JHStyle Magazine Summer 2017

JACKSON HOLE & THE TETON LIFESTYLE

®

Summer/Fall 2017

Explore

The Science

of Jackson Hole

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WHAT’S INSIDE ®

22 14 WELCOME
Publisher’s Note
56 About the Cover
34 32 Word’s from the Editor
Visitor’s Guidepost



22 THE SCIENCE OF JH
Solar Spectacle
Webless Wonders
Looking Up
Nature Mapper
High-Altitude Discoveries



32 SUMMER CALENDAR

44 34 INSPIRE
Vertical Vision
At Home in the Workshop
Non-profit Spotlights

HIGHSTYLE PROFILES
Joe Woodmencey
Lisa Samford
Bryan Bedrosian
April Landale







50

90

Jh

HOMELET US BE YOUR GUIDE

HUFF | VAUGHN | SASSI 5/2/17 9:30 AM

307.203.3000 • [email protected]

Jh Style summer/Fall 2017_FINAL.indd 1

®

94 WHAT’S INSIDE 50 BASECAMP JACKSON
Catch of the Day
60 Living Laboratory
Connecting with Nature
To the Rescue
Summer To Do’s


60 TETON VILLAGE
Meals on Wheels
High Altitude Dining
Climbing High
Skiing Into the Future

HEALTHY LIVING
68 On the Hunt
Fighting for the Future
Increasing Visibility
A Healing Dream
Skin Sensations



78 DINE IN STYLE
Food Fanatic
Artistic Flavors


28 86 NIGHTLIFE
Three Band Man
58 Rocking the Tetons
92 After the Sun Goes Down


92 TETON VALLEY
Coming Together for Conservation
Voice of Targhee
Works of Art


EXCLUSIVE—JHSTYLE CATALOGUE ®
Boutiques and Galleries of Jackson Hole

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WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER

THE LAB OF LIFE JACKSON HOLE & THE TETON LIFESTYLE

I HAVE TO ADMIT WHEN KRISTEN POPE, OUR EDITOR, ®
SUGGESTED “THE SCIENCE OF JH” FOR OUR NEXT JHSTYLE
THEME, I WAS MORE THAN A LITTLE HESITANT. BUNSEN Summer/Fall 2017
BURNERS, PIPET BULBS AND GOGGLES CON-JURED
THROUGH MY NON-SCIENTIFIC MIND. “HUH, HOW CAN Explore
THAT BE EXCITING—NOT ONLY FOR OUR READERS, BUT
FOR ME!?” The Science

Perfectly happy to let “smart ones” play in the lab, my initial non-enthusiast of Jackson Hole
reaction to what you now hold in your hands could not have been more off-
base. In fact, as I did my initial full read through, enjoying immensely the pho- ABOUT THE COVER
tography and writing craftsmanship of our team, the science took hold. The
lab of life—the exploratory nature and gratification of discovery—the personal Birds of prey have always been fascinating due to their
endeavors and passions, which ultimately combine to become an integral part speed, agility, and elegance. I’m proud to be associ-
of the community. ated with the Teton Raptor Center in raising awareness
and addressing conservation of these unique species.
Intrigued, I read on…local spider discovery, the art of stargazing, vertical My photography includes capturing people and wild-
harvesting, mars rover engineer turns ski designer, the science of the right life in the environments that define and sustain them.
fly, local ALS and Alzheimer’s research, Teqqa software helps doctors, the Photographing birds of prey is a prime example of this
quietness of art, a healing dream…need I entice you further? relationship that we are fortunate to witness here in
Jackson Hole.
So, whether you are the work-hard, play-hard outdoor enthusiast pounding the
well-designed single track, or the coffee shop socializer enjoying the artistic – David Bowers
flavors by a pastry chef, you are enjoying the product of science. davidbowersphotography.com

This summer, JHStyle Magazine invites you to explore the science of life in
Jackson and the Tetons.

Enjoy.
–Jeff Bush

LAZY MOOSE RANCH John & Linda Hanlon

3 DEVELOPMENT PARCELS IN WILSON, WY 307.413.1874
114.72 ACRES | MLS # 16-1181 | $8,750,000 [email protected]

14
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

Fine Cowboy Indian IndPiaanrkaAndntNiqauteiosnal
and National Park Antiques Park Antiques

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PO Box 1006
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e. info@cayusewa
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Top: Oil on Canvas by Oscar Schmidt (1889-1966) “Taos, New Mexico” circa 1925. Ex-Gary Shandling Collection
Left: Hamley (Pendleton, OR) Silver Mounted Cowgirl Saddle circa 1920 | Center: Vintage Navajo Ingot Silver and Turquoise Bracelets circa 1930

Right: Cheyenne High Top Moccasins circa 1885; Sioux Doll circa 1880

WORDS FROM THE EDITOR

THE SCIENCE OF JACKSON HOLE

Eclipse watching and beyond

WORDS Kristen Pope | IMAGE Claudia Turner

SCIENCE IS ALL AROUND US IN JACKSON HOLE. FROM THE SCIENCE OF PREDICTING WHEN THE FROSTY FLAKES WILL
SWIRL IN THE WINTER TO THIS SUMMER’S MUCH-ANTICIPATED ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENON, THE TOTAL SOLAR
ECLIPS, SCIENCE LEAVES US CAPTIVATED WITH AWE.

With this issue of JHStyle, “The Science of Then we dive into the scientists and science afi- fighting antibiotic resistance with his company,
Jackson Hole,” we delve into all realms of sci- cionados who make our community so special, Teqqa. And Vertical Harvest provides jobs and
ence-based endeavors and the people who from Frances Clark and her work with Nature produce via cutting-edge greenhouse technology.
spend their days learning more about this world. Mapping Jackson Hole to Maggie Raboin’s spi- This issue covers these stories and many others
We start with the summer’s main event: the der studies. Jim Woodmencey keeps people and showcases why science is such an import-
total solar eclipse on August 21. It’s not every safe and ready for the day ahead with his daily ant part of life in Jackson as local researchers
day your town ends up in the “path of totality” weather forecasts, and April Landale helps edu- and scientists work to find solutions to prob-
for an event so spectacular that eclipse chasers cate students at Teton Science Schools lems like climate change and antibiotic resis-
from around the world will be flocking there to Bryan Bedrosian works to study and protect local tance and give us a healthy dose of hope for
witness it firsthand. raptor species, and Dan Peterson spends his time the future. n

