Wyoming
Government buys Grand Teton National Park land for $100 million to protect from developers
The Department of Interior provided $62.4 million for the purchase and the Grand Teton National Park Foundation raised the remaining $37.6 million through private donations.
Wyoming officials approve $100 million sale to government
The Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners approved the sale of the state’s Kelly Parcel for $100 million to the U.S. Department of Interior.
A portion of land within Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park has been sold to the federal government, which will prohibit private development.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon certified the sale of the state’s so-called Kelly Parcel to the U.S. Department of Interior for $100 million on Friday. Gordon has previously indicated his desire to use the proceeds to buy other federal lands and minerals within Wyoming, according to a news release. The $100 million could be combined with an additional $62 million from the sale of other parcels in Teton County, Wyoming, for that purpose.
The Department of Interior, through the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, footed $62.4 million of the total price. The Grand Teton National Park Foundation, through private funding, raised the additional $37.6 million needed for the purchase, according to a Grand Teton National Park Foundation news release.
“Along with the protection of an iconic parcel of land, we now begin working to ensure that there is no net-gain in federal lands in Wyoming,” Gordon said in a statement. “It has been my goal to utilize the proceeds of this sale to expand the state’s portfolio of lands and minerals, and this is the first step towards doing so.”
The private funding was led by two anonymous families, in addition to the National Park Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Jackson Hole Hand Trust and nearly 400 donors from 46 states, who gave between $10 to $15 million, according to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
Here’s what you need to know.
Governor’s move comes with a note of criticism
Despite the finalization, Gordon has also leveled criticism at the Bureau of Land Management, operated by the Department of Interior, for its handling of the sale. In a news release, Gordon claimed that the federal government, especially under the Biden-Harris Administration, has dragged its feet with the sale, despite the desires of Wyoming residents.
“With President Trump in office, former Gov. Burgum at the head of the Department of the Interior, and a Republican Senate and House, I am confident that we will have the ability to finish the job and right a course that has been so far off track over the last four years,” Gordon said in a news release. Doug Burgum is the former governor of North Dakota and was recently named by Trump to lead the Department of Interior.
The Bureau of Land Management did not immediately respond for comment about the Kelly Parcel purchase when contacted by USA TODAY on Tuesday.
Years in the making
The finalized sale follows years of conversations about the Kelly Parcel. Most recently, the Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners, which Gordon sits on, approved the sale in November.
Over the past 12 years, the Board of Land Commissioners has disposed three parcels of land near Grand Teton National Park to the U.S. Department of Labor. These sales, which occurred between 2012 and 2016, accrued $62 million. The board is permitted, under state law, to utilize this funding to acquire other federal lands.
As for the Kelly Parcel specifically, there had been discussions in the past of opening up the land for public auction, which would have allowed private developers to buy it.
What is the Kelly Parcel?
Located within Grand Teton National Park, the Kelly Parcel stretches 640 acres through the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It has been owned by the state of Wyoming since the state’s establishment, but it’s only been a part of the national park since 1950.
The Kelly Parcel is a state trust land, which means that assets from the land generate income for Wyoming public schools, as stated in the state’s constitution. The parcel, according to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, currently obtained about $2,800 annual through various permits.
The sale of the Kelly Parcel will return approximately $69.6 million into Wyoming’s Common School Permanent Fund within the first 10 years, according to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation.
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
The 2026 Wyoming High School boys’ soccer season is close to its finish. Only three weeks remain. 4A teams will conclude the regular season, as they jockey for positions going into next week’s regional tournaments. Meanwhile, 3A schools have this week and next week left in the regular season. They are trying to reach the top four of the league standings, as those are the teams that qualify for the state tournament in two weeks.
WYOPREPS WEEK 8 BOYS SOCCER SCHEDULE 2026
Three matches this week feature ranked opponents squaring off. Sheridan will host Thunder Basin on Friday. In 3A on Saturday, top-ranked Cody is at No. 5 Mountain View, and four-rated Torrington goes to No. 2 Buffalo. Just like the ladies, you have some rivalry matches on the schedule with Rock Springs-Green River, Jackson-Star Valley, and Thunder Basin-Campbell County. Wednesday will bring new soccer rankings. This is the boys’ schedule for Week 8. Schedules are subject to change.
