Vol. 1, Issue 5

Organization of the Month

Wild West Paddle Club, PCORC

Wild West Paddle club is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide whitewater kayak and river safety instruction to kids ages 11- 18 years of age. This organization is 10 years old and they have successfully introduced well over 100 kids to the lifestyle of river-running and whitewater kayaking, as well as being good stewards of rivers. The past two summers, they have been able to offer this program free of charge for youth in Cody and surrounding areas thanks to a grant from Park County School District 6. "Having a river in our backyard is a luxury not everyone has, so we wanted to highlight the value it brings to our community." The paddle club hosts the Wild West Riverfest each August. This includes 3 days of whitewater competitions and celebration of the river community.

Wild West Paddle Club aims to get more kids in boats, to bring back community night floats on the river, and to plan another successful Riverfest. People can become involved in this program as Mentor/ instructors if they are willing to pursue some certifications such as ACA instructor and swift-water training. Youth in the community can get involved by signing up for the summer slam programs through the Park 6 website. Volunteers are needed to help with Riverfest safety, event coordination and race crew staff, or even just help get the word out regarding river stewardship. Don’t miss the Annual Wild West Riverfest, August 11-13, 2023. It consists of a Slalom kayak races, class III-IV boater-cross race and a class II downriver race open to all types of craft. Additionally, there is a concert Saturday night and a nacho bar and awards Sunday after the downriver race.

Check out the Wild West Paddle Club

Featured Business

North Platte Lodge, NCORC

North Platte Lodge and The Reef Fly Shop, Cottages & RV are the only private properties at Grey Reef west of Casper. As the first permitted fishing outfitter in central WY, the lodge provides inclusive fly fishing trips, bird and big game hunting packages; day trips, vacation rentals, RV sites, drift boat rentals, shuttle service, and a retail fly shop. They believe in high quality experiences as opposed to overcrowding the river. They support conservation, preservation and practicing fair chase. Guests at North Platte Lodge always fish barbless flies and never pegged bead rigs. The guides are conscious to not over fish runs to ensure Grey Reef, Miracle Mile and Fremont Canyon remain the same awesome fisheries twenty years from now as they were twenty years ago. Lodge guests range from corporate groups who expect excellent meals, excellent guides, camaraderie and seclusion for their team building to families and locals visiting Alcova Reservoir and Independence Rock. They also serve well-seasoned anglers and folks just getting into fly fishing. Everything we do is outdoor recreation based. North Platte Lodge guests are treated to an inclusive fly fishing and/or hunting experience packaged with expert guides, lodging and chef prepared meals. While the patrons of The Reef Fly Shop book daily fly fishing trips, bird hunts or big game hunts; nightly lodging in one of the Grey Reef vacation rentals or RV sites, rent a drift boat, book a river shuttle, buy proven gear and beer in the retail store or swing in for a handful of custom flies and the best advice in the biz.

Visit the North Platte Lodge

Meet the Advisors

Christy Fleming, BBORC

Who is your employer? I am the Chief of Interpretation for the National Park Service, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Which Outdoor Recreation Collaborative(s) do you advise? I work with the Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative, and I live in Lovell.
Why do you love your job? I have been at Bighorn Canyon for almost 24 years. I learn new things as people share new places in the park with me all the time. Just when I think I know the park inside and out, someone comes along and shows me my new favorite place. I get to work with amazing people - staff, volunteers, partners. My favorite programs at the park are the Artist In Residence program and the Kayak program. Both offer unique ways to enjoy the canyon and surrounding land and waters.
What are 3 ways you support outdoor recreation through your work? We work with our public lands partners to provide safe and enjoyable places for visitors to recreate. We introduce people to new activities - hiking, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, ect...We work with local schools not only to share the history but also to instill an outdoor recreation ethic through experiences and leave no trace principles. We just completed our annual Arbor Day program that we partner with the Lovell 5th grade classes and the Town of Lovell. Through this program, the students learn about the importance of trees and taking care of their environment.
What are some projects you are currently working on? I am working with the Blueway committee to promote the Bighorn River as a blueway trail. Bighorn Canyon will also be presenting some pop-up paddleboard classes through the summer. We will also have geology and historic ranch hikes for all ages.
How and with whom do you like to spend your free time? I spend my free time with family and friends usually enjoying the outdoors. I love kayaking and hiking. I also spend time doing art projects with my niece.
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? I wrote a book about the town of Garland, WY.
What are your 3 favorite places in Wyoming to visit, and why? Hard question. So many. My family's cabin on the North Fork. It is where I unwind and reconnect to nature. Five Springs has always been one of my favorites. I love all the mountain ranges around me and am excited to explore more of the the Wind River Mountains this summer.

