JACKSON, Wyo. — Public access to High School Butte is here to stay!
Last week, Jackson Hole Land Trust (JHLT) ran a Boot up the Butte campaign to encourage local hikers to log their hikes up the popular trail. A local donor had pledged to give $100,000 to JHLT toward the purchase of a parcel that holds the trailhead — if the public could hike it 1,000 times. The campaign was set to run for six days, and the goal was met in the first 48 hours. The Teton County Scenic Preserve Trust also kicked in $750,000 of Specific Purpose Excise Tax funds reserved for “Teton County Land Conservation Opportunities.”
In a Wednesday press release, JHLT said that more than 1,000 different community members climbed the butte 2,907 times. According to the nonprofit, entire gym classes from local schools logged their hikes, contributing to local enthusiasm. After the original goal had been met, a JHLT board member pledged $1 per additional hike over 1,000. In total, the campaign raised enough money to purchase the land, plus an extra $30,000 for trail improvements and habitat restoration.
“It was invigorating to be out there and hear firsthand the positive impact of this campaign,” JHLT Community Conservation Director Zach Andres said in a statement. “Now we turn to the trail work and habitat restoration that will keep High School Butte in good shape for the long haul.”
According to JHLT, the purchase of the land is underway. The organization plans to place a conservation easement on the property then transfer ownership to the Town of Jackson, which will permanently protect the land.