MEET OUR TEAM

KRISTAL RHODES KRISTEN POPE CONNIE TYLER DAVID BOWERS MADISON WEBB
Creative Director Managing Editor Sales Executive Photographer Social Media

Kristal founded Kristal Graphics Kristen is a freelance writer Originally from Philadelphia, A 29-year Jackson Hole Born in Idaho, Madison grew
in 2004. Her knowledge of and editor. Her writing credits Connie made her way to the resident, David combines up with a passion for the
marketing and her design include Backpacker, Discover, Tetons via Kauai in 2010 to be his skills as a professional outdoors and the beauty of
aptitude has landed her Audubon, Western Confluence, near family in Victor, Idaho. She photographer, mountain guide, the west. After pursuing a
numerous clients throughout Northwest Travel, Roots Rated, is an avid yogini who teaches and ski patroller in order to graduate degree in Art History,
the West. She has worked as and more. She made her Hatha yoga in Driggs, Jackson, maintain an active outdoor she found the rare opportunity
the creative director with J.C. way to Jackson after living in and Kauai, where she escapes lifestyle. In his spare time, he to combine mountain town
Bush Media and their many Alaska and California and has for a while each winter. When enjoys working with some local living and a career in the arts
publishing ventures since 1999. a background in conservation she is not teaching yoga or non-profits through education coordinating the Jackson
Kristal can usually be found in and environmental education. selling ads for JHStyle, she and photography, and exploring Hole Art Auction. When she’s
front of her computer but when In her free time, she enjoys rides horses and volunteers lesser-known mountain regions. not busy posting, gramming,
she does get a little free time, traveling, hiking, and with Music on Main, Grand DavidBowersPhotography.com snapping, or tweeting for
she loves travel, golf, camping, backpacking. KEPope.com Teton Music Festival, and JHStyle, Madison enjoys hiking,
and spending time with friends Jackson Hole Therapeutic Riding photography, and making pies.
and family. Association.
16
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

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ELEVATE YOUR ®

LIFESTYLE Publisher
Jeffrey C. Bush
A distinctive vacation rental, caretaking, and lifestyle concierge firm. Creative Director
LUXU RY P R O P E RT I E S J H .CO M | 3 07. 2 0 0. 2 1 2 1 Kristal Rhodes
Managing Editor
18 Kristen Pope
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017 Advertising Sales
Connie Tyler
Social Media
Madison Webb
Management Consultant
Mark Mullins
Copy Editors
Kelsey Dayton

Kate Hull
Contributing Writers
Molly Absolon, Kelsey Dayton, Michelle DeLong,
Jessica L. Flammang, Kate Hull, John R. Moses,
John Mikeska, Juli Anne Patty, Tibby Plasse,
Kristen Pope, Brielle Schaeffer, Jill Thompson,

Claudia Turner
Contributing Photographers
David Bowers, Jeff Buydos, Lance Koudele
Megan Peterson, Lindley Rust
J.C. Bush Creative Media, LLC
P.O. Box 684 • Wilson, WY 83014

(307) 699-5190
email: [email protected]

jhstylemagazine.com
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Certificates of Excellence
Western Publications Association Maggie Awards
Best Overall Visitor’s Guide
Best New Consumer Publication

Best Table of Contents
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SUMMER/FALL 2014

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JACKSON HOLE VISITOR'S GUIDEPOST

Facts and Statistics • T ime zone:............................MST UTC-7 (Summer MDT UTC-6)
• Teton County seat:......................................................... Jackson
20 • L argest town in Teton County:....................................... Jackson
• Jackson’s 2010 year-round population:.............................9,577
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017 • Teton County’s 2010 year-round population:..................21,294
• Winter population increase:............................................+5,000
• Summer population increase:.......................................+52,000
• Zip codes:.....................................83001, 83002, 83014, 83025
• Elevation in town of Jackson:...........................................6,237’
• Elevation in Jackson Hole Valley:........................... 6,069-6,779’
• Grand Teton’s height:.....................................................13,775’
• Length of Jackson Hole Valley:...................................... 48 miles
• Width of Jackson Hole Valley:.................................... 8-15 miles
• Year Snow King Ski Area, Wyoming’s first

ski area, opened:................................................................1939
• Year Jackson Hole Mountain Resort opened:.....................1965
• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort vertical drop:...................4,139’
• Year Yellowstone National Park established:......................1872
• Year Grand Teton National Park established:.....................1929
• Annual visitation in Grand Teton:.................. 4.6 million (2015)
• Most valuable industry:................................................. Tourism
• Percentage of publicly-owned land in Teton County:.................. 97
• Area of Bridger-Teton National Forest:............... 3.4 million acres
• Number of feature films shot in Jackson Hole:.....................15+
• Mammal species in Jackson Hole/Yellowstone:...................60+
• Bird species in Jackson Hole/Yellowstone:.........................100+
• Active thermal features in Yellowstone:........................10,000+
• Climate:...........................humid continental (almost subarctic)

Weather

Summer (July/August) Average High: 78˙F / Average Low: 40˙F
Spring/Fall: Average High: 68˙F / Average Low: 30˙F
Winter: Average 0-30˙F
Record High: 97˙F
Record Low: -46˙F

Useful Phone Numbers

Area code (307)
Emergency...............................................................................911
Road Conditions................................................1.888.WYO.ROAD
Central Reservations................................................888.733.1093
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.......................................733.2292
START Bus.......................................................................733.4521
Hospital..........................................................................733.3636
Airport............................................................................733.7682
Jackson Police.................................................................733.1430
Teton County Sheriff.......................................................733.4052
Grand Targhee Resort.....................................................353.2300
Snow King Resort............................................................733.5200
Grand Teton National Park.............................................739.3300
Yellowstone National Park..............................................344.7381
Bridger-Teton National Forest........................................739.5500
Jackson Chamber of Commerce.....................................733.3316
Grand Teton Association.................................................739.3606
IMAGE J Guidi©-shutterstock.com

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THE SCIENCE OF JACKSON HOLE Image: Ig0rZh©-adobestock.com

SOLAR

SPECTACLE

Eclipse watchers flock to Jackson

WORDS Kristen Pope

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
We’re incredibly lucky we just happen to be

here in the perfect spot."

– Ryan Hennessy

22
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

SCIENCE LOVERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WILL GATHER IN JACKSON ON AUGUST
21 TO WITNESS WHAT TETON SKIES ASTRONOMER RYAN HENNESSY CALLS “THE
BIGGEST ASTRONOMICAL EVENT OF OUR GENERATION."

