming Peak while listening to the tunes of Steam Powered Airplane provided a fitting finish to this remarkable chapter in the story of the Wyoming Range.

Some NOLS staff and faculty showed up early and explored the Greys River valley. Good fishing, apparently, and Karly Copeland, Christi Van Eyken, and I can also verify that the tubing is good too.

For background on the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, visit our webpages: www.nols.edu/wyomingrange.

photos courtesy Joy Bannon & Scott Christy

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New Alumni Trip Completed: Photography & Fly Fishing

A band of intrepid NOLS grads and family members recently completed a new alumni trip in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains. This new trip's "focus" (pardon the pun) was on improving participants' travel photography and fly fishing skills.

The Winds are the perfect classroom for photography and fishing— the scenery is consistently stunning and the fish are voracious.

Not only was this a new type of trip, but we also believe it's the first time a computer has gone into the backcountry with NOLS! That's right, with the help of llama support, we schlepped a 17" MacBook into the mountains to allow us to download, compare and critique photos each night. 

 Aside from the fun, education, challenging weather and camaraderie, participants will also receive a completed photo book with a selection of everyone's best photos.  Wow, great times, plenty of fish, great family memories and a coffee table book to boot!

(Photos courtesy of Brad Christensen)

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Help us top off the windpant-o-meter!

 August 31st is the end of the NOLS fiscal year and the last day to contribute to the NOLS Annual Fund. With only 21 days left, we are standing at $1,191,281, or 96.5% of our initial goal of $1,234,000!  

Reaching our goal would be a huge accomplishment for the school this year. Due to the stock markets’ downturn, NOLS will not be receiving $484,000 in release from its endowment in this fiscal year. Despite this significant hurdle, the school has committed to still funding the 1.2 million dollars in scholarships originally budgeted. In order to reach this scholarship commitment, NOLS will be relying exclusively on Annual Fund donations.

If you haven’t made a gift to NOLS yet this fiscal year, please consider making one today!  You can call us in the NOLS Development office (#800-332-4280) or make a gift through our secure online gift form: https://www.nols.edu/eDonate/.

Thanks for all your support!

Lindsay Nohl
NOLS Annual Fund Manager & Field Instructor

 

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Wyoming Range Celebration - You're Invited!

Come one, come all, to the heart of the Wyoming Range. It’s time to celebrate!

Gary Amerine, co-founder of Citizens for the Wyoming Range and long-time outfitter with Greys River Trophies, has offered up his hunting camp as the locale for festivities celebrating the passage of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act. Guests of honor will include U.S. Senator John Barrasso, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal, and Susan Thomas, wife of the late U.S. Senator Craig Thomas. NOLS is co-organizing the event, and you are invited!

What: Wyoming Range Celebration!

When: Sunday, August 23, 1-5 p.m.

Where: Greys River Trophies Camp, Greys River Road mile 39, Wyoming Range

Who: Gary Amerine, Senator John Barrasso, Governor Dave Freudenthal

Why: To honor those who brought about the passage of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, which prevents future oil and gas development on 1.2 million acres of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

For more details about the Wyoming Range campaign, visit the ALL NEW Wyoming Range pages on the NOLS website: http://www.nols.edu/wyoming_range/

For event details such as directions and what to bring, contact Aaron Bannon at (307) 335-2312, or email aaron_bannon@nols.edu

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The 'Goods': Cans, Produce, and Community

The RM interns would like to give a quick shout out to the Lander community for their support of Tuesday's canned food drive.

Last Tuesday was the kick-off event for the local farmers' market, and the RM interns were grateful to  work in conjunction with the Lander food bank to help collect canned good donations.

Thank you to the people who came out to donate canned goods and support the local farmers' market.  The donations were much appreciated by both the Lander food bank and the volunteers involved with the event.

This event was just another opportunity to raise awareness for the food bank and the local produce available to the community.  The Lander food bank is always grateful to receive canned goods, and the farmers' market will continue to offer local produce every Tuesday afternoon, at the Museum of the American West, through the end of September.

We would like to thank the local farmers' market, the Lander food bank, and the volunteers that helped to make this food drive possible.  Thank you to Ximena, Chelsie, and Dustin for volunteering your time to help with this event.

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