Collaborative Member Spotlight

Mark Lyon, SCORC

Who is your employer, and what is your official job title? City of Rock Springs Parks Superintendent
What organizations and clubs do you participate in? I am on numerous local committees and boards.
Why is outdoor recreation important to you?. It has been a way of life for me, all of my life.
How do you spend your time outdoors? I enjoy fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and exploring.
What are your 3 favorite outdoor recreation areas/trails in Wyoming? Red Desert, Seedskadee, Wind River Mountains
Why did you choose to join the Outdoor Recreation Collaborative? I had the privilege to be part of the Governor Meads Outdoor Recreation Task Force in 2017 and wanted to be able to continue the work in Sweetwater County.
Do you have any project advice for other Collaborative Members in Wyoming? Stay focused and involved in the collaborative.

Wyoming Pathways

Challenge for Charities

Wyoming Pathways is participating in Challenge for Charities which will support their work in Lander, Wyoming. Click the link below to support Wyoming Pathways and to see a video of a first-of-its-kind downhill-optimized trail, the "J-Line '' at Johnny Behind the Rocks (JBR). This is a beautifully and sustainably built trail that provides a rare and exhilarating experience for both local riders and visitors of all ages and abilities.

Check out this epic trail in Lander

Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives

The Northeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative is gearing up for the 3rd Annual Cave Man Fun Run on May 20th outside of Newcastle. This partnership with the Bent Sprockets will feature the grand opening of the newly rebuilt trail at the Flying V that is optimized for adaptive mountain bike riders. The Flying V Trail system includes approximately 24 trails and great parking. All Collaborative members are invited and encouraged to attend. NEWORC is also exploring options for an alternative location for a pump track and bike park in Campbell County. Members of the Collaborative have had preliminary conversations with City officials in Gillette to ensure the park will be accessible and sustainable for the community. The Sundance Chain Gang is working on a summer biking event, the Tour De Berry. This 45-50 mile ride will start and finish in Sundance- stay tuned for more information. The Collaborative will continue to support Keyhole State Park's recreation projects are they are identified.

Check out the Flying V Trail Map

The Park County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative continues to keep their fingers crossed for word on the NEPA findings for the Outlaw Trails outside of Cody. Meanwhile, a local group "TOP" (That Other Project) has secured a T-Mobile Hometown grant to build a trailhead, restroom, and parking area to support the users of the trails. Construction of this trailhead is currently underway. In other news, Wyoming State Parks in partnership with the BOR continues work on the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and State Park Resource Management Plan. This document is intended to be the foundation for decision-making for recreation and visitor amenities balanced with the preservation of natural and cultural resources for the next 20 years. Park officials are asking for input from the community on what they enjoy about the Park and improvements or changes they would like to see. To participate in the public planning process, Park visitors are encouraged to complete the survey by clicking the link below.

Buffalo Bill State Park Interest Survey

The Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative is seeing progress on the Bighorn Blueway Trail project. A subcommittee has been formed to consider a summertime river float event to educate the communities from Hot Springs, Washakie, and Big Horn Counties about the proposed project. There are also opportunities for members of the public to float the river with the BLM this summer and participate in a cleanup along the Bighorn River on June 3rd for National Trails Day. The Collaborative heard details on the Darnell Hills OHV Project, and has offered to help. The area is BLM managed land near Lovell, and is open to Off-highway vehicle use. It has been proposed to make it more family friendly by building a beginner loop. Work will also be done to repair the existing campsites and parking. The Collaborative has begun to research and gather information about a potential project near Canyon Creek (Ten Sleep) to increase safety for rock climbing access to popular routes.

