The Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Monuments and Markers Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Google Meet Tuesday, March 5, from 1 – 3 pm. 

Time zone: America/Denver

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/mar-egmt-ssz

Or dial: (US) +1 573-559-1893 PIN: 350 854 825#

The objective of this meeting is to revisit prior matters, select new members for the advisory committee, and review ongoing projects. The advisory committee will review handbook edits and four new interpretive signs slated to be erected in the Riverton area. Themes include the western expansion, agriculture, boom and bust, expansion period, and communal growth. Additionally, the advisory committee will review text intended for the forthcoming Rawhide Butte sign.

The Wyoming Monuments and Markers Program is a cooperative effort of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the Wyoming Department of Transportation, the Wyoming Office of Tourism, Tribal representatives, local governments, and private individuals and organizations. The Monuments and Markers Program installs new historical markers and maintains existing monuments, markers, and interpretive signage. The Monuments and Markers Advisory Committee (MMAC) reviews and approves all new signage and signage with revised text under the jurisdiction of SPCR. The MMAC may also be consulted for recommendations for the maintenance and replacement of markers.

For further information, please contact Dan Bach, Monuments and Markers Coordinator, at 307-777-6314 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  To learn more about the Wyoming Monuments and Markers Program, visit https://bit.ly/3E1xV2V.

The Wyoming Arts Council is now accepting Community Support Grant applications. The deadline to apply is March 29 at 11:59 p.m. MST.

The Community Support Grant is a competitive grant program for operating and/or project support for qualified organizations that provide services to their community through the arts. Applicants may also apply for funding for arts learning activities.

Grant funding is available for programs and services that take place between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

An organization is eligible to receive up to $10,000 in operating and/or project support and up to $5,000 in arts learning support for a total of up to $15,000 in grant funding.

The Community Support Grant application is available on the online grant system and can be found at www.wyomingartscouncil.orgunder the “Grants” tab. New applicants will need to create a new user account.

Organizations receiving grant funds from the Wyoming Arts Council will need a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) from SAM.gov. This has replaced the DUNS number previously used. Getting a UEI is free. More information on the UEI process can be found on the Wyoming Arts Council website or SAM.gov.

Arts Council staff would be happy to speak with any organization before the deadline about specific questions they may have about the grant. For questions about the content of an application or eligible projects, contact Community Development and Arts Learning Specialist Amara Fehring at 307-630-3918 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For other questions, contact Grants and Administration Manager Cashmere Balland at 307-214-7819 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A complete list of requirements, eligibility, and additional guidelines can be found on the Wyoming Arts Council website at www.wyomingartscouncil.org under the “Grants” tab.   

Caption: Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming Arts Council Community Support Grant logos 

Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming State Museum recognized Wyoming artists at the Governor’s Capitol Arts Exhibition Reception on Friday, February 16. Three artists were presented with awards, each accompanied by a cash prize.

Denise Hawkins of Cheyenne received the Governor’s Choice Award for the piece “Sunset Calm.”

Alistair Dunnington of Laramie received the Juror’s Choice Award for the piece “Untitled.”

Richard Burke of Douglas received the Juror’s Choice Award for the piece “Numinous.” 

Eight works were also selected for the Capitol Art Collection Purchase Awards through votes cast by agencies and officials participating in the Capitol Art Program. These works will be displayed in public offices of state agencies and elected officials. Artists receiving purchase awards are:

Elizabeth Thurow of Sheridan for the piece Lyric of Lupine

Denise Hawkins of Cheyenne for the piece Sunset Calm

Eileen Nistler of Upton for the piece Crimson to Violet II

Robert Martinez of Riverton for the piece Injustice

Ashley Quick of Laramie for the piece It's Now a Temple

Christine Meytras of Jackson for the piece Twirl

Lars Roeder of Laramie for the piece Tall Grass

Liz Baldwin of Laramie for the piece Solid Air

The exhibition will be on display through August 10 in the Wyoming State Capitol, which is open to the public Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Works in the show can also be viewed and purchased online at https://wyomingstatemuseum.square.site/shop/gcae-2024/7.

The meeting convenes at noon on February 22, and includes a departmental update and legislative report, and an update on the new state park reservation system. A report on the Land and Water Conservation Fund will also be heard.

The February 23, portion of the meeting begins at 9:15 a.m. and includes various Division of Cultural Resources updates. A discussion on the State Museum building project will also be heard. The meeting will conclude with a farewell to Dr. Dudley Gardner, who leaves the commission after 20 years of service.

The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Commission has advisory responsibility for the agency which involves the planning, acquisition, development, and management of all State Parks, the State Trails Program, State Recreation Areas, State Historic Sites and Archaeology sites, and the Outdoor Recreation Office. The Commission also advises the Wyoming State Museum, Wyoming Arts Council, the official State Records Center and Archives, the Office of the State Archaeologist, historical research activities, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the Cultural Trust Fund.

Members of the Commission are President Robert Tyrrell, DDS, Star Valley Ranch; Vice-President Sue Peters, Riverton; Julie Greer, Sheridan; Dudley Gardner, Ph.D., Rock Springs; Barbara Anne Greene, Basin; Leslie Stewart, Lusk; Ken McCann, Cheyenne; Angela Emery, Casper; and David Bassett, Evanston. 

For more information please contact Tatum Soto at 307-777-7496 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources announces a call for artists to apply for the 2024 Artist in Residence Program.

