Grand Teton National Park and The Conservation Fund Reach Final Milestone in 25-Year Effort to Preserve Park

JACKSON, Wyo. — A decades-long effort to protect some of the most important remaining private lands within Grand Teton National Park has reached its final milestone. The moment marks 25 years of partnership between The Conservation Fund and the National Park Service to protect the park with 210 additional acres to preserve iconic views, wildlife habitat, and public access at one of America’s most beloved National Parks.

“The landscapes that define Grand Teton National Park exist today because generations of people have made the commitment to protect them,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “This milestone represents decades of stewardship and collaboration to conserve wildlife habitat, maintain the scenic character visitors cherish, and preserve the integrity of this landscape.”

For more than two decades, The Conservation Fund has worked closely with the National Park Service to acquire a series of six strategically important private properties within the border of Grand Teton National Park. Today, all six of these properties are now protected, furthering completion of the park by a total of 210 acres. Without protection, development of these properties could have fragmented habitat, altered scenic vistas, and diminished visitor experiences throughout the area.

“Grand Teton National Park is one of the most celebrated national parks in the United States, renowned for its breathtaking mountain vistas, abundant wildlife and world-class outdoor recreation,” said Dan Schlager, Wyoming state director at The Conservation Fund. “This milestone reflects the power of long-term conservation partnerships to safeguard the Tetons’ iconic landscape and preserve its natural character for generations to come.”

The properties, located near Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, protect the scenic character of the park’s southwestern entrance, conserve particularly sensitive wildlife habitat, and maintain the recreational quality of the popular Valley Trail. Together, these lands help safeguard the scenic character, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities that define the park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

By incorporating these lands, the partnership also strengthens connections among a larger conserved landscape within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate ecosystems on earth.

Beyond its environmental value, Grand Teton National Park serves as a powerful economic engine for the region. In 2024, the park welcomed over 3.6 million visitors, generating an estimated $983 million in economic output for local communities and supporting more than 6,860 jobs.

The conservation effort was made possible through funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF, established in 1965, reinvests a small percentage of offshore energy revenues — not taxpayer dollars — in conservation and recreation access projects that support critical natural resources, wild habitats, historic sites, and working lands. This achievement was made possible through the partnership of The Conservation Fund, the National Park Service, and LWCF funding secured with the support of U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis.

About The Conservation Fund
The Conservation Fund protects the land that sustains us all. We are in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action in all 50 states for climate protection, vibrant communities and sustainable economies. We apply effective strategies, efficient financing approaches and enduring government, community and private partnerships to protect millions of acres of America’s natural land, cultural sites, recreation areas and working forests and farms. To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org