Bridger-Teton National Forest 2019

The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) sits to the east and south of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks. This region, referred to as the Greater Yellowstone area, gets millions of visitors each year; many who pass through the area on their way to the national parks. However, this 3.45-million acre forest is popular in its own right, with nearly three million people visiting in 2018. Visitors enjoy a wide diversity of activities in the BTNF. Frontcountry areas are extremely popular with both local residents and visitors who come to hike, mountain bike, walk dogs, take photos, ski, snowboard, snowshoe, hunt, ride OHVs and camp. The Upper Snake River runs through the forest and is a popular site for fishing, paddling, tubing and enjoying seasonal hot springs. The forest is also used extensively by guides and outfitters who offer guided recreational experiences to visitors year-round.

With such high visitation and wide-ranging recreational opportunities, the impacts facing the Bridger-Teton National Forest are equally wide-ranging.  Litter, human and pet waste, undesignated trails, and campsite impacts have been steadily increasing over the years.  Additionally, user conflicts and wildlife impacts have been on the rise as this area continues to gain popularity

* This was originally scheduled for February 2019, but was postponed until late October because of the government shutdown*

Solution

• 7 Educational and Strategic Programs
• 79 People Educated

The Leave No Trace team spend a week on-site in Jackson, WY to host and facilitate various educational and strategic planning workshops.  Topics included improved face to face communication techniques, as well as creating clear and consistent messaging across stakeholder groups for web-based resources.  Using the Hot Spot as a catalyst to discuss the foundational work necessary to build consistent messaging in regards to the forest and its recreational opportunities provided meaningful outcomes for the future.  As these plans develop into the future, Leave No Trace education and information will be able to be implemented in deeper ways than they are now.