For just over two minutes on August 21, the moon will fully cross in
front of the sun, producing the first total solar eclipse visible in the
contiguous U.S. since 1979.
Jackson is directly in the “path of totality,” a 60- to 70-mile-wide
path that will experience total darkness during the event. Astrono-
mers and eclipse chasers from around the world will travel to Jack-
son to experience it.
"There are people who chase eclipses all around the globe,"
Hennessy says. "This is definitely an event worth planning for and
worth traveling for. This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. We’re incredi-
bly lucky we just happen to be here in the perfect spot."
And what exactly do you experience during a total eclipse?
“You’re seeing probably the most spectacular sight in nature," Hen-
nessy says. "You’re seeing the sky go from day to night, the bright-
est stars, and on that day, the planets Venus and Mars starting to
pop out. You need to take it in for those precious two and a half
minutes, this incredible sight of the sun's corona. The temperature
comes down a bit. You’ll hear animals, particularly birds, becoming
confused about why night is coming, shadows become sharper, the
light becomes eerie."
Hennessy and his company, Teton Skies, will host a ticketed event
for the Four Seasons during the eclipse, but wherever visitors
watch it, Hennessy cautions that approved solar glasses are man-
datory for eclipse viewing—sunglasses or improvised creations will
not protect your eyes.
"You should never look at the sun directly," he says. "You need to
use properly made solar glasses or solar telescopes."
The valley will be packed with events for the eclipse, from a number
of exclusive ticketed celebrations to free public events, such as Wyo-
ming Stargazing’s public viewing at Rendezvous Park. Concerts and
other festivities will also occur that weekend to entertain everyone
gathered for the eclipse.
"We’re so incredibly lucky to live in this place for so many reasons and
this is one more of them," Hennessy says. "We’re along the path of
what will be the greatest astronomical spectacle of our generation."
For more information on the eclipse and related events, go to:
TetonEclipse.com. n

23
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

THE SCIENCE OF JACKSON HOLE

WEBLESS

WONDERS

Raboin discovers unique local spider species

WORDS Jill Thompson | IMAGES David Bowers

MOST SPIDERS AROUND THE WORLD BUILD WEBS, BUT
THAT’S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE IN JACKSON HOLE. FIVE
YEARS AGO, MAGGIE RABOIN WAS CONDUCTING HER
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN THE AREA WHEN SHE
DISCOVERED SOMETHING VERY UNEXPECTED: A SPIDER THAT
USES LEAVES, FLOWER PETALS, INSECT WINGS, AND OTHER
MATERIALS TO BUILD A MOUND OVER ITS EGG SACS.

This discovery left Raboin with plenty of questions: What kind of spiders
were these? What was the purpose of the mounds? And how do they survive
the harsh Wyoming winters?

She is now a doctoral candidate at the University of California, Berkeley,
working to answer these questions.

“I started asking around why the spider was building a mound and nobody
could answer my questions,” Raboin says. “So it sounded like a good disserta-
tion topic and something that I wanted to answer myself.”

Raboin was raised in northern Minnesota, and her love of nature was nurtured
by her grandfather, who worked as a National Park Service ranger for 40 years.
At the University of Montana, she studied wildlife biology and focused on animal
behavior, from songbird communication to insect sociology.

It was five years ago when she initially discovered the mound-building spider in
the Snake River Canyon, but the process of scientifically describing the new spe-
cies, from physical traits to behavior, continues. Raboin is working with experts
at the California Academy of Sciences as well as a South African scientist who
studies a related group of spiders.

24
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

“The natural history of this spider When you discover a new species, you get to name it, so she
is important because there are no other named her find the mason spider.
“I started calling it the mason spider because there is a whole
spiders in the world that perform group of bees called mason bees, which build similar struc-
this sort of behavior.” tures, like brick layers,” Raboin says.
Every species has a Latin name in addition to a common name,
– Maggie Raboin so Raboin decided the mason spider’s Latin name should be
Castianeira teewinoticus in honor of Mount Teewinot.
As she completes her doctoral studies in California, Raboin
continues to scientifically describe the spider and study how
climate change could affect the species’ overwintering. For this
research, she was awarded the Boyd Evison Graduate Fellow-
ship Grant by the Grand Teton Association. To date, Raboin has
marked 720 mason spider egg sacs and collected 200 that she
brought back to Berkeley to raise.
“To me, the natural history of this spider is important because
there are no other spiders in the world that perform this sort
of behavior,” Raboin says. “The climate change research is
important because these spiders spend over half their lives
under the snow. We have no idea of what sort of effect climate
change and the change in snowpack is going to have on their
biology and survival.”
Although she is studying in California, Raboin often returns
to Jackson Hole to check on her field sites and conduct
research. She makes time for mountain biking, hiking, and
rafting when she’s in town, while always always keeping an
eye out for new spiders and new discoveries. n

THE SCIENCE OF JACKSON HOLE

LOOKING UP

Singer turns stargazing into his livelihood

WORDS Kelsey Dayton | IMAGE David Bowers

THE FIRST TIME SAMUEL SINGER REMEMBERS SEEING THE STARS, HE WAS 10 YEARS OLD. HE
LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN IN A RURAL PART OF NEVADA. HIS FATHER, STEVE SINGER, TOOK HIM
OUTSIDE WITH A SMALL TELESCOPE AND THEY WATCHED METEOR SHOWERS, STARED AT THE
MILKY WAY, AND EVEN WITNESSED THE HALE-BOPP COMET.

“I really loved just being out there and being quiet with my Despite Singer’s love of astronomy, he originally saw it as a
dad and looking at the night sky,” Singer says. hobby and not a career path. At Hampshire College in Amherst,
Massachusetts, he studied jazz music and creative writing.
It was in high school in Tacoma, Washington, in a semes-
ter-long astronomy class, that his appreciation of stars But when Singer brought out the 9-foot telescope he’d
and planets deepened. The class forever changed how he helped build in high school for a stargazing event on the col-
thought about, and looked at, the night sky. lege campus, an astronomy professor convinced him to take
a class. Singer ended up with a
“It was when the instructor “When I look up at the sky, degree in astronomy and physics.
taught us about how all the But Singer didn’t want to go into
heavy elements are produced research; he wanted to teach.
I don’t just see the beauty.in the cores of stars and that lit- So for graduate school he picked

erally planets are made up of
recycled star stuff,” he says. “I Teton Science Schools for its out-
was just mesmerized by that and I see all these door education program.

