Wyoming Wilderness Association works to protect wild lands for the long term benefit of people and wildlife. Many who live here understand the basics of caring for the place. Stewardship of natural resources is a number one priority for most residents as revealed in the recent local planning process (60% of all comments received). As one commenter stated: “Once you have allowed growth (use) to occur in an irresponsible manner, it will not be possible to ever recreate the beauty of this valley or bring back wildlife destroyed …” Many people who live, work and visit this valley tend to agree.
WWA believes that we need effective communication tools to accomplish the goal of protecting this place. WWA is eager to provide simple, “tried & true” strategies for using our natural resources lightly. We know that successful communication can influence minds and attitudes. Living and Playing in Wild Country will inspire choices that are compatible with long term sustainability.
Wyoming Wilderness Association is creating a simple Guide and Website that will support and encourage citizen participation and will give the public a shared vocabulary for involvement with this process. It will also serve to educate visitors and locals in a general way about wild lands in the region and about best practices for living compatibly with wildlife.
We can address confusions around natural resource management. Living and Playing in Wild Country will throw light onto the baffling variety of different management regimes and public land classifications. Another objective of the project is to cut through controversy and focus on the fundamentals of living in this unique place.
As we all know, Jackson Hole is home to some of the nation’s most abundant wildlife and to some of its largest public wilderness lands. Everyone who lives in or visits this region can share responsibility to protect these lands. The Guide is intended to help people understand their roles in protecting the unique qualities of this wild, vulnerable landscape.
WWA plans to distribute the Guide to a diverse audience, including real estate offices, hotel lobbies, airports, civic groups, schools, chamber of commerce packets etc. We intend for the Guide to become a popular source for simple, friendly and non-partisan education and actions for living harmoniously with nature in the region. The accompanying website will give WWA a place to track effectiveness, monitoring people’s use of the site as they record their ‘wild country’ stories and experiences.
Learn more about the Living and Playing in Wild Country project at the project page, where you can watch a 5-minute video and download the project application.
Tags: 1% for the Tetons, Living and Playing in Wild Country, One Percent for the Tetons, One28, WWA, Wyoming Wilderness Association
