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The Jackson Hole Lands Trust remains optimistic conservation projects across a planned 20,000 acres in northwest Wyoming can continue despite a federal funding freeze.
Just over $21 million federal dollars were earmarked for landowner conservation easements in six counties in northwest Wyoming last fall. But the land trust has yet to receive any of the funds as the project has been under review by the Trump administration since January. That’s not a unique circumstance for federally-funded projects and organizations.
The freeze adds uncertainty, Executive Director Max Ludington said, but not nearly as much as other organizations dependent on federal funds.
If not awarded, Ludington said, there are workarounds.
“We use private philanthropy really effectively to leverage public dollars when we can,” he said.
Ludington was confident the project could proceed as planned since land deals were still a few years out, and he expects the Trump administration won’t take issue with the project’s goals.
“Conservation easements have never been political, they’ve never been partisan,” he said. “It’s a private transaction between a private landowner, and us, a private nonprofit.”
The money would go to landowners to limit development. The stated goal was to sequester carbon, support the region’s ungulate species, and support agricultural economies.
The initiative is in partnership with big conservation players: Grand Teton National Park, Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust.
Representatives from other organizations did not return requests for comment by press time.