since then I really look up at the incredible scientific During that program he learned
sky differently. When I look up processes taking place and stargazing in the Tetons was incred-
at the sky, I don’t just see the ible. The higher elevation means
beauty. I see all these incredible new planetary systems less atmosphere to see through.
scientific processes taking place being formed all the time.” Everything is crisper and clearer.
and new planetary systems being The lower humidity means the air
formed all the time.” is more stable, making ideal condi-

Singer shares that passion and – Samuel Singer tions for stargazing. In the summer,
knowledge about stars, planets, the weather is predictable and it’s
and solar systems as executive rarely cloudy at night.
director of Wyoming Stargazing.
The organization has provided weekly stargazing for the After finishing his doctorate in education at the University
public, presentations in local schools, and programming for of Wyoming in 2013, Singer returned to Jackson to start
private events since 2014. It will also host several events, Wyoming Stargazing. Though he knows a lot more about
including a free public viewing at Rendezvous Park, in con- the stars these days, he still has the same level of awe he
junction with the solar eclipse this summer. Wyoming Star- had in childhood.

gazing is also working to build an observatory at the top of “It’s about learning some facts, but also being just as
Snow King Mountain, a project about five years away from inspired by the night sky as I was as a kid,” he says. n
becoming a reality.
26

JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017



“So many of us
enjoy seeing

and observing wildlife.
This is a way

we can give back
to the critters.”

– Frances Clark

THE SCIENCE OF JACKSON HOLE

NATURE

MAPPER

Clark coordinates volunteer wildlife observers

WORDS Jill Thompson | IMAGE David Bowers

FRANCES CLARK STOPPED BRIEFLY ON THE NATIONAL ELK REFUGE ONE SUMMER DAY
TO COUNT A PRONGHORN HERD AS PART OF HER ROLE AS A VOLUNTEER FOR NATURE
MAPPING JACKSON HOLE. AS SHE OBSERVED THE ANIMALS, A COYOTE APPROACHED AND
PUT THE PRONGHORN ON ALERT. A FEMALE PRONGHORN APPROACHED THE COYOTE AND
THEN RAN, STOPPING TO LOOK BEHIND IT BEFORE RUNNING A BIT MORE. THE REST OF THE
HERD MIMICKED ITS MOVEMENTS, LEADING THE COYOTE AWAY FROM A FRAGILE FAWN
STASHED IN THE TALL GRASSES. WHILE AN ADULT PRONGHORN COULD EASILY OUTRUN A
COYOTE, A FAWN COULD BE A QUICK MEAL.

Clark regularly witnesses events like this through her work information is then carefully vetted by a science advisory
with Nature Mapping Jackson Hole. She also sees elusive committee and entered into Wyoming’s wildlife database.
animals like the great gray owl, sharp-tailed grouse, and
nesting hawks. It is her love for wildlife that led her to help “The nice part about it is you can do it wherever, and how
coordinate the program’s volunteers. much or how little you can,” Clark says. “It all adds up over
Clark spent most of her career in botany conservation and time. We have several years of solid data.”
education in the Boston area. In 2011, Clark and her hus-
band chose to take a year off to live in Jackson Hole and, like The program has trained 377 local citizen scientists to date.
many others, chose to stay. This data is used by organizations like the Wyoming Depart-
In Jackson, she saw an advertisement about Nature Map- ment of Transportation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and
ping in the local newspaper and it struck a chord with her. Teton Conservation District for various projects that could
The citizen scientist program is designed to encourage locals impact local wildlife.
to record wildlife sightings and submit data about the ani-
mals they see. After local conservationist Meg Raynes A program of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, Nature
passed away in 2008, her husband, Bert Raynes, and fellow Mapping Jackson Hole has now expanded beyond casual
conservationists developed the program to honor her love wildlife sightings. The organization holds events like Moose
of wildlife, conservation, and volunteerism. Day, where volunteers gather to count moose, and pro-
Volunteer Nature Mappers take a two-hour course to learn grams like the Mountain Bluebird Nest Box Project, where
how to identify animals and submit data. Then, whenever volunteers monitor a bluebird nest once a week.
the Nature Mapper spots an animal, whether hiking, bik-
ing, driving or even looking out a window at home, they Besides the important scientific data collected, Nature Mapping
take note of what they witness on a smartphone app. This Jackson Hole brings together a community that loves wildlife.

“So many of us enjoy seeing and observing wildlife,” Clark
says. “This is a way we can give back to the critters.” n

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JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

THE SCIENCE OF JACKSON HOLE

HDIIGSHC-OALVTEITRUIEDSE

Stirn and Sgouros
explore local archaeological sites

WORDS Kelsey Dayton | IMAGES Courtesy Matt Stirn and Rebecca Sgouros

MATT STIRN DISCOVERED HIS LOVE OF ARCHAEOLOGY WHEN, AS A STUDENT AT JACKSON
HOLE MIDDLE SCHOOL, HE VISITED THE GAME CREEK ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE. THERE
WAS SOMETHING FASCINATING ABOUT UNEARTHING CLUES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LIVED
THOUSANDS OF YEARS EARLIER.

Rebecca Sgouros grew up in New Jersey and spent her sum- that highlight archaeological projects and history from the
mers with family in Greece where sites like Olympia and area, ranging from prehistoric days to homesteaders who
Delphi inspired her to study archaeology. settled in the valley.

She met Stirn on a study abroad program in Greece. They It also offers a classroom for archaeology courses for school
both attended the University of Sheffield before getting groups and summer camps, as well as a variety of other pro-
married and moving to Jackson, the place that first inspired grams for groups of all ages. As part of the initiative, Stirn
Stirn to pursue archaeology. and Sgouros work to educate people about leaving artifacts
Sgouros and Stirn focus on high-altitude archaeology, using alone as well as the importance of cultural preservation and
scientific approaches to answer archaeological questions. how archaeologists uncover information about the past.
They learned the mountains around Jackson had not had In addition to classroom work, Stirn and Sgouros con-
much archaeological exploration, so they sought to learn tinue to devote time to their own research in the field.
more about the area. Stirn is specifically interested in people who lived at high
“We wanted to learn more about what was up in the moun- elevations thousands of years ago. He investigates why
tains, but it was important to do it in a way that involved the people chose particular sites and how they adapted to
local community,” Stirn says. the harsh environments. Sgouros looks at the animals
The environmental archaeologists started the Jackson Hole ancient people hunted and farmed, and specializes in
Archaeological Initiative through the Jackson Hole Histor- ancient diet and cuisine.
ical Society and Museum in 2014. The initiative takes local The couple also works on ice patch archaeology which is
school kids to an actual archaeological site in the area when ancient ice starts to melt revealing items frozen in
where they can learn about the discipline in the field. It’s a time. This relatively new type of archaeology in the Greater
way to offer students an experience similar to the childhood Yellowstone Ecosystem is helping provide a greater under-
trip that piqued Stirn’s early interest in the subject. standing of the people who lived in the area thousands of
The initiative also runs the Mercill Archaeology Center at years ago. In addition to their work in Jackson they both
the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum. The center work on sites in Italy and Greece.
features hands-on exhibits, including a mock excavation site, Wherever they work, the couple’s research keeps them on
the move—and often high atop a mountain. n

