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Yellowstone Nature Connection presents history and youth programs to council
Summary
Jim Kitchen, president of the Yellowstone Nature Connection, told the West Yellowstone council about the historic ranger station, the nonprofit's volunteer operations, federal grants supporting youth programs, and interactive 'junior snow jumper' activities that reached more than 1,000 people this season.
Jim Kitchen, president of the Yellowstone Nature Connection, delivered the group's annual report during the council's public-comment period, highlighting the history of the town's historic Ranger Station and the nonprofit's educational work.
Kitchen said the station was originally built in 1922–23 and served as the Forest Service administrative office that held deeds and files for the original town site. He walked the council through the nonprofit’s founding after billeting pressures and funding challenges threatened continued operations, saying the organization was incorporated around 2005–2007 and now relies primarily on volunteers.
Kitchen described two federal grants that supported the nonprofit’s programs this year: one from the U.S. Forest Service for a youth ‘junior snow jumper’ program and a second grant to fund public fire-safety outreach. He estimated the group contacted more than 1,000 people this season through daily programs about the 1988 fires and said volunteers (usually 20–35 at any time) run interpretive activities, mock-airplane demonstrations and role-playing that aim to inspire outdoor careers.
As a demonstration, Kitchen led the room through the junior snow jumper oath and invited councilmembers and attendees to participate; he said the goal is to offer interactive, seasonal programming to engage kids and visitors. "Our goal and vision of our organization is to inspire kids to think about outdoor careers, not just smoke jumping..." Kitchen said.
Kitchen thanked the Salesforce Foundation and local partners for their support and asked the council to note the nonprofit’s ongoing stewardship of buildings the town now owns. He also urged the council to continue supporting connections between the nonprofit and local representatives to help secure the station’s future.
Kitchen paused for questions and offered to provide additional information to staff about programming and grant details.
Next steps for the council were limited to routine follow-up: the nonprofit will work with staff on any scheduling, space or maintenance needs and will provide written records of grants and program attendance if requested.
