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STORIES -> Success Stories - Partnerships with Forest Service
The Mystery Man of Jackson Hole
No one knows who he is. Some call him a saint. Others believe he is a figment of the imagination.
Several believe he is alive and well and living right here in Jackson Hole. Whoever he is, the river
users of the BTNF will be forever grateful to the mystery man that started something beautiful. He is
the man that planted the seed for the Snake River Fund.
The Snake River Fund has been one of the most successful
partnerships between the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF), the river users community and the
Community Foundation of Jackson Hole (CFJH). In 1998, the Jackson Ranger District of the BTNF was
faced with a dilemma. Appropriated funds were insufficient to keep river facilities open, protect river
resources, and adequately manage a high level of use on the Snake River just south of Jackson Hole,
Wyoming. Although funding had remained static over the years, use on the river had increased 100% to
over 200,000 boaters alone in the summer months. Maintenance of existing facilities was in a steady
decline. Ramps and parking lots were falling into a state of disrepair. Conservation and wildlife
studies and projects were not being completed. The Jackson Ranger District had to consider alternatives
such as cutting back on river facility costs and services, instituting a fee system and developing
partnerships that would allow for current levels of use to continue.
In 1998, the decision was made to implement a recreation fee system.
Shortly before the fee signs went up, a man approached Linda Merigliano, the Jackson Wilderness and Trails
Specialist, who was leading a trail project at the time. The man expressed concern about the future
implications of having a fee system, and suggested an alternative solution. This individual (who to this
day remains anonymous) offered to donate $50,000 to enhance the river corridor if the community could come
up with an additional $10,000.
The matching $10,000 was quickly raised from concerned river users.
Through Linda's help, the Forest Service was able to set up a partnership with the Community Foundation of
Jackson Hole (CFJH), a non-profit organization that works to enhance philanthropy and strengthen the sense
of community in the Jackson Hole area. The Foundation agreed to act as the administrator of the newly
created Snake River Fund, manage donations and finances, and facilitate the decision-making. A Forest
Service partnership grant was awarded to cover all the overhead expenses associated with creating and
promoting the fund for the 1999 season. This allowed for every dollar donated to go directly back into
projects to benefit the river.
![[Photo]: Three people gladly accepting grant.](/common/images/mysteryman1.jpg) |
| Left to Right: Forest Supervisor Carole 'Kniffy' Hamilton, River Manager
David Cernicek and District Ranger Nancy Hall accepting the grant at the
Old Bill's Fun Run awards ceremony. |
The fund was set up to be driven completely by the river using community. A steering committee was assembled
to make decisions about what donated monies would be used for. Committee members include: a commercial
whitewater outfitter, two fishing outfitters, three noncommercial boaters and fishermen, members of
whitewater clubs in the region, and county government representatives. Each year the fund solicits input from
all river users as to what could be improved in the river corridor. Taking the input, the forest constructs
a budget to meet all of the requests, presents it to the committee, and they select what projects are funded
at what levels.
The momentum of the Snake River Fund has yet to falter. This Snake
River Fund has continued to grow in strength and popularity. In 2001, the Snake River Fund raised
$88,000 in funds for improvements along the river corridor. A matching grant of $13,000 from the Old
Bills Fun Run in the fall of 2001 was presented to River Manager David Cernicek, District Ranger Nancy
Hall and Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton to be used for river projects such as wildlife interpretation,
facility and parking lot repair, maintenance and upkeep of restrooms, increased river patrols and trout
habitat studies to name a few. Additionally, the district has also been able to strengthen partnerships
with the neighboring Star Valley Search and Rescue squad due to the success of the Snake River Fund. In
the times of crisis on the river, both Star Valley and the Forest respond. The users of the Snake River
enjoy the benefits of this added coverage. This last December, the Snake River Fund purchased eight
rescue vests for the Star Valley squad in appreciation of their help through the summer months. Ranger
Hall backed up the award with a certificate of appreciation from the agency.
![[Photo]: Man accepting award.](/common/images/mysteryman2.jpg) |
| Left to Right: Star Valley Search and Rescue Team Member
John Kovach receiving eight swift water rescue jackets from
the Bridger-Teton's David Cernicek.
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This partnership between the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
and all the Snake River corridor users has gained national attention as well. Articles on the Snake
River Fund have appeared in publications such as: High Country News, Paddler Magazine, and the American
Whitewater Journal. This year, the Snake became the first river in the country to have Automatic
External Defibrillators (AED's) available for public use at busy boat ramps, thanks to the monies
raised by the Snake River Fund. The ramps where these devices are located are in areas where emergency
response can take over an hour. It is hoped that having the AED's at ramps along the river will be the
difference between life and death with the next heart attack or drowning victim that CPR will not work
for. There are also currently plans in place for the Snake River Fund to work in conjunction with
Montana State University Engineering Department to design and build a vault restroom made of fly ash,
a burned coal waste product for which very few uses have been found. In these times where funding for
the federal recreation areas has been scarce, the new face of the Forest Service is forced to find
creative ways to continue to serve the needs of the public. The dynamic nature of this collaboration
is an effort that the Bridger-Teton hopes to duplicate in other areas of service.
For more information contact:
Mary Lendman
Public Affairs, Bridger-Teton NF
307-739-5500
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PARTNERING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE
