Why SHIFT?
Since the days of John Muir, active engagement with the outdoors has produced some of the country’s strongest and most inspiring conservation leaders. Today, with the membership of traditional conservation organizations aging, outdoor recreation offers a remarkable opportunity to reinvigorate the protection of our public lands and waters—but only if the next generation of stewards is able to engage with them in the first place.
Why Jackson?
Conservation and outdoor recreation have coexisted in Jackson Hole since Nathaniel Langford and James Stevenson ditched the Hayden Geological Survey in 1872 to attempt the Grand Teton. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosytem is the birthplace of some of the world’s seminal conservation efforts, including the formation of Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, the expansion of Grand Teton National Park to its current boundaries, and the drafting of the Wilderness Act. We live here to climb, ski, hunt, fish, bike, to marvel at the grizzlies and the wolves, to understand ourselves in nature’s context. The outdoor recreation/conservation partnership lies at the heart of Jackson Hole’s environment, economy and character. Simply put, there's no better place to explore the ongoing relationship—and the ways we can leverage it for the protection of our wild places.
Why October?
IT'S AUTUMN. Autumn in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem means fall foliage, bugling elk, uncrowded trails and rivers and crisp, clear days, all in the shadow of the magnificent Tetons.
IT'S THE SHOULDER SEASON. The shoulder season in Jackson Hole means lower prices, restaurant specials, friendly locals and a relaxed pace.
IT'S JACKSON HOLE. Accessibility (direct flights from major airports), snow-dusted mountains, world-class amenities, abundant wildlife and gold-medal trail systems make Jackson Hole the perfect place to inspire the outdoor recreation/conservation partnership.
