YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — The largest single private gift in National Park Service (NPS) history has been awarded to Yellowstone National Park (YNP), the park announced alongside its nonprofit arm Yellowstone Forever on Monday.
A $105 million conservation and stewardship fund has been established to advance conservation and research, strengthen park infrastructure and expand visitor access to YNP, per the announcement. Part of that goal includes improving opportunities for students in the state to access the park. Funds will come from Colorado-based energy company Tallgrass, a Blackstone Infrastructure portfolio company.
“This is a transformational investment in Yellowstone National Park,” Yellowstone Forever President and CEO Lisa Diekmann said in a statement. “It gives us the ability to meet urgent needs today while building enduring support for the research, education, stewardship and visitor infrastructure that will protect this park for generations to come.”
NPS will retain full authority over park management decisions, the announcement states. According to WyoFile, one infrastructure project on the docket will be a $35 million visitor center at Norris Geyser Basin.
Tallgrass’ energy projects include an AI data center near Cheyenne.
YNP announced last week that Barclay Trimble will serve as acting park superintendent following the departure of Cam Sholly.
