October 15, 2015 – Bozeman, MT/Gardiner, MT — The board of directors of the Yellowstone Association and the Yellowstone Park Foundation announced today their intent to merge into a new nonprofit organization to benefit Yellowstone National Park. The new organization expects to begin operating jointly by March 2016, and will be fully in effect by February 2017.

The merger of the Yellowstone Park Foundation and the Yellowstone Association creates a single nonprofit organization of more than 50,000 supporters. The combined organization will be more flexible, and able to respond more effectively to the needs of Yellowstone National Park.

“The Yellowstone Association has enjoyed a proud heritage since 1933 of connecting visitors to Yellowstone and our natural world through education,” said Jeff Brown, executive director of the Yellowstone Association. “We are excited that the new organization will serve the combined missions and connect people to Yellowstone through outstanding visitor experiences and educational programs, as well as translating those experiences into lifelong support and philanthropic investment.”

“We have a responsibility to the employees, members and donors of both organizations to continue our mission to serve one of our nation’s crown jewels, Yellowstone National Park,” said Karen Bates Kress, president of Yellowstone Park Foundation. “We believe combining both organizations will result in a more responsive organization that will better promote, protect and enhance the Park experience for the millions of visitors each year.”

About the Yellowstone Park Foundation:
The Yellowstone Park Foundation (YPF) has served as Yellowstone National Park’s official fundraising partner since 1996. Its mission is to fund projects and programs that protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and cultural resources, and the visitor experience of the Park. YPF has raised more than $100 million, and funded more than 325 important projects and initiatives since 1996 that include wildlife research, cutthroat trout restoration, trail maintenance, and youth education.

About the Yellowstone Association:
Founded in 1933, the Yellowstone Association is the park’s nonprofit educational partner and has provided over $59 million in aid to Yellowstone National Park since its inception. The Association is the National Park Service’s primary partner in providing educational programs, exhibits, and publications for park visitors. Operations include 12 educational stores with gross sales of $3.7 million, the YA Institute which offers nearly 600 in-depth courses each year, and a membership program with nearly 35,000 members. Revenues from sales and memberships allow the Association to make an annual cash donation to the National Park Service for education and research at Yellowstone.

For more information, please contact:
Wendie Carr, Director of Marketing & Communications
406.586.6303 ext. 115 – [email protected]