Living the outdoor lifestyle is one of the major attractions of Wyoming for residents. Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife, and sightseeing bring millions of people to visit each year. Conservation plays a significant role in keeping those options available for everyone, and it takes many people working together to make that happen.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department relies on those who are passionate about conserving the Wyoming way of life, and there are always those who go above and beyond. That’s why WGFD is now taking nominations for the 2026 class of the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant and lasting lifetime contributions to the conservation of Wyoming’s outdoor heritage. Since 2004, it has recognized individuals who have worked consistently over many years to conserve Wyoming’s natural resources through volunteer service, environmental restoration, educational activities, audio/visual and written media, the arts and political and individual leadership.
Historic names like President Theodore Roosevelt, Curt Gowdy, James H. “Jim” Bridger, and Buffalo Bill Cody are among the names who have been etched into Wyoming history by being inducted into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame.
Could your name be next to those? Absolutely, if you meet the criteria.
The following represents standards for induction into the Wyoming Outdoor Hall of Fame. The Selection Committee shall use these standards as a written guide in making inductee selections. but shall not be limited to only these standards:
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Whether the nominee’s contribution was of such a nature as to have statewide, inter-state or national significance;
Whether the nominee’s contribution affected a wide range of natural resources and their use;
Whether the nominee’s contributions were made in a manner that will enable them to be measured in the context of past inductee or nominee contributions, and in the historical setting of the time in which he or she lived, or lives;
The nominee must have influenced conservation in Wyoming through a sustained and outstanding contribution during the course of their employment, or through volunteer efforts, in at least one – and preferably several – of the following areas:
Environmental law enforcement
Applied resource management
Conservation education
Conservation policy formation, legislation, and public leadership
Conservation-oriented research
Conservation literature, art, or journalism
Volunteer or paid efforts in the interest of conservation
If the nominee is a living person, to be considered, they shall be at a stage in their career where their contributions to conservation are undeniable and unlikely to be impugned by any present or future endeavors.
On top of the Hall of Fame nominations, WGFD is looking for nominations for the Wyoming Youth Conservationist of the Year award. This award honors residents 18 and under for their leadership and achievements in conservation.
The nomination process is simple and will be open until March 31.
To nominate someone for the Hall of Fame: HERE is a step-by-step guide.
To nominate someone 18 and younger for the Youth Conservationist of the Year award: HERE is a step-by-step guide.
Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, and Trails has officially released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for professional appraisal services to evaluate concession facilities at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming.
These appraisals are mandated by 2026 Senate Enrolled Act 27, Section 335, which requires appraisals of the “capital investment” and “ongoing concern” for the businesses known as the Star Plunge and the Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
Qualified professional appraisers are encouraged to review the full requirements. Proposals must be submitted through the State’s Public Purchase online bidding system by 2:00 p.m., May 18, 2026. To view the full RFP (Number 0270-M), please visit https://www.publicpurchase.com/gems/wyominggsd,wy/buyer/public/home.
For additional information, contact Wyoming State Parks’ Visitor Services Manager Stephanie Dillmon at (307) 777-5734 or by email at Stephanie.Dillmon2@wyo.gov or learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov.
When a clinic closes in Wyoming, it doesn’t just close a door; it can cut off access to care for entire communities.
For many residents, getting to a health care provider already means traveling long distances across multiple counties, and local clinics are often the only nearby option for basic health care. With one Title X Family Planning clinic in western Wyoming now closed, the challenge is becoming even more real for many people.
Reproductive and sexual health care is a key part of overall health, but it’s often one of the first services people lose access to when clinics close. Title X Family Planning is a federal program that helps people get essential preventive care, no matter their income. These clinics offer services like birth control, cancer screenings, STI and HIV testing, and care before pregnancy. They help people stay healthy, catch problems early, and plan for their futures.
The need is real. Wyoming’s Title X Family Planning network remains a critical part of the state’s health care system, helping bridge gaps in both access and affordability. With 9 clinics currently serving communities across the state, these providers cared for nearly 12,000 patients through more than 28,000 visits between 2022 and 2025. For many, these clinics are their only source of care: 49% of patients were uninsured, and nearly half were living at or below the federal poverty level.
In a state where distance and cost can both be barriers, affordable care is essential. About 14.6% of Wyoming women ages 19–44 are uninsured, higher than the national average. Title X clinics help meet this need by offering low- or no-cost care, while also connecting patients to referrals and additional health services when needed, ensuring more individuals can get the care they deserve.
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These clinics are also on the front lines of prevention. In recent years, they delivered more than 3,100 cervical cancer screenings and about 20,000 STI and HIV tests. Services like these support early detection and treatment, helping reduce the need for more serious and costly care down the line.
In rural states like Wyoming, once a clinic closes, it is very hard to bring it back. These clinics are more than buildings; they are part of the local health care system that keeps communities healthy.
The good news is that Title X Family Planning clinics are still open, working every day to serve their communities. The Wyoming Health Council supports this network of clinics and works to ensure that people across the state can access the care they need. Through partnerships, education, and community-based programs, the organization helps connect Wyoming residents to reproductive and sexual health services, no matter where they live.
In a state where distance, cost, and provider shortages all play a role, these clinics, and the work supporting them, are more than just a convenience. They are a lifeline.
To help sustain this work and protect access to care across Wyoming, consider making a donation to the Wyoming Health Council.
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Donation Link: givebutter.com/WYTitleX
Required Federal Funding statement: This project is supported by the Office of Populations Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $978,380 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.S. Government.
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CASPER, Wyo. — The Casper City Council voted Tuesday to approve on first reading a zoning change for a vacant 2.4-acre parcel located at 1530 SE Wyoming Boulevard, transitioning the property from residential to commercial use.
The ordinance reclassifies Lot 4 of the Methodist Church Addition from Residential Estate to General Business. Located between East 15th and East 18th streets, the irregular-shaped property has remained undeveloped since it was first platted in 1984.
While original plans for the subdivision envisioned a church and an associated preschool, Community Development Director Liz Becher reported those projects never materialized.
According to Becher, the applicant sought the rezoning to facilitate the potential installation of a cell tower or an off-premises sign. Under the new C-2 designation, a cell tower up to 130 feet in height is considered a permitted use by right, though any off-premises sign would still require a conditional use permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicant also owns the adjacent lot to the north, which the city rezoned to general business in 2021.
Becher said the change aligns with the “Employment Mixed Use” classification in the Generation Casper comprehensive land use plan. This designation typically supports civic, institutional and employment spaces.
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Despite the new zoning, the property remains subject to a subdivision agreement that limits traffic access. Entry and exit are restricted to right turns onto or from East 15th Street, and no access is permitted from East 18th Street.
The council will vote on two more readings of the ordinance before it is officially ratified.
