WHALES of Teton Valley • Entered by Liz McCane on December 20, 2023
Advocacy re: Kelly Parcel
November 1, 2023 – December 1, 2023
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | |
| Post Admin hours | |
| Activity Hours | 0.75 |
| Participants | 14 |
| Total Hours | 10.5 |
Key Issue: Multiple apply
Activity Type: Advocacy (rallies, lobbying, meeting decision makers, letters/calls/emails)
Key Partners: Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance
Landscape/area: Grand Teton National Park (310044 acres)
Measurable Outcomes
Outcome 1: Advocacy actions (14 comments)
Short Description of Activity
The Kelly Parcel is 640 acres of state-owned land bordered entirely by National Park and National Forest. The state of Wyoming proposed, in order to raise money for schools, selling the land at a public auction. This would most likely result in development for private homes. The land has stunning Teton views and is critical wildlife habitat and a migration corridor.
Reflection/Evaluation
14 Whales and friends were among thousands who commented on the proposed auction, the vast majority of which were negative. The Board tasked with the decision has tabled it until next fall. One proposal is to exchange the land for federal land in Wyoming with fossil fuel drilling rights. Others would like to see the property purchased for conservation and incorporated into the National Park. This is a sensitive and galvanizing issue the Whales will be responding to in the coming year.