Bridging the Gap on the BTNF
Like many public lands across the country, the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) is feeling the effects of staffing cuts, especially starting in 2025. With fewer wilderness rangers and trail crews available, there was a growing need for additional hands to help care for this vast, beloved landscape.
That’s where Friends of the Bridger-Teton came in.
In 2025, we introduced the FBT Forest Corps, a seasonal initiative designed to help fill critical gaps—not to replace federal funding or Forest Service staff. This was a temporary, high-impact team that will lent a hand where it was needed most—to support the Bridger-Teton National Forest however we could.
Forest Corps’ first year was an amazing success. Because of that, and continued staffing cuts, we have continued it as a summer seasonal program. In 2026, the crew worked on all six districts of the BTNF, taking on major trail and infrastructure projects to ensure continued access and safety for all forest users.
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.
The FBT Forest Corps are passionate, experienced, and excited to keep the BTNF accessible, safe, and healthy for all—hikers, riders, outfitters, wildlife, and future generations.
But we can’t do it alone.
The total cost of the summer 2025 crew was approximately $125,000, under our initial estimate of $180,000. This covered crew compensation, vehicle use, insurance, and admin support.
A HUGE Thank you to AllTrails for helping support our 1st year with an amazing $5,000 from the 2025AllTrails Stewards Fund Grant!
Read our official report of the season
Now, we’re inviting you to join us. Please consider donating to Forest Corps so we can continue to enhance the BTNF and the experience of BTNF users looking ahead to the summer of 2026.
The BTNF needs its Friends more than ever.
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