Bighorn Blueway Water Trail in the News

Sweetwater County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative: Over 30 collaborative members met in Green River for the May meeting. The meeting included guest speaker CarlyAnn Carruthers, Planning and Grants Manager for Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. She provided input on the Site Criteria Process for new state park sites and answered questions related to the topic. A subcommittee will be established to formalize a working group for a state park in Sweetwater County. The area of focus is the Firehole Canyon region within Flaming Gorge Recreation Area. Other subcommittee updates were provided and led to several discussions. In lieu of a 2-hour indoor July meeting, collaborative members will be taking a tour of the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area with Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism in August! Subcommittees will meet during June and July.

Learn more about Flaming Gorge bus tours here

Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative: The May meeting took place in Lander with 30 folks in attendance. Four subcommittees have formed and provided updates from their initial meetings. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) Advisory Group subcommittee is planning an event for Lander/South Pass City. An Advisory Group is necessary to maintain the Gateway Community designation that Lander/South Pass City received last Fall. This group will meet 3-4 times a year, plan an annual CDT event, check in with the Gateway Community Manager, and recruit Gateway Community Ambassadors. Members heard updates from several local, state, and federal organizations including updates on WRORC projects like the Bus Loops and Government Draw. The second half of the meeting included a presentation from Kyle Elmquist, Wyoming Outdoor Council, on the current conservation efforts of the Red Desert.

Visit the CDT Coalition website to learn more about Gateway Communities in Wyoming:

The Steering Committee from the Natrona County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative finalized their logo. Hell’s Half Acre subcommittee will meet this month for an on-site field trip to Hell’s Half Acre to explore the potential of re-opening the existing gravel road to the bottom of the canyon as a walk-in only access. This project would include some road work, and substantial signage. In partnership with the Natrona County Parks Department and Visit Casper, and balancing the recreation potential of the area with protecting the amazing natural resources within Hell's Half Acre, the subcommittee will begin work on a project proposal with the goal of being prepared as outdoor recreation funding sources become available. This winter's snowfall has resulted in some challenges on the Bridle Trail. The Central Wyoming Trails Alliance (CWTA) has worked to remove fallen trees along the trail, making the popular hiking loop safe, accessible, and ready for visitors.

Check out CWTA's recent work on the Bridle Trail

The Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative: On the day of the May collaborative meeting, Laramie had a tornado touch down! Thankfully it was harmless. Collaborative members heard from Jason Sehon with the City of Rawlins, about the archery and shooting range projects currently seeking funding. New opportunities are forming with the City of Rawlins, the collaborative, and the Bureau of Land Management. This includes a bike park and discussions about enhancing Rim Lake Recreation Area and Rogers Canyon. There are several active subcommittees with most projects relating to Forest Service Lands. The SWORC Recreation User Survey is almost complete and posters to share the survey have been created (thanks, Laurel!). The July meeting is still TBD, but the group may plan for a group hike and an informational discussion afterward.

Check out this job opportunity at the National Forest Foundation!

Coming Soon...

Outdoor Recreation Collaborative #8

Sheridan/Johnson Counties

In the News

Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Casper Shooters Club are thrilled to announce the seventh annual Magpul Wyoming Governor’s Match, presented by Vortex Optics, will be held July 14-16 in Casper, Wyoming at the Stuckenhoff Shooting Complex for the third year in a row.

This national-level shooting sports competition has become a tradition for many, bringing together elected officials and members of the public to observe and interact with some of the greatest competition shooters in the world.

Not only does this high-level shooting competition provide an exciting opportunity for shooters and spectators, but it is also a lucrative event for Casper and the surrounding area with hundreds of participants and attendees supporting Wyoming’s local and state economies with additional travel and tourism dollars.

This year’s match anticipates hosting up to 360 competitive shooters in a USPSA Level II match that includes 11 stages plus chrono and 400 rounds. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

In addition to the match, organizers are currently working with Downtown Casper, Visit Casper and other local organizations to host additional events throughout the weekend, including the first Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Expo to take place at David Street Station Saturday, July 15 from 3:00PM to 7:30PM featuring Wyoming based firearms and outdoor recreation vendors, food trucks, family friendly activities and live entertainment. This event is free and open to the public.

Learn More & Register