CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 13, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council is now accepting applications for the 2026–27 Wyoming Youth Arts Council cohort, a statewide leadership program for high school students interested in the arts, community engagement, and creative careers.

Open to Wyoming high school students ages 15–19, the Wyoming Youth Arts Council brings together young people from across the state to explore leadership through the arts. Participants engage in conversations about arts access, education, and advocacy while building skills in communication, collaboration, and creative problem-solving.

Over nine months, members will explore careers in the creative sector, develop leadership and communication skills, and gain insight into the creative economy, arts policy, and public funding. Participants also take part in workshops on community development, advocacy, grant writing, and arts programming, culminating in a youth-led creative project that connects their interests and skills.

“Programs like this matter because they help young people connect with others, advocate for themselves, and build leadership skills that shape their future,” said Sydney Stephan, a current member of the Wyoming Youth Arts Council and senior at Kelly Walsh High School.

Participants meet regularly throughout the program term, primarily virtually, with select in-person opportunities. Council members receive a stipend in recognition of their time and contributions. The 2026–27 cohort will begin in September.

Students, educators, and community members are encouraged to apply or nominate a student for the program. Applications are open from April 13 through August 10, 2026, and may be submitted through Submittable at /wyomingartscouncil.submittable.com/submit. Nominations must be submitted by August 6, 2026.

For more information, contact Amara Fehring, community development and arts learning specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at 307-630-3918 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Additional information is available at wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: Avenlee Downey and Fern Birdsbill, members of the Wyoming Youth Arts Council, participate in Arts and Culture Day at the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne in February 2026.

Contact: Amara Fehring, (307) 630-3918; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — April 10, 2026 — Wyoming’s Recreation Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, April 20, 2026. As required by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, the Recreation Advisory Committee (REACT) represents the State of Wyoming in proposals to change recreation fees on federal public lands and waters across the state. 

REACT is composed of representatives from the following state and federal agencies: Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Department of Transportation, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments, Wyoming Office of Tourism, and Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.

The upcoming meeting date, time, location, and call-in information are as follows:

Date: Monday, April 20, 2026

Time: 9 -10:30 a.m.

Location: In-person at the Wyoming State Museum (2301 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001) or Online 

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/vrf-rrwa-tmg or dial: ‪(US) +1 470-705-4547‬ PIN: ‪790 813 327‬#

Members of the public are welcome to attend REACT meetings.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) was passed into law as part of the 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 108-447) on December 8, 2004. The REA authorizes the USDA Forest Service and four Department of the Interior agencies - Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, and Fish and Wildlife Service - to retain recreation fee revenues to supplement appropriations and other funding sources to repair, improve, operate, and maintain recreation sites and areas to quality standards (including elimination of recreation deferred maintenance), and to enhance the delivery of recreation services to quality standards.

Learn more about REACT and/or review upcoming meeting agendas, past meeting summaries, presentations, and more at wyorec.com.

Contact: Mark Tesoro, (307) 679-2057; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 10, 2026 – The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation invites Wyoming-based businesses and organizations to exhibit on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the fourth annual Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Recreation Expo, a dedicated celebration of homegrown brands and leaders in the firearms and outdoor recreation industries.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at David Street Station. Attendance is free for both vendors and the public. 

Vendors will receive a 10’ x 10’ space along with a canopy tent at no cost, providing a turnkey setup in a high-traffic environment. This is an excellent opportunity to connect with hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts throughout the day while also building relationships with fellow industry professionals and brands. Eligible vendors are encouraged to confirm their eligibility and register at wyorec.info/ExpoVendorRegistration_2026.

The Expo is held in conjunction with the Wyoming Governor's Match, an annual event hosted by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and local partners. It showcases Wyoming’s firearms and outdoor recreation manufacturers and organizations to match participants and attendees, and immerse visitors in the host community. 

Booth spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close once all booth spaces are filled.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend, connect with on-site vendors, explore products, and watch live gear demonstrations. 

To stay up to date on the Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Recreation Expo, visit wyorec.info/WYFirearmsORECExpo.

Figure 1: Vendors at the Wyoming Firearms & Outdoor Recreation Expo at David Street Station in Casper, Wyoming. 

Contact: Frances Schaetz, (307) 388-8748; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 9, 2026 – Did you know that 73.1% of Wyoming’s cultural heritage institutions have cited cost as a barrier for them? Most of which have an operating budget under $249,999. That is why this month’s Quick Tips, presented by the Wyoming State Archives' Roving Archivist Program (RAP), will cover how to navigate the current federal and state grant landscape.

For this session, Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund’s Program Coordinator, Reneé Bovée, will cover tips and tricks for applying for grants and provide advice on viable opportunities for small museums and libraries.

Join us Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. MT via Google Meet at meet.google.com/bgr-reit-tkr or dial (US) +1 319-449-2718, PIN: 581 688 137#.

The Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund (WCTF) provides grant funding for engaging projects that promote Wyoming’s cultural heritage and culture. Bovée has been an instrumental tool in this program for more than twenty years with WCTF. With her background in arts management and previous experience with arts organizations, Bovée has broadened her connections to archeological and historical programs.

Attendees will learn and experience:

• Strategic Grant Navigation: Learn to cut through the noise of the federal and state landscape to find the right fit for your organization.
• Expert Guidance: Benefit from Reneé Bovée’s two decades of expertise in arts and heritage management to strengthen your next proposal.
• Explore Local Alternatives: Discover how the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund serves as a vital alternative to complex federal grants for state-based heritage projects.

For more information on this session, please visit rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/connect/quick-tips or contact Morgan Stence at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Supporting Wyoming's Cultural Heritage Mission

The Roving Archivist Program Quick Tips series reflects the State Historical Records Advisory Board's (SHRAB) ongoing commitment to providing accessible professional development for Wyoming's cultural heritage community. These sessions support institutions statewide in improving their preservation practices and collections care.

For more information about the Roving Archivist Program, visit rovingarchivist.wyo.gov/homeor email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

About Wyoming SHRAB

The Wyoming SHRAB promotes identification, preservation, and dissemination of the state's historical records by supporting training programs for state, tribal, and local governments, repositories, and organizations involved in records care throughout Wyoming. Grants are made available through Wyoming SHRAB by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and administered by the Wyoming State Archives (WSA), Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources.

For more information, please contact Wyoming State Archivist Sara Davis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the WSA at (307) 777-7826. You can also learn more about the Wyoming State Archives at wyoarchives.wyo.gov.

Contact: Morgan Stence, (307) 777-7550; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 7, 2026 – The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources is now accepting pre-applications for the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.  Since its inception, the program has funded more than 970 projects statewide, and in 2025, $1.5 million was awarded to various cities around the state. Pre-applications are due by May 15, 2026. 

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is an outdoor recreation grant created to preserve, develop, and ensure access to outdoor recreation for all. In Wyoming, the program is administered by Wyoming State Parks, a division of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. LWCF funding supports projects such as outdoor sports facilities, community swimming pools, and pathways, enriching outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the state.

The LWCF is a matching grant program based on a fifty percent (50%) reimbursement of the project's total cost. Only costs for the development and/or acquisition of public outdoor recreation lands and facilities are eligible for assistance. LWCF-funded project sites are maintained for public outdoor recreation for perpetuity. Final application deadline is November 30, 2026. 

Site inspections to determine project eligibility will occur in late summer/early fall, prior to the application date. Applicants are asked to participate in the site inspection so that projects can be thoroughly explained. Applicants must be municipalities, counties, school districts, or recreation districts.

If you are unsure about the application process or project eligibility, or have any questions, please contact the Wyoming State Parks recreation grant staff for more information and guidance on submitting an application.

Application materials and guidance are available online at wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/learn/recreation-grants.   

For additional information, please contact Grants Manager Louisa Lopez or Grants Specialist Maddisyn Fiorini at (307) 507-2767 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Contacts: Louisa Lopez or Maddisyn Fiorini, (307) 507-2767; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 7, 2026 – The Wyoming State Archives is pleased to announce the next installment of its monthly Speaker Series, featuring historian and anthropologist Todd Guenther. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., Guenther will present an in-depth exploration into the storied life and adventures of Captain Herman G. Nickerson, a pivotal figure in Wyoming’s journey toward statehood.

Captain Nickerson is recognized for his multifaceted leadership during Wyoming’s formative years. A decorated Civil War veteran, Nickerson transitioned from the battlefield to the frontier, serving as a probate judge, legislator, and gold miner. He was a primary architect of the state’s historical identity, serving as the first president of the Wyoming Oregon Trail Commission, where he worked tirelessly to map and preserve the pioneer routes that defined the American West.

Beyond his civic and military service, Nickerson’s writings provided the foundational historical account of Esther Hobart Morris and the famous "suffrage tea party." This narrative helped cement Wyoming’s enduring legacy as the "Equality State,” the first territory in the nation to grant women the right to vote.

About the Speaker

Todd Guenther is a professor emeritus in anthropology and history at Central Wyoming College. With more than four decades of experience, including his former role as director of the Pioneer Museum in Lander, Guenther has dedicated his career to uncovering the human stories of the High Plains. He holds a B.A. in Anthropology and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Wyoming.

The Speaker Series is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session following the presentation to further discuss Nickerson's impact on Wyoming history.

Event Details

The event is free and open to the public. Participation is available both in person and online, with a live Q&A session following the presentation.

• What: Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series
• When: Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
• In-Person Location: Wyoming State Museum classroom, 2301 Central Avenue, Cheyenne.
• Virtual Attendance: Registration is required for virtual access. Please visit: eventbrite.com/o/wyoming-state-archives-49902991693.

About the Wyoming State Archives

The Wyoming State Archives Speaker Series takes place on the second Thursday of each month, highlighting the state's diverse history. The Archives collects and preserves public and non-government records that document the activities of Wyoming’s government and the rich heritage of its people.

