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The economic ecosystem of Yellowstone National Park
Published
10 years agoon
By Katie Morrison
Explore Big Sky Staff Writer
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – The National Park Service released a report on Oct. 8, showing that Yellowstone National Park visitation numbers for 2014 have already surpassed the year-end total for 2013. More than 3.2 million people have visited the park since January, placing 2014 in top five visitation years since the park’s inception in 1872.
“As you look at long-term visitation numbers, there continues to be a slow, steady increase,” said YNP Chief of Public Affairs Al Nash.
Yellowstone’s complex ecosystem is a major draw: Bison, wolves, grizzlies, elk, eagles, trout, wolverines and caddis flies interact in an environment of geysers, mud pots, wildflowers, sagebrush, rivers and mountain lakes.
Of comparable diversity are Yellowstone’s visitors, traveling from around the U.S., as well as from countries around the globe every year. The human interaction between these visitors brings its own complexity, as they interface with one other and the natural world.
Yellowstone tourism has also a substantial economic impact on the surrounding communities. According to the NPS’ “2013 National Park Visitor Spending Effects Report,” the park brought $451 million to the region in 2013.
“Although it’s not why Yellowstone National Park was created, we recognize we are an important economic contributor to the region,” Nash said.
As is the case with any ecosystem, each organism in Yellowstone both gives to and receives from its environment. YNP not only brings revenue to the region, but also receives support from various sources, including area nonprofits like Yellowstone Park Foundation and the Yellowstone Association.
Nash says the park receives an estimated $33.8 million in federal funding for its base-operating budget, a number that has declined or remained static for several years. An additional $42 million come from other sources, which Nash says “[contribute] to operating Yellowstone.”
Rob Gilmore, Executive Director of the Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District, sees an expanded scope of the visitation impact.
The social and economic implications of the growing visitation to Yellowstone and surrounding communities drive their own set of challenges, Gilmore says. While the rise in visitation is a financial boon to gateway towns, it also creates pressure on basic infrastructure needs such as healthcare facilities and employee housing.
“There are synergies between the [gateway] communities, so it makes sense that regional problems can have regional solutions,” Gilmore said.
These synergies have sparked collaborative efforts, crossing state lines with initiatives including YPF’s Gateway Businesses For The Park program, which brings area businesses together in support of the park. The program represents companies from many different aspects of the regional economy, from the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport to small businesses like Big Sky’s East Slope Outdoors.
“We support Yellowstone because we believe its sustainability is vital to not only preserve the natural resource, but also the economic viability of the region,” said Jeff Burgard, president of AlphaGraphics printing, a For the Park member in Bozeman.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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april, 2024
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
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14 (Sunday) 12:00 pm - 28 (Sunday) 6:00 pm
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m.
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Please join the Arts Council of Big Sky for free music from Jacob Rountree at the Wilson Hotel Lobby Bar from 5-7 p.m. on April 24.
Jacob Rountree is an alternative/indie songwriter living in the stunning alpine of Montana. Contemplative yet playful, his lyric forward style is reflective of his love for philosophy, poetry and quantum physics.
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(Wednesday) 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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The Wilson Hotel
145 Town Center Ave
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Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Event Details
Trivia from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Waypoint in Town Center. Participation is free, food and beverages available.
Time
(Wednesday) 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Location
The Waypoint
50 Ousel Falls Rd