Things aren't slowing down, we're just changing direction!

Programs are beginning to dwindle, but we still have our 20,000+ person Rendezvous and a few more cool offerings. What do we do all winter?! We still offer programs (and sometimes even campouts!) and plan, write and wrap up grants, attend and present at conferences, and regroup!

While we still have some summer left, take the chance to attend a demonstration or tour at Fort Bridger (no pre-registration) or a tour of the Carissa or English Tunnel (sign up at https://www.southpasscity.org/tours). All of these offerings are included in admission!

Follow our new Facebook and Instagram pages just for our district - @ShoshoneDistrict!

The end of the summer season means the end of seasonal employees! Summer is of course our busiest time in Wyoming. I gold panned in German, Madelyn gave a French family a ferret program, and we interacted with other visitors from all over the world. We remarked on how fast and full the summer was, but the numbers speak for themselves!

In the last month alone we hosted a Paint in the Park at Sinks (pictured), Madelyn helped out with 160 scouts and their families at Buffalo Bill, we had pop ups and ferret programs, we had two women's campouts, I taught at Becoming an Outdoors Woman with WGFD, and a women's 101 series.

Madelyn came to us from University of Wisconsin Steven's Point. She spent the summer creating roving interp backpacks, hosting our weekly ferret programs, prepping and cleaning from programs, creating wildflower reports, helping at big events like Gold Rush Days and the Fort's Fourth of July, and more.

District Manager Kyle took us to dinner for Madelyn's end of season to talk about all that we achieved this summer!

Beatrix came from Suwanee University in Georgia to work in the Big Horn District! She covered Hot Springs, Medicine Lodge, Boysen, and Buffalo Bill. In her 12 weeks Beatrix put on 40 programs with 1,200 visitors (she planned and executed in that time)! She helped with Discovery Days, BioBlitz at three sites, Latino Outdoors and more. She also led some new programs - guided hikes at Hot Springs and campfire nights at Boysen. District Manager Brooks took us to lunch to decompress, celebrate, and go over feedback from the summer!

I just completed my TENTH women's campout since starting them in the summer of 2022. This time South Pass City hosted us and we teamed up with the Office of Outdoor Recreation! Women came in from Casper, Gillette, Rock Springs, Evanston, Cheyenne, Laramie, Thermopolis, Hudson, Buffalo, Greybull, and Lander.

South Pass is a special place - but it's extra special to get to camp out there. Thanks to that fabulous staff for hosting us!

We have had two campouts and four monthly sessions for our Wyoming Wildflower Women this summer! Next up we have Leave No Trace and Climbing with a few spots left. Sign up now https://wyoparks.info/WildflowerWomen. 

Do you like trivia, puzzles, and the outdoors? Join us for the Great South Pass History Hunt! Pre-register your team now: southpasscity.org/hunt.

This is the largest mountain man rendezvous and happens right at Fort Bridger! Join us for demonstrations, seeing the traders and buying some new (old) goods, and taking part in the reenactment. Cost is $5 and we recommend carrying cash, dressing for the weather, wearing good shoes, and not relying on cell service for communication!

🌌September 7th Stars of Sinks Canyon 9:00-10:30. Join us for a dark sky tour at the visitor center! Bring your red lights and download a night sky app to aid your viewing. This is free and open to the public!

Kids Underground Adventures are back!

This is open to kids 10-17-years-old and requires an adult to accompany them into Sinks Canyon's awesome Boulder Choke Cave. It's about a 1/2 mile exploration with a guide, all supplies (helmet, overalls, etc.) provided.

We have two chances to catch this program from 9:00-12:00.

It is $5/person and pre-registration is required at https://wyoparks.info/KidsUnderground.

Join Bear River on the viewing deck at the visitor center for a bison and elk program. This is free, open to the public, and accessible for visitors. Join us Wednesdays at 2:00 for the remainder of August.

Bear River State Park has one more summer movie - tonight, August 16th. Join us in the Rendezvous Area for a free movie! Your concession stand purchases go to the Friends of Bear River to help fund these events. 

Bear River's Hawk Talk series is not done yet! Catch a great-horned owl September 17th at 5:30 in the Bear River shelter.

Would you believe that I love conferences? 

I am so grateful that my leadership here in Wyoming allows us to attend conferences. Since moving to Wyoming, I have presented nationally all three years at the National Association for Interpretation (twice with Kyle and superintendent Jessica has presented as well!). This December the three of us will be presenting a long session on signs together!

Here I am at State Park Leadership School with National Association of State Park Director's President, Lewis Ledford. We're holding the NASPD calendar depicting a photo from my friend Rose taken at Sinks Canyon!

Conferences allow us to learn the latest and greatest, see what's worked for our peers, and make sure we're keeping Wyoming moving forward. I absolutely love catching up with colleagues who become friends and meeting new folks. When I have a question or need some advice, I have Rob who is the chief of interp from TN or Ky who was the chief of interp in TX - or my friends Amanda and Kyle in Oklahoma to call, text, and email!

I have loved meeting directors and former directors from across the country through the National Association of State Park Directors. It feels great to meet someone and them to say "I love Nick" (Nick Neylon, our deputy director). Wyoming has a small population and very small staff compared to the rest of the country, but knowing that we have the top quality folks representing us is lucky and promising for our state.

Former Florida director Donald Forgione and Texas director Rodney Franklin are two of the best! I was so pleased to be able to hang out with them at State Park Leadership School. Kyle and I have been on Donald's podcast a few times! Look up Tailgate Talks with Donald Forgione. We'll get to see these two again next month at a conference!

And dare I say - we represent Wyoming well at these national conferences. I love when Kyle and I enter a room and someone shouts "Wyoming in the house!" We pass out stickers, mingle, present and use our time at the conferences to spread the great work we're doing here. We're proud to represent Wyoming!

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