Wyoming Outdoor Recreation & Wyoming State Parks Annual Conference
By: Sarah Reish | Photos Courtesy of Laurel Thompson
For the first time since 2019 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Wyoming State Parks has had the opportunity to meet and hold their annual staff conference. There were over 100 staff, guest speakers and State Parks’ Commissioners attending the three day conference. Live WYld has enjoyed numerous trips exploring and camping in state parks and we were thrilled to sponsor a portion of this training and continuing education. It took place in Cody in three locations and we were able to get a sneak peek into the event and wanted to share some cool details.
About The Conference
The conference had three locations, Holiday Inn, Center of the West and Buffalo Bill State Park. The attendees were able to break into groups and visit the Buffalo Bill State Park & Buffalo Bill Dam or tour the Museum and have a viewing of the new Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route. This is the 11th BDR in the country and it officially debuted February 1st of this year in partnership with Wyoming Outdoor Recreation. The official documentary film will be available to the public on May 1st, 2022. A preview of the Wyoming BDR and film is available below. You can read more about this here.
Guest Speaker
During the conference the State Park attendees had guest speakers from the Wyoming Business Council, Amy Quick, Marilee Jackson and Mike Fink and from Wyoming Recreation and Parks Association, and Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner Ashley Lundvall amongst others. The theme for the conference was, Reaching New Heights, so the speakers tied their presentations into the theme - overcoming the adversities of the pandemic, being creative and innovative to address the influx of travelers and guests to our parks and to outdoor recreation as a whole. There was a huge focus on teamwork and passion to provide amazing experiences and memories. State parks mission is to improve communities and enrich lives.
Showing Live WYld Love
We wanted to give a big thank you and send some love to the amazing group of people that keep our outdoor recreation alive and take care of our amazing state. So we sent over some of our merch for a raffle drawing and here is a peak at some of the winners and their Live WYld gear! From left to right are Medicine Lodge Archeological Site Superintendent Heather Jolley, Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Outdoor Recreation Coordinator Brynn Hirschman, Wyoming State Parks District Manager Brooks Jordan and Wyoming State Parks Deputy Director Nick Neylon. Congratulations to all and thank you for all you do!
Check It Out & Explore Wyoming
Here is the official documentary trailer for those wanting a sneak peek at the Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Routes. Be sure to thank your State Park staff the next time you are recreating and share you adventure photos on social media. Tag us @LiveWYldMag and use #LiveWYld.