Like many public lands across the country, the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is feeling the effects of staffing cuts, especially going into this summer. With fewer wilderness rangers and trail crews available, there’s a growing need for additional hands to help care for this vast, beloved landscape.
That’s where Friends of the Bridger-Teton comes in.
We’re excited to introduce the FBT Forest Corps, a new seasonal initiative designed to help fill critical gaps, not replace federal funding or Forest Service staff. This is a temporary, high-impact team that will lend a hand where it’s needed most- to support the Bridger-Teton National Forest however we can..
This summer, the Forest Corps will take on major trail and infrastructure projects across the forest, including restoring over 40 miles of trails in the Willow Creek area on the Jackson District, repairing fire-damaged sections of the Continental Divide Trail, tackling erosion and overgrowth in the Kemmerer District, and replacing a failing puncheon bridge at Two Ocean Pass in the Teton Wilderness—ensuring continued access and safety for all forest users.
We’ve hired five incredible women for the team, all of whom bring years of experience as former seasonal Forest Service employees. Their deep knowledge of the forest and commitment to public lands make them the perfect fit for this urgent mission.
Most importantly, we want to be clear: this program is not a substitute for federal investment or staffing. It’s a community-driven response to an immediate need—a way for those who care about the BTNF to step up and help protect what we all love.
We look forward to introducing you to the Forest Corps crew in the coming weeks. They’re passionate, experienced, and ready to hit the ground running to keep the forest accessible, safe, and healthy for all—hikers, riders, outfitters, wildlife, and future generations.
But we can’t do it alone.
The total cost of this effort is estimated at $180,000, which covers crew compensation, vehicle use, insurance, and admin support. Thanks to generous contributions from the Wyoming Wilderness Association, Trout Unlimited, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and Grand Teton Association, we’re already making strong progress toward our goal.
Now, we’re inviting you to join us. Please consider donating to this initiative so we can continue to enhance the user experience in the BTNF.
The BTNF needs its Friends more than ever.
