Friends of the National Elk Refuge
Friends of the National Elk Refuge is a nonprofit organization based in Jackson, Wyoming, dedicated to supporting the National Elk Refuge — one of America's most iconic wildlife sanctuaries. Established in 1912, the National Elk Refuge protects nearly 25,000 acres of grasslands, wetlands, and forests in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Each winter, thousands of elk migrate to the refuge from as far away as southern Yellowstone National Park, making it one of the longest elk migrations in the lower 48 states. The refuge is also home to bison, bighorn sheep, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, wolves, and cutthroat trout.
Friends of the National Elk Refuge (FNER) was incorporated as a Wyoming nonprofit in 2024 to serve as the principal fundraiser supporting construction of a new Nature Discovery Center. The new facility will replace the aging visitor center at the north edge of the Town of Jackson, creating a transformative space where people can connect with nature, learn about the wildlife that populate the refuge, and become stewards for conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
The refuge has deep roots in grassroots conservation. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, settlement in Jackson Hole disrupted traditional elk migration routes. Homesteads, fences, and farming replaced historic wintering grounds, and severe winters led to the starvation of thousands of elk. Dismayed by the devastation, local residents launched a campaign that gained national attention. Photographer Stephen Leek's powerful images of starving elk helped rally public support, and in 1912, Congress established the National Elk Refuge — one of the earliest examples of community-driven wildlife conservation in American history.
FNER acknowledges the deep Indigenous history of the refuge landscape. Numerous Tribes, including the Apsáalooke/Crow, Arapaho, Shoshone, Bannock, and Nez Perce, among many others, consider the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem part of their ancestral homelands. The lands and waters of the refuge have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial, and FNER is committed to representing the cultural heritage of the region in all of its programs.
The mission of Friends of the National Elk Refuge is to create a transformative experience where people connect with nature, learn the natural history of the elk and other wildlife that populate the refuge, and become stewards for conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Friends of the National Elk Refuge's Work
The following are a couple highlights of the impactful work of FNER.
Nature Discovery Center
The centerpiece of FNER's efforts is the construction of a new Nature Discovery Center in Jackson, Wyoming. The proposed 8,500-square-foot facility will feature state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, and an elevated viewing platform overlooking the refuge landscape. Plans also include habitat restoration on the surrounding grounds and a trail network within the green space north of the building. The center will be accessible at no cost to all visitors, regardless of age, background, or abilities. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has earmarked $14 million from the Great American Outdoors Act toward the project, and FNER is working to raise an additional $20 million through its capital campaign to bring this vision to life.
Join us in supporting Friends of the National Elk Refuge
75% of this month's donations will go towards this month's partner
This month and every month, Wild Boyz Photography will be partnering with one nonprofit. 75% of any donations that we receive during the month will go to the nonprofit. Help Friends of the National Elk Refuge as they connect people with nature and teach the natural history of elk.