30
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017



CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SUMMER HAPPENINGS

Calendar of Events

MAY Jackson Hole Mountain Resort Ariel Tram Opens
Snow King Mountain Opening Day
20 Old West Days Parade, Brew Fest and Jackson Hole Rodeo
26
27

JUNE Grand Teton Half Marathon
Yellowstone Half Marathon and 5K
3 Grand Targhee Mountain Resort Opening Day
10 JacksonHoleLive concert series
16 Music on Main concert series, Victor, Idaho
18
22

JULY Concerts on the Commons, Teton Village
Grand Teton Music Festival
3-4 4th of July in Jackson Hole
3 Plein Air for the Park
4 Annual ArtFair Jackson Hole
5-16 Teton Village Art and Antique Show
7-9 Targhee Music Fest
7-9 49th Annual Snow King Hill Climb Running Race
14-16
22

AUGUST

5 P ierre’s Hole 50/100 - Mountain bike race at
Grand Targhee Resort

5 Rendezvous Mountain Hillclimb
11-12 Epic Cache-Teton Relay
11-13 30th Annual Targhee Bluegrass Festival
11-13 ArtFair Jackson Hole
21 Total Solar Eclipse

SEPTEMBER
2 Jackson Hole Marathon and Hole Half Marathon
6-15 Annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival
8 Palates & Palettes Gallery Walk
9 35th Annual LOTOJA
9 Annual Old Bill’s Fun Run for Charities
10 Taste of the Tetons
15-16 Jackson Hole Art Auction
17 Oktoberfest at Grand Targhee Mountain Resort

OCTOBER

Enjoy the beauty of fall hiking, biking, river floating and the
“not-so-busy” off season of Jackson Hole.
8 Jackson Hole Ariel Tram Closes
31 Moose Wilson Road closes for season

For more detailed events and activity information please contact the
Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce at jacksonholechamber.com.

Small images: Courtesy Jackson Hole Live, Courtesy Trio Fine Art Gallery,
Courtesy Community Foundation of Jackson Hole. Large image: oldmn©-adobestock.com

32
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

davidbowersphotography.com

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SEP 11 / 7:30 PM

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OCT 05 / 7:00 PM

MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

OCT 15 / 6:00 PM

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33
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

INSPIREVERTICAL VISION

34
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

Greenhouse aims to grow
100,000 pounds of food and create jobs

WORDS Michelle DeLong | IMAGES Courtesy Vertical Harvest

ON A CONCRETE CORNER IN JACKSON, A THREE-STORY GREENHOUSE IS ON
ITS WAY TO PRODUCING 100,000 POUNDS OF PRODUCE PER YEAR, INCLUD-
ING LETTUCE, HEIRLOOM TOMATOES, BASIL, AND MICROGREENS. YOU
HEARD THAT RIGHT: SOME OF THE MOST NUTRITIONALLY DENSE PRODUCE
IN JACKSON GROWS NEXT TO THE PARKING GARAGE DOWNTOWN.

This produce, which would typically require five
acres of land to grow on a traditional farm, is
produced on only one-tenth of an acre. Vertical
Harvest uses the hydroponic farming method,
which forgoes the traditional use of soil and
instead delivers dissolved nutrients to each
plant via water.

The innovative farm was conceived in the throes
of the 2008 economic recession. Co-founder and
CEO Nona Yehia says, “There wasn’t much work
for anyone, which is when, interestingly enough,
I think innovation flourishes—when there are
huge constraints.”

Vertical Harvest became the first hydroponic
farm in the world to stack several greenhouses

on top of each other, making use of
a tiny urban space.

“I receive at least one call a day “I receive at least one call a day ask-
ing us how we did it,” Yehia laughs
asking us how we did it.” as she pulls on a hairnet and leads
the way to Vertical Harvest’s public
atrium. This visually stunning, airy
space looks out over one of the
– Nona Yehia greenhouse’s seven “living walls,”

which are moving carousels of
growing greens basking in the glow
of red and blue LED lights. Nona
pauses and begs the question that
fueled her vision: “How do you create indepen-
dence for a community?”

Yehia is an architect by trade who seeks to solve
social issues through the use of avant-garde
design. After finishing work on the Teton Boulder
Project, an outdoor public rock climbing space,
she met Penny McBride, a sustainability consul-
tant interested in creating an urban greenhouse,
who became Vertical Harvest’s co-founder.

The team realized that to meet their goal of
employing as many people and growing as
much food as possible, they needed to skip the
traditional hoop house greenhouse design and
go vertical. >>

35
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

INSPIRE

Vertical Harvest has become a poster child for the
hydroponic farming movement and has already
inspired countless projects across the coun-
try and the world. One can’t help but wonder:
How did this happen in a little Wyoming ski town?

Yehia believes Jackson is the only place she
could have realized her vertical vision, which she
sees as her way to give back to the community
which has fostered and supported her creativity
through the years.

