JACKSON, Wyo. — Despite the pause on federal funding and lack of clarity around federal grants, the nonprofit Friends of the Bridger-Teton (FBT) is not concerned.
According to Scott Kosiba, FBT executive director, new administrations typically bring a hiring pause and a pause on grants and agreements. While Kosiba says FBT is in waiting mode, he says he’s not panicking.
“Every year is different,” Kosiba tells Buckrail. “This year is certainly no different. Where we are today, there’s a lot of uncertainty and unanswered questions, but as it stands now we are at the ready and prepared to work with our Forest partners as they request support.”
Kosiba says the organization has historically done a lot of work from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) grants, with about $250,000 in current grants from existing agreements. Kosiba says the biggest success FBT had in 2024 leveraging USFS federal dollars was the restoration and rehab of the Granite Falls day use area, a $100,000 project.
“We don’t currently have anything like that on the horizon,” Kosiba says.
FBT is waiting to hear how to spend their current funds. Kosiba tells Buckrail that FBT typically sees three to five year agreements, and every year as more funds become available there will be a modification to those existing agreements where funds are added. Right now, though, there’s a pause on any spending or modifications.
“On our end as a nonprofit, we’re not in panic mode,” Kosiba says. “We’re just in waiting mode.”
A big project that FBT does every summer by leveraging federal dollars is pumping almost every single vault toilet on the Forest. But because it’s winter and there’s still time before the operations are necessary, Kosiba says he isn’t worried yet.
“I feel confident that the programs we’ve been able to stand up will continue to be strong and grow, and we’ll provide really meaningful impact to visitors and residents in Teton County,” Kosiba tells Buckrail.
