INVITE ONLY

2026 Saving Yellowstone: America’s Majestic Ecosystem Conservation Summit

August 18-20, 2026

Agenda

The Impact

What to Expect

The Yellowstone Ecosystem, covering 22 million acres in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, is one of the last intact temperate ecosystems, now facing significant threats from climate change and human activity. The 2026 Summit aims to connect university researchers, elected officials, conservation professionals and land managers to ensure coordinated action for its protection. Your participation is crucial, as your expertise and influence will help shape the path forward for science, policy and land management in this vital ecosystem.

Your Invitation Includes:

  • The opportunity to help shape collaborative conservation strategies

  • Access to all presentations, discussions, and field experiences

  • All meals from Tuesday evening through Thursday evening

  • Lodging for the duration of the summit

Together, we can ensure that the howl of the wolf, the bugle of the elk, and the rumble of the bison continue to echo across America's most iconic landscape for generations to come.

Registration is now closed.

RSVP

Agenda

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Faculty, administrators, & students arrive at Jackson Fork Ranch

5:00 PM | Cocktail hour

6:00 PM | Dinner

7:00 PM | Welcome – Joe Ricketts

7:15 PM | Keynote speaker – Todd Wilkinson, Yellowstonian

Tuesday, August 18

7:30 AM | Breakfast

8:30 AM | Introductory Comments – Joe Ricketts

9:00 AM | Student Presentations

  • Great Gray Owls - Arcata Leavitt, Montana State University

  • Pronghorn - Day Scott, University of Idaho

  • Rattlesnakes - Emily Martin, University of Idaho

  • Pygmy Rabbits - Ilaria Bacchiocchi, University of Idaho

  • Wolves - Koryna Boudinot, University of Idaho

10:15 AM | BREAK – 15 MINUTES

10:30 AM | Ignite Session 1: Conservation Priorities

  • Protecting and Restoring Vital Natural Connections

    • Lesli Allison, Chief Executive Officer, Western Landowners Alliance, Santa Fe, NM

  • Preserving Essential Wildlife Habitats

    • Timothy Kramer, WY Coordinator, Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program, USFWS, Lander, WY

  • Conserving Natural Migration Routes

    • Erin Welty and Kimi Zamuda, Co-Chairs, Absaroka Fence Initiative, Cody, WY

  • Safeguarding Water Resources

    • Brandon Hoffner, Executive Director, Henry’s Fork Foundation, Ashton, ID

  • Managing and Preventing Threats to the Ecosystems

    • Dan Tyers, Wildlife Biologist, USFS, Bozeman, MT

  • Developing Strategies for a Changing Environment

    • Jaap Vos, Professor of Planning & Natural Resources, Director of Environmental Science Program, University of Idaho, Boise, ID

  • Promoting Sustainable Practices

    • Carlin Girard, Executive Director, Teton Conservation District, Jackson, WY

12:00 PM | LUNCH BREAK

1:00 PM | Panel Discussion: Private Lands Conservation

  • Steve Sharkey, Knobloch Family Foundation

  • Mike Phillips, Turner Endangered Species Fund

  • Brian Yablonski, Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC)

  • Max Ludington, Jackson Hole Land Trust

2:30 PM | BREAK – 15 MINUTES

2:45 PM | Student Presentations

  • Cutthroat Trout - Phil Douchinsky, University of Montana

  • Osprey - Morgan McDonnell, University of Montana

  • Tree Swallows - Gavin Hughes, University of Montana

  • Grassland Birds - Alsea Morton, University of Montana

  • Loons - Kelsey Cronin, University of Montana

4:00 PM | BREAK – 15 MINUTES

4:15 PM | Ignite Session 2: Partnership Approach

  • Creating Collaborative Incentive Programs

    • Scott Christensen, Executive Director, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Bozeman, MT

  • Facilitating Voluntary Land Protection

    • Kim Trotter, Executive Director, Teton Regional Land Trust, Driggs, ID

  • Providing Community Engagement and Education

    • Renee Seidler, Executive Director, Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, Jackson, WY

  • Developing Platforms for Shared Information

    • Andrew Olsen, Conservation Coordinator, Intermountain West Joint Venture, Missoula, MT

  • Engaging in Collaborative Land Management

    • Ken Coffin, Supervisor, Shoshone National Forest, USFS, Cody, WY &

    • Laura Bell, East Yellowstone Regional Director, Legacy Works Group, Cody, WY

5:30 PM | Cocktails & Appetizers

6:30 PM | Dinner

8:00 PM | After Dinner Video

Wednesday, August 19

7:30 AM | Breakfast

8:30 AM | Student Presentations

  • Clark’s Nutcracker - Karina Li, University of Colorado Denver

  • Golden Eagles - Ellen Ye, University of Wyoming

  • Beavers, Moose - Macy Jacobson, University of Wyoming

  • Wolves, Coyotes, Foxes - Emily Davis, University of Wyoming

  • Squirrel, Marten, Weasel - Lauren Wetterau, University of Wyoming

  • Trumpeter Swans - Charles Grigsby, University of Wyoming

10:00 AM | Keynote Speaker – Jonathan Schechter, Jackson Town Council

11:00 AM | Wrap-up and Gratitude – Joe Ricketts

12:00 PM | Lunch

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Optional Field Trips

Thursday, August 20