The Wyoming State Archives is fully accessible in accordance with ADA guidelines. For more information or to request special assistance, please contact Sara Davis, Wyoming State Archivist.

Contact: Sara Davis, (307) 777-7826; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 6, 2026 – Wyoming State Parks is currently accepting sealed bids for the operation of camp stores/food service concessions at Curt Gowdy State Park for the upcoming seasons. Interested parties are encouraged to participate in the bidding process.

Sealed bids are being requested from individuals, businesses, or partnerships to provide temporary concession facilities at Curt Gowdy State Park for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. The concessions will offer food, beverages, and general camping and fishing supplies.

Bids will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 

Bid packets are available upon request. Interested parties can obtain bid packets by calling (307) 777-3680 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This is a unique opportunity to engage with park visitors and enhance their outdoor experiences while supporting local business initiatives within Wyoming’s cherished natural spaces.

For more information, please contact Contract Specialist Dalena Phipps at (307) 777-3680 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Learn more about Wyoming State Parks at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Contact: Dalena Phipps, (307) 777-3680; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MOORCROFT, Wyo. – April 3, 2026 - The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources will host a public forum to update the public and gather feedback on a proposed visitor center in the Coulter Bay Area at Keyhole State Park.

The proposed Coulter Bay Visitor Center aims to enhance recreation and education opportunities at Keyhole State Park by providing improved visitor services, interpretive exhibits, and a community gathering space for local small groups, and to be a launch point for recreation at Keyhole State Park.  

“We don’t anticipate a new Visitor Center placing strain on existing routes and resources, but we do see it having a very positive impact on existing visitor services in that area of Keyhole State Park,” said Misty Moore, district manager for Wyoming State Parks. “We hear what our users and neighbors are saying there, and want to reach consensus on the best options.”

This forum follows up on a January meeting at the Pine Haven Community Center, where preliminary concepts and planning information were presented. Wyoming State Parks has revised its vision for Coulter Bay in response to public feedback. The event will again invite conversation to guide next steps in the project development process and give park users and residents an opportunity to learn more about how the new facility will support visitor experiences and natural resource education at Keyhole.

The public meeting will be held:

Date: Apr. 14, 2026

Time: 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Location: Pine Haven Community Center, 3 Industrial Park, Pine Haven, WY 82721

“We are looking forward to presenting a revised concept for the Coulter Bay Visitor Center at Keyhole State Park,” said Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. “We value the input of our visitors and partners, including the Bureau of Reclamation, as we craft plans for enriching experiences at the park.”

Those unable to attend in person can review the presentation materials and submit feedback via an online public comment form at Bit.ly/PublicCommentKSP following the meeting.

For more information, visit WyoParks.Wyo.Gov/Keyhole or contact Carly-Ann Carruthers, planning manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Misty Moore, district manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Figure 1: Coulter Bay Area at Keyhole State Park. 

Contacts: 

Carly-Ann Carruthers, (307) 777-6968; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Misty Moore, (307) 620-0331; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – April 2, 2026 – Registration is now open for the Cultural Heritage Institute, a new professional development event hosted by the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR). The one-day, in-person institute will take place Sept. 17, 2026, in Cheyenne and is designed to equip cultural heritage employees, historic site and museum staff, and volunteers with practical skills in preservation and collections care.

Hosted in partnership with the Laramie County Library System, the Institute will bring together emerging and experienced professionals, as well as dedicated volunteers, working in Wyoming’s cultural fields to share ideas, exchange knowledge, and build lasting connections. The event will feature sessions, discussions, and networking opportunities centered on preserving and promoting the state’s shared history, arts, and culture.

“This Institute is an opportunity to invest in the people who care for Wyoming’s history and culture,” said Sara Davis of the Wyoming State Archives. “By bringing people together to share knowledge, learn from one another, and build lasting connections, we’re strengthening the collaboration needed to preserve and promote Wyoming’s cultural heritage for generations to come.”

The Cultural Heritage Institute will offer a foundation in core practices across museums, archives, historic sites, and arts programs. The event will emphasize practical learning, professional growth, and opportunities to connect with mentors and peers across Wyoming’s cultural community. Participants will learn how cultural collections and programs are cared for, interpreted, and shared within the state’s vibrant cultural network.

This initiative is made possible through funding from State Parks and Cultural Resources’ Spark Tank Program, an internal fund that supports SPCR staff in developing and testing innovative ideas to advance the department’s mission. The event is being organized collaboratively by SPCR programs, including the Arts Council, State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, State Museum, State Parks, and Historic Sites.

Attendance will be free, with registration required and limited to 50 participants. Register at Bit.ly/WyoCulturalHeritageInstitute-Register. 

The event will be held at the Laramie County Library located at 2200 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001. 

For future updates, please visit Bit.ly/WyoCulturalHeritageInstitute or follow SPCR programs on social media by using #WyoCulturalHertitageInstitute2026.

Contact: Sara Davis, (307) 777-7826; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.