Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has approved the sale of a 1-square-mile parcel of land near Grand Teton National Park to the U.S. government for $100 million.
• The land, known as the Kelly parcel, is a critical wildlife habitat and migration corridor for animals like elk, moose, and grizzly bears.
• The sale was facilitated by a combination of federal funding and private philanthropy, benefiting Wyoming’s public schools.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The sale of the Kelly parcel is the culmination of decades-long efforts to integrate state-owned land into Grand Teton National Park. This land, bordered by the national park on three sides and national forest on the fourth, has been a state-owned parcel since Wyoming’s statehood in 1890.

Core Players

• Governor Mark Gordon – Approved the sale, ensuring it aligns with state interests.
• Grand Teton National Park Foundation – Raised $37.6 million in private funds to support the purchase.
• U.S. Department of the Interior – Provided $62.4 million from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
• Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners – Voted to proceed with the sale.

Key Numbers

• $100 million – Total sale price of the Kelly parcel.
• $62.4 million – Funding from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund.
• $37.6 million – Private philanthropic funds raised by the Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
• 640 acres – Size of the Kelly parcel.
• 1929 – Year Grand Teton National Park was established.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The decision to sell the Kelly parcel was driven by the need to balance conservation goals with the state’s mandate to generate income from school trust lands. Wyoming governors have long sought to encourage federal officials to purchase these lands rather than auctioning them off to developers.

Governor Mark Gordon ensured the sale would not unduly restrict development in other areas of southwestern Wyoming, particularly regarding oil and gas drilling.

Inside Forces

The Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners, comprising Governor Gordon and other top state officials, voted 3-2 in November to proceed with the sale. This decision followed extensive debates about whether to negotiate a trade for federally owned mineral rights instead.

The sale aligns with the state’s constitutional mandate to generate income from school trust lands, which have historically yielded little revenue through grazing leases and other uses.

Power Dynamics

Governor Gordon played a crucial role in the negotiation, balancing state interests with federal requirements. His office communicated with Wyoming’s congressional delegation and potential members of the incoming administration to address concerns about the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s plan for southwestern Wyoming.

Gordon criticized the BLM’s plan as “the Biden administration’s parting shot” at Wyoming but supported the land sale to protect the state’s interests.

Outside Impact

The acquisition of the Kelly parcel has significant broader implications. It maintains essential connectivity for wildlife within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the last nearly intact temperate ecosystems on Earth.

The sale also underscores the role of philanthropy in conservation. The Grand Teton National Park Foundation’s fundraising efforts, supported by numerous donors and organizations, were pivotal in securing the land for the national park.

Future Forces

The integration of the Kelly parcel into Grand Teton National Park sets a precedent for future conservation efforts. It highlights the importance of collaborative efforts between government agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private donors in preserving critical lands.

Future initiatives may focus on similar land acquisitions and conservation projects, leveraging a mix of public and private funding to protect environmentally significant areas.

Data Points

• 1890: Year Wyoming received the land at statehood.
• 2003: Legislation passed by Senator Craig Thomas to authorize exchanges, sales, or trades of state-owned land within Grand Teton.
• 2016: National Park Service purchased the Antelope Flats parcel for $46 million.
• 12 months: Duration of the fundraising campaign by the Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
• 400+ donors: Number of contributors from 46 states who supported the land purchase.