“Jackson is the perfect ecosystem for this to
happen in because it’s filled with risk-takers,
people who are always pushing the envelope.
Just the fact that we live here is pushing the
envelope of what society is supposed to do,”
Yehia says, smiling broadly as she climbs back
down the stairs to join her coworkers for a
well-earned celebratory drink. n

Enter in Caroline Croft, an employment facilita- The "living walls," a collaborative design with
tor for people with developmental and physical Dutch engineers, bring the plants to the employ-
disabilities, who asked Yehia and McBride if they ees so people can work comfortably and effi-
could employ her clients once the greenhouse ciently. One such “living wall,” the only one of its
got off the ground. kind in the world, rotates across, up, and down
like a sideways “T” to take advantage of the
“That resonated for me,” Yehia says. “I have a building’s sunny southern façade.
brother with different abilities, and I was aware “Jackson is actually a good place to have a green-
growing up that we take really good care of house—we get a lot of sunlight and it’s dry,” Yehia
this population through schooling, but when it says as she climbs the stairs to reach the top floor,
comes to employment there aren’t that many home to the sun-loving vining crops. Each plant is
options. Everybody deserves the chance for grown in a reusable, compostable patch of rock
meaningful work.” wool and receives the exact amount of nutrients it
needs on any given day. Water used on the tomato
Vertical Harvest currently employs 16 people plants is recycled and recirculated through the rest
with physical and developmental disabilities, of the greenhouse, making it 98 percent more
who have inspired some of the hydroponic water efficient than a traditional farm.
farm’s most intriguing innovations.
36
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

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INSPIRE

AT HOME IN THE WORKSHOP
Former robotics engineer Parris creates custom skis

WORDS Juli Anne Patty | IMAGES David Bowers

TODAY, IGNEOUS SKIS TURNS CUSTOM SKIS
AND SNOWBOARDS OUT IN ITS GREGORY
LANE FACILITY. BUT IN THE LATE '90S, WHEN
MICHAEL PARRIS TOOK A SKI BREAK FROM HIS
WORK AT THE CARNEGIE MELLON ROBOTICS
INSTITUTE, IGNEOUS SKIS WAS A NEW IDEA
TAKING SHAPE IN A GARAGE. AND THE
COMPANY WAS JUST STARTING TO PUSH THE
SKI INNOVATION ENVELOPE.

Parris didn’t start out as a ski designer at all. In fact, he was an archi- Jewelry Originals
tecture major who developed a reputation at Carnegie Mellon as 41 years of inspiration at 6000 ft.
“the guy who makes things.” When a robotics-powered art project
caught the attention of the head of the Robotics Institute, Parris Gaslight Alley • Downtown Jackson Hole • 125 N Cache
received an unexpected visit and job offer. www.danshelley.com • [email protected] • 307.733.2259
“In the Robotics Institute, they have a whole lot of people with doc-
torates and big ideas, but they didn’t know how to make them a 39
reality,” Parris says. “They saw a couple of guys in an art studio who JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017
had an idea, executed it, and made it functional. That led to some
work on the project they were doing—a lunar rover initiative.”
The work took Parris, along with the team, to the Chilean desert and
later Antarctica to test their prototypes. But Parris still had some

other things he wanted to do. One of
them was to ski, and the desire to hit
the slopes was always in the back of
his mind.
When Parris moved to Jackson in
1999, he found a new use for his skill-
set: making skis.
His friend, Adam Sherman, founded
Igneous in 1996. While Parris encour-
aged him and checked in about the
company while traveling back and
forth from Pittsburgh, Parris became
directly involved in 1999.
They developed a production process
that allowed them to design and pro-
duce custom pairs of skis that would
fit each individual rider’s needs. For
the robotics engineer in him, it was a
thrilling opportunity.
“We could have an idea, build it, and
ride it—it was a quick, closed loop,”
Parris says. Unlike his robotics pro-
totypes, his ski solutions could be
taken from concept to testing within
days, making it possible to make big
advances in ski technology in minimal
time. Durability was their first focus,
making skis that could endure bell-to-
bell skiing in the Tetons.
Today, Igneous makes around 100 pairs of custom skis every season,
sold almost entirely through word-of-mouth.
“Our skis bring me work from Japan, Austria, all over,” Parris says.
“Someone calls me and says, ‘I met someone on a heli-ski trip who was
riding a 10-year-old pair of Igneous skis, and I have to have some.’”
And Parris, true to his nickname as "the guy who makes things," will
gladly build them. n

HIGHSTYLE PROFILE

WOODMENCEY KNOWS WEATHER
Local forecaster looks to the skies
WORDS Michelle DeLong | IMAGE David Bowers

JIM WOODMENCEY IS UNASSUMING AND KIND, ORDERS AN ARNOLD PALMER INSTEAD OF A DRY
MARTINI, AND WEARS A STIO PUFFY INSTEAD OF A TAILORED SUIT, BUT HE IS JACKSON’S OWN JAMES
BOND OF WEATHER FORECASTING.

When he’s not updating his MountainWeather.com website at winters and worked as a climbing ranger at Jenny Lake for 14 sum-
4 a.m. each morning, predicting avalanche conditions for heli-ski mers, using his degree only informally at first.
operations, or issuing thunderstorm warnings for climbing expedi- In 1991, Woodmencey bought a computer and began forecast-
tions, he trains Air Force special ops soldiers about weather fore- ing for High Mountain Heli-Skiing. With the help of a few of his
casting for remote, mountainous areas like Afghanistan. He also clients, he got a radio slot in 1994 and produced the Mountain
teaches them about movement in avalanche terrain. In Wood- Weather website in 1997. These days, he works full-time as a
mencey’s world, weather is not only variable and exciting—some- meteorologist, and writes columns for two local newspapers in
times it’s highly classified. addition to maintaining his website.
Woodmencey sure has come a long way for a humble rock Woodmencey’s expertise isn’t just for high-end athletes. His fore-
climber from the Bay Area who got into meteorology so he casts are used by everyone from professional climbing guides, to
could have an advantage on backcountry missions. After people wanting to know when the rain will stop so they can go out
spending the year after high school graduation dirt-bagging in and get groceries. Even truck drivers concerned about the outlook
Yosemite (think: nonstop climbing and eating ramen noodles), for Interstate 80 check his forecast.
he attended Montana State University to pursue a degree in “Forecasting thunderstorms in the summer is complicated
meteorology. because there are so many variables,” Woodmencey says. “I am
Growing up, Woodmencey remembers hearing his father say he always thinking about how the climber, the backpacker, and the
couldn’t wait to retire so that he could finally focus on the things fisherman will interpret the information I am giving.”
he wanted to do. This summer brings the highly anticipated total solar eclipse on
“I always had that in the back of my mind,” he says. “I didn’t want August 21, and with it, eclipse weather forecasting with Wood-
that for myself. I decided to do all the things I wanted first.” mencey at the helm. He will be updating his website with eclipse
So he opted out of a city-based job for the National Weather viewing information, so be sure to check in for the best shot at
Service after graduation. Instead, he guided heli-ski trips for 20 seeing the once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. n

“I am always
thinking about how

the climber,
the backpacker,
and the fisherman will
interpret the information

I am giving.”

