July 2025 Newsletter

Dear Supporter,

Happy Summer! There’s never a dull moment here at the Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter, but still, we manage to find time to get into the hills, explore, and connect with nature - we hope you’ll join us. Read on for issue updates, action opportunities, and outings details.

Outings & events highlights

Our summer events and outings are officially under way. We have two great opportunities this month - a free campout near the Tetons at the Gros Ventere Campground and an in-depth tour of a wind farm in southern Wyoming. Come connect with likeminded folks in the outdoors and get the lowdown on how wind energy is sited and its role in our energy grid.

Can’t make one of these events? Visit our website to check out the rest of our outings calendar!

July 11-13 | Camping in the Tetons
(Jackson)|Register Here

Leader: Kelsey Yarzab Yates, kelsey.yarzabyates@sierraclub.org or (908) 229-6124

Join Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter for a weekend of camping, hiking, and community in Grand Teton National Park. We'll spend two nights at the Gros Ventre Campground, which will act as our base camp while we explore Grand Teton National Park by day. Like all of our outings, this event is FREE, but may require a national park pass. RSVP for additional details, or contact Kelsey Yarzab Yates (kelsey.yarzabyates@sierraclub.org) with questions.

July 31 | High Plains/ McFadden Ridge Wind Farm Tour (Arlington) | Register Here

Leader: Emma Jones, emma.jones@sierraclub.org or (402)-889-0464

Take a tour of Rocky Mountain Power’s High Plains/McFadden Ridge Wind Farm North of Arlington! The High Plains project consists of 85 turbines and produces about 100 MW of energy. On this tour, we will learn the basics of wind energy production- from transmission to siting to wildlife impact mitigation. This tour is FREE. We will plan to depart as a group from Laramie around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31st and begin our tour at around 6:15 p.m. The farm is around 45 minutes from Laramie, so we will expect the event to last around 3 hours including drive time. RSVP for more details and carpool information or contact Emma Jones (emma.jones@sierraclub.org) with any questions.

Speaking up for wildlife

Last month, SCWY staffer Kelsey Yarzab Yates was featured in an episode of Wyoming Public Radio’s “The Modern West” podcast. The episode explored the increasing threat of Chronic Wasting Disease to elk populations across the state and featured a variety of stakeholders who care deeply about the future of our elk herds in NW Wyoming. Listen to the episode here.

Also last month, Sierra Club’s Nick Gevock teamed up with Wyoming Wildlife Advocates Director Kristin Combs to weigh in on why “Brian Nesvick is the Wrong Choice to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service”. Nesvik, who formerly led Wyoming’s Game and Fish Department, was nominated by the Trump Administration to head up the national agency, but has yet to be confirmed. Read the opinion piece here to find out why he’s unfit for the job.

Defend our forests

Bridger-Teton Forest Planning Update

The Bridger-Teton National Forest planning process is underway, and a public comment period will begin soon! This Friday, July 11, the forest will release a draft assessment and proposed species of conservation concern. The public comment period will be open through August 24, 2025. Additionally, the Bridger-Teton National Forest will host in-person meetings to discuss the assessment next week in Afton, Jackson, and Pinedale. See the official press release for more information.

Roadless Rule in Peril

Last month, the Trump Administration announced their intention to revoke the Roadless Rule, which has been responsible for protecting 58.5 million acres across the National Forest System. The Roadless Area Conservation Rule, commonly known as the Roadless Rule, was enacted in 2001 by President Bill Clinton. More than 1.6 million public comments were submitted in support of keeping wild landscapes intact, and it has withstood decades of attacks from critics. Now, as we face the complete reversal of the rule, it's time to remind the Administration just how important these landscapes continue to be in the hearts and minds of the American people. Check out this map from Outdoor Alliance to see the lands impacted by this decision.

Onward!

Rob Joyce
Chapter Director
Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter

Published: July 2025