ABOUT US

Friends of the National Elk Refuge

“The National Elk Refuge Nature Center will be the anchor for inspiring Refuge experiences that encourage visitors of all abilities and backgrounds to connect to the refuge’s wildlife conservation role in Jackson Hole.”

National Elk Refuge Visitor & Community Engagement Team

ABOUT FNER

FNER was established in 2024 to provide financial support for the construction of a new Nature Center. It will replace the aging visitor center at the north edge of the Town of Jackson. The Friends will raise funds to supplement federal grants already earmarked for construction of the new facility. Additionally, the Friends will raise funds to create an endowment, ensuring continuous maintenance, and perpetual stewardship of the Nature Center.

MISSION

Connecting people with nature by creating a world-class wildlife experience at the heart of the National Elk Refuge.

VISION

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.

FNER’S CORE VALUES

USFWS / Ann Hough

Wildlife & Habitat Conservation

The Nature Center safeguards & interprets 24,700 acres of crucial elk habitat & supports over 175 bird species. Habitat restoration efforts protect and enhance waterways vital to the Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

USFWS / Tony Hough, Refuge Volunteer

Sustainability & Stewardship

The new facility is designed for long-term sustainability and will include habitat restoration and educational endowment support

Joe Lieb / USFWS

Accessibility

Fully accessible design to ensure inclusion and equitable access for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Education & Awareness

Approximately 40,000 learners per year will engage in immersive, nature-based programs, building lifelong stewardship and awareness of native species, such as the cutthroat trout.

Lori Iverson / USFWS

Community & Engagement

Located at the heart of Jackson, the Center serves as a gathering place connecting residents, visitors, and schools to Wyoming’s conservation legacy. Monthly book clubs and partnerships with many local businesses and nonprofits to further strengthen community connections.

FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL ELK REFUGE

307-376-FNER (3637)
[email protected]
PO Box 6286, Jackson, WY 83002

Friends of the National Elk Refuge, Inc. is a Wyoming nonprofit corporation registered under IRS Code 501(c)(3). The Friends welcome both cash and in-kind donations. Cash donations may be tax-deductible depending on donor’s individual circumstances. The Friends do not appraise or assess the value of in-kind donations such as investment securities, materials, or services. Determination of the tax-deductible value of in-kind donations is the responsibility of the donor.