– Jim Woodmencey

40
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017





HIGHSTYLE PROFILE

THE WAY OF WILDLIFE
Samford leads wildlife film festival
WORDS Jill Thompson | IMAGE David Bowers

LISA SAMFORD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE JACKSON HOLE WILDLIFE FILM FESTIVAL, BEGAN
HER CAREER AS A JOURNALIST, BUT AFTER SHE SPENT A DECADE WORKING IN THE NEWSPAPER
INDUSTRY, HER INTEREST TURNED TO FILM.

“My boyfriend was a cameraman and he was having so many The Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival originally began as a pri-
great adventures,” Samford says. “I was just drawn to it.” vate industry conference for filmmakers, producers, and media
So Samford packed up her life and moved to Los Angeles to try her distributors to come together for a week of seminars, panels,
hand in the film industry. She produced documentaries featuring a and film screenings. Since its early years, it has evolved into an
wide array of subjects ranging from World War II spies, to murder- organization making a global impact on wildlife, conservation,
ers in the toughest maximum security prisons in the U.S. Then one and education.
project changed her life forever. Three years ago, the organization added a conservation summit at
“I spent a week with the Dalai Lama on a three-person film crew,” Sam- the beginning of the festival to introduce researchers and conser-
ford says. “You can’t be in his presence without being deeply, irrevoca- vationists to the filmmakers. The organization recently expanded
bly different afterward. All of those crime and violence movies were to include the Jackson Hole WILD Festival, which provides an
completely overshadowed by one week in the presence of holy bliss.” opportunity for the public to attend screenings of the films and
In 1993, Samford attended her first Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festi- other events. They also launched the Science Media Awards and
val, which local filmmaker Wolfgang Bayer started two years earlier. Summit in Boston, as well as Jackson Hole Wild On Tour, bringing
Bayer had regularly attended a wildlife film conference in Bristol, the award-winning films on the road.
England, and he wanted to bring wildlife filmmakers to Jackson so The festival is also working with the United Nations to use films
he could share the beauty and inspirational landscape with them. to help inspire conservation around the world, including the
Samford soon began helping with conference programming. International Elephant Film Festival and a similar effort focused
Then, after an upcoming documentary project was canceled, she on wild cats. All of these events help the Jackson Hole Wildlife
attended the 2001 conference. Film Festival raise awareness of important wildlife issues and
“Timing is everything,” Samford says. “The festival needed a new encourage people to act.
executive director, and I was looking for a great reason to stay in “Our goal for the organization is to use media as a tool to con-
Jackson Hole.” nect people with the natural world,” Samford says. n

“Our goal for the
organization is to use

media as a tool to
connect people with the

natural world.”

– Lisa Samford

43
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

HIGHSTYLE PROFILE

AVIAN INNOVATOR

Bedrosian leads raptor research efforts

WORDS Jessica L. Flammang | IMAGE David Bowers

ALL-NIGHT FIELD EXCURSIONS ARE JUST PART OF THE JOB FOR TETON RAPTOR CENTER SENIOR
AVIAN ECOLOGIST BRYAN BEDROSIAN. TO CONDUCT RESEARCH, HE SPENDS COUNTLESS HOURS IN
THE BACKCOUNTRY AND SKIS LONG DISTANCES TRACKING BIRDS. HE OFTEN FACES DIFFICULT TRAVEL
CONDITIONS AND AVALANCHE RISKS.

“One night I spent the entire night out trying to capture a great Concerned about the steel projectiles deployed by traditional net
gray owl,” he says. “But I believe the more challenging the work, launchers that were used to catch predatory birds like ravens and
the more rewarding it is.” eagles for research projects, Bedrosian developed a more efficient
Bedrosian is a nationwide leader in raptor research, includ- and safer tool for trapping and tracking the birds.
ing tracking, transmitter attachment, and trapping. In 2015, he This invention inspired Bedrosian’s side company, “Trapping
began working at Teton Raptor Center to advance the nonprofit’s Innovations, LLC,” in 2009. The company sells net launchers to
research program. He appreciates the organization’s fervor for biologists who work with agencies, universities, consulting firms,
education, rehabilitation, and research. and nonprofits.
“All of our studies are field-based at Teton Raptor Center,” Bedro- He later designed a transmitter package for wildlife comput-
sian says. “We observe data real-time.” His study area runs from ers with Doug Bonham through a National Science Foundation
Teton Village to Snake River Canyon and includes some parts of grant. The system is now used in research with sage grouse,
Grand Teton National Park. great gray owls, and eagles, and is popular because it can lower
“At Teton Raptor Center, we aim to preserve wild raptors and keep data acquisition costs.
them healthy in the valley’s intact ecosystem,” he says. “I got raptor This year, he is releasing a new innovation called SoundScout,
fever in college and decided to make learning about them my career.” a recorder strapped to a tree that captures bird voices 24
Bedrosian appreciates the ample innovation time the center hours a day. The sound frequency is analyzed on a spectro-
affords him. “Bryan is both a leader and an innovator,” says Amy gram. “You can identify individual birds by their vocal pat-
Brennan McCarthy, executive director of the organization. “His terns,” Bedrosian says.
mind is constantly 'on' with a focus on bringing better tools, tech- Known for his research, innovation, and passion for wildlife,
niques, and technologies to allow us to more thoroughly under- Teton Raptor Center is excited to have Bedrosian leading local
stand the life cycles, movements, and roles that raptors play in a research efforts.
healthy ecosystem.” “Bryan is a star in the world of raptor research,” McCarthy says.
A Chicago native, Bedrosian started working at Teton Science “His talent, creativity, and passion are advancing raptor conserva-
Schools in 2001 and began his innovation efforts immediately. tion in Jackson Hole and beyond.” n

“I got raptor fever in
college and decided to
make learning about

them my career.”

– Bryan Bedrosian

44
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017





HIGHSTYLE PROFILE

PLACE-BASED TEACHER

Landale guides educators at Teton Science Schools

WORDS Kelsey Dayton | IMAGE David Bowers

APRIL LANDALE ARRIVED IN JACKSON TO WORK AT TETON SCIENCE SCHOOLS IN 1993. A YEAR LATER,
SHE WAS USHERING THE FIRST 13 STUDENTS INTO THE NEW GRADUATE PROGRAM SHE HELPED
CREATE. BACK THEN STUDENTS CAME TO THE PROGRAM WITH INTERNSHIP, OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP,
AND EVEN TEACHING EXPERIENCE, AND THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR AN ACADEMIC FOUNDATION
FOR THEIR CAREERS.

