Foundations near halfway point in bid for state land
The Grand Teton National Park Foundation and the National Park Foundation report they have now raised $11.5 million towards their campaign to protect the 640-acre Antelope Flats parcel inside Grand Teton National Park. That is about half of the total necessary to purchase the state-owned property.
The total value of the parcel is appraised at $46 million. The land has been part of the Wyoming school trust since 1890 and the state is required by law to earn income from trust assets. In addition to the $23 million generated from private fundraising, the remaining half will come from the federal government’s Land and Water Conservation Fund.
The state’s authority to sell the land to the federal government expires on December 31, 2016.
Several individuals and organizations have contributed to the fundraising effort, including a $1 million grant from the Knobloch Family Foundation and $1 million from the Jackson Hole Land Trust. The National Park Foundation also contributed $1 million.
“We continue to be amazed by the philanthropic work of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation and the National Park Foundation,” said Grand Teton National Park Superintendent David Vela. “The work they are doing to protect the Antelope Flats parcel from development is crucial to the future of the park and the bison, elk, pronghorn, and other animals that use this habitat.”
More information about the fundraising effort is available here