TUESDAY, MAY 5:
CLASS 4A
Final Score: #2 Sheridan 2 Campbell County 1 (conference match)
Final Score: Riverton 3 Natrona County 1 (conference match)
CLASS 3A
Pinedale at Rawlins – postponed to May 11 – changed to May 9 for boys’ match only!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6:
CLASS 4A
Laramie at Cheyenne Central – postponed to May 9
Cheyenne South at Cheyenne East – postponed to May 9
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THURSDAY, MAY 7:
CLASS 4A
Final Score: #1 Jackson 8 Star Valley 2 (conference match)
Final Score: #4 Thunder Basin 3 Campbell County 1 (conference match)
Final Score: Rock Springs 2 #5 Green River 1 (conference match)
FRIDAY, MAY 8:
CLASS 4A
Final Score: Cheyenne Central 6 Cheyenne South 0 (conference match)
Final Score: #2 Sheridan 3 #4 Thunder Basin 1 (conference match)
Final Score: #2 Kelly Walsh 6 Riverton 0 (conference match)
Final Score: Laramie 3 Cheyenne East 1 (conference match)
Final Score: Evanston 2 Natrona County 2 – TIE (conference match) – Red Devils scored with 1 second left for the draw.
CLASS 3A
Final Score: #4 Worland 1 Rawlins 0 (conference match) – Kobe Bradshaw scored the GW goal on a PK in the 1st half.
Final Score: Douglas 2 Torrington 2 (conference match) – Shootout = Torrington wins 4-3!
Final Score: #1 Cody Lyman (conference match)
Final Score: #2 Lander 3 Pinedale 0 (conference match)
Final Score: Powell 1 #5 Mountain View 0 (conference match) – Gianrey Dallesandro with the GW-goal, assisted by Ethan Frame.
Final Score: #3 Buffalo 1 Newcastle 0 (conference match) – forfeit win for the Bison.
SATURDAY, MAY 9:
CLASS 4A
Laramie at Cheyenne Central, 11 a.m. (conference match)
Evanston at #2 Kelly Walsh, noon (conference match)
Cheyenne South at Cheyenne East, noon (conference match)
Riverton at Natrona County, noon (conference match)
Rock Springs at Star Valley, 1 p.m. (conference match)
CLASS 3A
Pinedale at Rawlins, 11 a.m.
#1 Cody at #5 Mountain View, noon (conference match)
Powell at Lyman, noon (conference match)
Torrington at #3 Buffalo, 2 p.m. (conference match)
#4 Worland at Douglas, 2 p.m. (conference match)
Final Score: Rawlins 1 Newcastle 0 (conference match) – forfeit win for the Outlaws.
Cheyenne Central vs. Cheyenne East HS Softball 2026
The Indians faced the rival Thunderbirds on April 15, 2026
Gallery Credit: David Settle, WyoPreps.com
James Forest Mothersbaugh Jr.: 1953 – 2025
James “Jim” Forest Mothersbaugh Jr. passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Central Wyoming Hospice in Casper, Wyoming, from complications of Multiple System Atrophy. He is survived by his wife, Becky Mothersbaugh; his sons, James Forest Mothersbaugh III and Blair Mothersbaugh; and Blair’s fiancée, Kelsey Baron.
Jim’s life was defined by music. He was a highly accomplished violinist, performing with the Orquesta Sinfonica de Puerto Rico, Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, and Savannah Symphony, among many others. He held degrees in violin performance, music education, and conducting from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, with additional doctoral studies at the University of Iowa. He met his wife when they were both performing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and passed his musical acumen to both of his sons. Jim taught orchestra and music theory to generations of students of all ages & abilities during his 28 years in the Natrona County School District. He conducted award-winning orchestras, taught students who went on to become professional musicians, and instilled a sense of purpose, character, and belief in both his students and colleagues that extended far beyond the stage. He was also an expert in the craft of re-hairing bows for string instruments, knew everything there is to know about The Beatles, and possessed a rare ability called synesthesia, which allowed him to see specific colors when hearing music. He leaves an extensive, enduring, and active legacy in the Wyoming musical community.
Jim will be immensely missed by his family, his friends, his colleagues, and his students. A celebration of life will take place at Backwards Distilling Company in Casper, Wyoming on June 28, 2026 from 2 to 5 p.m. Please RSVP at https://jimsmemorial.rsvpify.com/.
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