Decades later, Landale is still with the school and she has helped the school and its culture. The mobility and diversity of work
guide the program’s evolution to meet changing demographics. Now, has kept her there, along with personal outlets that keep her
most graduate students come into the program with a plethora of recharged for the job.
academic knowledge, seeking the experiential piece of their training. Landale turns to the outdoors for rejuvenation as well as fiber
Landale's role has evolved a lot over the years. She's now vice arts, such as spinning and dying fiber with natural dyes, which
president of educator development. allows her to balance her extrovert-focused job with moments
“The scale has changed, but the essential culture of innovation, of quiet.
commitment, and excellence is still really core to what I do,” she Working with adults also means receiving feedback and new per-
says. And what she does is train educators in immersion-focused spectives each year that help guide how the program is run.
place-based education. “Each year we are trying something different,” Landale says.
Landale grew up in Freedom, New Hampshire. She spent her sum- The most powerful part of the program—its mentorship com-
mers out West hiking, and earned an undergraduate degree in ponent—continues to evolve, but remains at the graduate pro-
biology from the University of New Hampshire followed by a mas- gram’s heart.
ter’s degree in natural resource management from Antioch Uni- “That’s what I would say makes the program so powerful,”
versity in Keene, New Hampshire. Landale says. “The faculty-staff mentorship of graduate students is
After spending time working for an ecology study abroad program extraordinary.”
in Australia, she returned to the United States to work at Teton Landale’s favorite way to enjoy the outdoors is simply to immerse
Science Schools for what she thought would be a transition year. herself in nature to observe, reflect, and find rejuvenation. And that
That transition year turned into more than 20 years. Ever since type of place-based immersion experience also benefits students in
she helped start the graduate program, more than 400 educators the program.
have completed the program. “We offer an innovative teaching program that uses place,”
Through her career she’s worked in various departments and Landale says. “And place for us is the outdoors.” n
programs which has given her a holistic understanding of

“We offer an
innovative teaching
program that uses place.

And place for us
is the outdoors.”

– April Landale

47
JHStyleMagazine.com | SUMMER/FALL 2017

INSPIRE

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

Local organizations working to make a difference

IMAGES Courtesy Habitat for Humanity, Teton County Library Foundation, TETON COUNTY
Friends of the Teton River, Womentum and Alex Lemieux LIBRARY FOUNDATION

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY The Teton County Library Foundation
raises and manages funds to support
“A hand up, not a hand out” is the motto of the library in connecting local resi-
Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Teton Area. dents to resources for learning and
Over the past two decades, the nonprofit has built engaging with the world and com-
over 30 Teton County homes. munity. The foundation purchases
To participate, potential homeowners have to books, computers, downloadable
earn less than 80 percent of the county’s median materials, and audio resources for
income, pass a rigorous background check, need library patrons to use in addition to
housing, be able to pay a mortgage, and be willing funding library programming such
to participate in the process. They must also con- as the Page to the Podium series
tribute at least 500 hours of “sweat equity” toward of author events, Writers in the
the construction of their home and attend a dozen Schools, summer reading programs,
homeowner education classes. Homeowners also and the Mountain Story Festival.
pay $2,500 toward closing costs and purchase their Additionally, the foundation funds
homes with a zero interest loan. The organization’s hardware for technology tutor-
latest project, The Grove, Phase III, is scheduled to ing and a variety of services and
break ground in June. TetonHabitat.org resources in both Jackson and Alta,
Wyoming. Overall, the founda-
WOMENTUM tion funds about 10 percent of the
library's budget. TCLib.org
This female-focused nonprofit aims to “empower
and connect women as leaders within their com-
munity.” The organization began 11 years ago with
a mission to help women develop skills and con-
fidence and provide opportunities for networking.

The signature Womentum program is “Womentor- entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, office holders,
ing,” which pairs women up in one-on-one mentor- and artists, and their endeavors benefit the whole
ing relationships. The program runs for nine months community. WomentumWyo.org
and helps women develop their leadership skills in
order to serve in all types of leadership roles, includ-
ing those in their professional, civic, and personal
lives. Womentum also hosts a variety of workshops,
dinners, and events. Program graduates are local

FRIENDS OF THE TETON RIVER

Teton Valley, Idaho-based nonprofit Friends of the
Teton River works to promote "clean water, healthy
streams, and thriving fisheries in the Teton Water-
shed." The organization focuses on community edu-
cation, science, restoration, and collaborative efforts
related to protecting and improving water quality,
stream flows, and maintaining healthy fish and wild-
life habitat, with an emphasis on the Yellowstone
Cutthroat Trout. The group also encourages people
to connect with and enjoy the river through a variety
of events and restoration opportunities.

Research is a key part of those efforts and the orga-
nization works to collect data and use the best avail-
able science to help formulate restoration and pro-
tection plans while partnering with stakeholders,
agencies, and nonprofit colleagues. TetonWater.org
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BASECAMP

CATCH OF THE DAY
Two local experts share their fly-fishing tips

WORDS Kate Hull | IMAGES Grand Teton Fly Fishing-Scott Smith & Douglas Barnes Photography WorldCast Anglers

FOR MIKE DAWKINS, AN OPERATING PARTNER AT WORLDCAST ANGLERS IN VICTOR, IDAHO, THE BEAUTY OF
FLY-FISHING IS THAT YOU NEVER STOP LEARNING. THERE’S ALWAYS A NEW FLY TO TRY, AN UNCHARTED AREA OF
WATER TO EXPLORE, OR A DIFFERENT TYPE OF FISH TO CATCH.

During Teton Valley’s busy summer months, From seasoned anglers to father and son begin- But whatever the style of tackle, catching the elu-
Dawkins’ days start bright and early, getting cli- ner duos, Dawkins and his team enjoy pointing sive fish is infectious. So much so, that in 2014,
ents ready to head out for a guided trip or chat- people in the right direction and getting them according to Outdoor Foundation statistics, anglers
ting with visitors looking to explore Idaho and out on the river. Helping educate excited fish- went out fishing more than 900 million times—
Wyoming’s ample waterways. ermen and fisherwomen is an anchoring part of that’s 20 excursions per angler. And some of those
the experience. eager anglers even headed to Jackson Hole.
“I have a chance to be impactful on people’s Fly-fishing is a style of fishing that presents imita- So, how do you do it? For starters, Dawkins
outdoor pursuits,” Dawkins says. “When they tions of natural food sources to a fish in its nat- says to do your research and stop by a fly shop.
come back in after a day of fishing and are ural environment—versus fishing with bait that Inside, you’ll find industry experts ready to share
excited to keep learning more, that is very relies on the fish’s senses and honing in on smell. their knowledge.
rewarding.”
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