The WYldlife Fund
Faced with a number of private donors desiring to support wildlife causes that aligned with the strategic vision and mission of the Department, and no proper channel for these funds to be accepted and deployed, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission (Commission), in tandem with the Department, gathered stakeholders and decision makers from across Wyoming; forming a steering committee in pursuit of a resolution…The WYldlife Fund was created in 2019.
Through its strategic partnership with the Department, the Fund was granted tax exempt status as a 501c3, providing donors with full tax deductible benefits and ensurance of targeted funding to the donor’s project of choice. Despite working closely with the Commission and the Department, the Fund remains an autonomous entity. Steadfast in its mission to Wyoming wildlife, the Fund is a lean and efficient organization comprised of one employee, a seven-member Board of Directors and Ex Officio Honorary Director, Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director, Brian Nesvik.
The Fund cares about people just as much as it does wildlife. With great focus on conserving people’s love of wildlife; the Fund aims to unify and synergize conservation by supporting the wildlife preservation efforts of other non-governmental entities in Wyoming through the facilitation of grant agreements with the Department.
The mission of the WYldlife fund is to serve as a partner foundation to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, The WYldlife Fund is uniquely positioned to have a profound positive impact.
WYldlife's Work
- To unite people to advance Wyoming habitat, research, and education;
- To promote sustainable use of Wyoming’s wildlife habitats and natural resources for future generations;
- To promote conservation and responsible conservation and enhancement of Wyoming’s fish, wildlife, natural resources, and outdoor recreational opportunities through education and advocacy
The WYldlife Fund is laser focused on implementing solutions to the obstacles facing Wyoming's wildlife today while keeping a steadfast eye on the future. As part of their overall mission to advance western conservation, they are proud to support, promote and help manage the following signature programs. Both Wildlife Tourism for Tomorrow and the Western Conservation Leadership Development Program are critical to investing in important wildlife projects as well as helping to empower future leaders in the field of conservation.
Wyoming’s superlative wildlife brings in thousands of visitors each year—visitors who explore our parks, stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, enjoy our recreation services, and shop in our communities. Our economy depends on tourism, and tourism depends on our wildlife.
Historically, the wildlife tourism industry received the benefits of Wyoming’s wildlife but contributed little to the conservation of this critical resource. WYldlife for Tomorrow is changing this paradigm with a new funding mechanism that allows businesses that depend on wildlife and Wyoming lands to contribute to a sustainable future for the animals – and ourselves. We connect Wyoming tourism, recreation and ancillary businesses with important conservation projects designed to protect wildlife habitat in the state. Through innovative, tax-deductible giving initiatives made via our partner, The WYldlife Fund, businesses directly contribute to the success of on-the-ground improvements to the natural infrastructure sustaining our billion-dollar wildlife recreation economy.
Wildlife Crossings
Where feasible and appropriate, highway underpasses and overpasses, coupled with game fencing, can be highly effective at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and ensuring that animals can safely and freely cross roads. Underpasses and overpasses in Wyoming and elsewhere in the west have been demonstrated to consistently reduce collisions by 80-90% and connect habitat for wildlife.
The WYldlife Fund has helped raise $377,028.78 to send to the I-25 Wildlife Crossing Project. These contributions have been made possible by numerous partners throughout Wyoming and the United States! This stretch of highway between Buffalo and Kaycee is the second deadliest stretch of roadway for mule deer in the state. This cost effective project will act as a model for other projects like it across the west, as existing agriculture underpasses are being utilized to provide safe passage for wildlife crossing the busy highway. Approximately 18 miles of fencing will be installed to funnel wildlife to these existing agriculture underpasses. A camera study has proven these existing underpasses to be successful currently, as wildlife already navigate them and by installing fencing this success rate should sky rocket even higher and virtually eliminate wildlife being hit on this stretch of highway.
Join us in supporting the WYldlife fund
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 the WYldlife fund ensure precise and efficient allocation of resources on the ground to advance wildlife projects across Wyoming.