ABOUT US

Friends of the National Elk Refuge

The new National Elk Refuge Nature Discovery Center will inform and educate generations of Americans and millions of visitors throughout this century and beyond. It will create a new standard for publicly accessible visitor centers throughout the nation. We plan to create a world-class facility and perpetually endow it with modern, state-of-the-art, immersive technologies to enable all visitors the opportunity to get closer to the sights and sounds of elk, bison, big horn sheep, and other refuge wildlife in the complex ecosystem that embodies the National Elk Refuge. Plans for this new facility are already underway. With your help, construction will begin in the spring of 2026, with completion planned for summer of 2029. Become a part of the legacy and history of Jackson Hole by contributing to this enduring gift to America.


PATRICK STARICH
Executive Director
Friends of the National Elk Refuge

ABOUT US

Friends of the National Elk Refuge was established in 2024 to provide financial support for the construction of a new Nature Discovery 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 Discovery Center.

OUR VISION

Our vision 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.

OUR MISSION

Friends of the National Elk Refuge will provide the financial support and guidance required to construct and perpetually maintain a visitor facility that celebrates the natural beauty, biodiversity, and history of the National Elk Refuge. It will be an enduring gift to the American people.

OUR CORE VALUES

USFWS / Ann Hough

INTEGRITY

Honesty, transparency, accountability, and fairness will guide our decisions and ensure our success.

EDUCATION

Knowledge empowers action. Educational programs, workshops, state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, and immersive experiences will promote the concepts of wildlife conservation.

USFWS / Tony Hough, Refuge Volunteer

STEWARDSHIP

We are committed to responsible and perpetual stewardship of the refuge and its resources, ensuring its continued benefit for future generations.

Refuge Biologist, Kari Cieszkiewicz/USFWS

COLLABORATION

Effective collaboration with other government agencies, nonprofits, and private partnerships will maximize our impact and ensure understanding and protection of refuge resources.

Joe Lieb / USFWS

INCLUSIVITY

Our center will be accessible to all, regardless of age, background, or abilities. It will embrace the cultural heritage of the region, from its earliest inhabitants to its current community.

Lori Iverson / USFWS

COMMUNITY

We will actively engage with local and Indigenous communities, schools, partner organizations and visitors to foster a sense of ownership and pride in the refuge.

FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL ELK REFUGE

[email protected]
PO Box 6286, Jackson, WY 83002

© Friends of the National Elk Refuge

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.