This program joins visual artists with the wonder and unexpected opportunities in Wyoming State Parks. This is a 10-day road trip residency in August 2024 where artists will have a choice of itinerary that includes visiting a minimum of four State Parks to be inspired by the beauty of the state. 

The Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist in Residence program is open to visual artists. Both established and emerging artists are welcome to apply.

The selected artist will receive a $3500 stipend and waived camping and day-use fees. Camping is required, no gear will be provided although cabins, yurts, and/or dorm housing will be offered. The selected artist must have their own vehicle and must be a year-round resident of Wyoming and at least 18 years of age.

Selected artists will be required to document the residency through blog and social media posts. Artists must create a minimum of 10 pieces inspired by their experience for the Artist in Residence Show and Sale, hosted at the Wyoming State Museum, November - January.

This is a joint program through Wyoming State Parks and the Wyoming Arts Council.

The deadline to apply is Monday, April 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Applications must be submitted online through https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=13093. 

Additional information can be found on the State Parks https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/news-events/artist-in-residency. Complete eligibility requirements can be found on https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=13093.

For more information, contact Kimberly Mittelstadt, Creative Arts Specialist at the Wyoming Arts Council, 307-274-6673 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Caption: 2023 Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources Artist in Residence, Bria Hammock, at Keyhole State Park. 

The Wyoming State Records Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Tuesday, February 20, via Google Meet.

Meeting ID:  meet.google.com/dhp-gidn-ksp

Those wishing to listen in can do so by calling:  ‪‪(US) +1 567-231-5199 PIN: ‪128 575 217#

The Wyoming State Records Committee reviews, and considers for approval, retention schedules of public records. The State Records Committee is the final authority in determining whether state, county and local government records are retained permanently or disposed of after a designated period. Committee members include representatives from the State Archives, Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Audit.

The meeting agenda includes retention requests for State and local agencies, and accession and deaccession requests involving a variety of archival materials.

If you require special assistance, please contact the Wyoming State Archives at 307-777-7826.

Experience a new version of a classic event by participating in the Bear River State Park Soapbox Sled Derby on February 17, beginning at 11 a.m. at the sledding hill at the park.

Embrace your creative side by designing a special sled that’s not only artistic but fast! Teams can range from solo to up to six riders. Competition categories will be decided based on number of entrants. Sign up now at https://wyoparks.info/BRSPSledDerby or on site.

Sleds (snow boxes) can be constructed using only cardboard, paper, soft plastic, paint tape or glue, with no metal or hard plastic including staples, nails, and tacks can be used.

Snow boxes can be no bigger than 6-foot by 4-foot with four sides a minimum of six inches tall. Participants must fit entirely inside the sled. Helmets are recommended.

Before racing, snow boxes will be inspected by a judge.

Racers are allowed to have two pushers to give them a helpful shove at the starting line, but then riders are on their own. Racers must stay in their snow box but can use arms, legs or other means to propel themselves across the finish line.

Prizes will be awarded for the fastest to the finish line, best crash, and best thematic.

Recently recognized by the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) for the eleventh time, the Wyoming Trails Program has long been established as providing some of the best non-motorized and motorized trails in the region.

For the avid snowmobile user, off-road vehicle enthusiast, mountain biker, hiker, and equestrian the Trails program’s efforts are evident, but for members of the general public, it may not be apparent the number of hours and labor put into providing such a lucrative and valued recreational opportunity.

According to CRT, the organization is an alliance of national and regional trail-related organizations across a broad spectrum of interests representing motorized and non-motorized communities. Its members work together to build awareness and understanding of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which returns federal gasoline taxes paid by off-highway recreationists to the states for trail development.

Tax monies are distributed using a 30% motorized, 30% non-motorized, and 40% diversified equation to split up the state's allocated funding. A process that is overseen by the Wyoming State Trails Advisory Council, a 10-member board appointed by the Governor's office to represent a variety of trail uses 

The Wyoming Trails program has previously been recognized by CRT in the categories of Communication and Education, Maintenance and Rehabilitation, Public and Private Partnerships, Environmental and Wildlife Compatibility, Multiple Use Management and Corridor Sharing, and this year for Construction and Design.

But what is it exactly that the Wyoming Trails Program does? Based in Lander, The Wyoming Trails Program maintains recreational trails statewide which is no easy task considering the Cowboy State ranks tenth in the nation in land mass at 97,813 square miles. Funding for these efforts is generated by snowmobile and ORV permits and federally by gasoline excise tax.

Due to the majority of the revenue being generated by motorized registration sales and fuel tax, the program is limited to solely the non-motorized portion of federal funding provided through RTP to fund non-motorized projects throughout the state, leaving a significant backlog in maintenance on non-motorized trails which expresses the need for other non-motorized funding mechanisms.  

Beginning December 1, a staff of 26 employees – 12 full-time and 16 seasonal employees – began preparing for the upcoming snowmobile season by clearing deadfall and placing 44,000 temporary markers along 2,585 miles of snowmobile trails statewide along with maintaining them throughout the 4-month season. Those markers are then removed by April 15.

During the season, Wyoming Trails utilizes 29 Snowcats to groom eight major snowmobile systems encompassing 2,585 miles of trails. Grooming occurs overnight and involves a strategically choreographed schedule so trails are consistently and effectively maintained to provide the best user experience possible. All told, during the season 59,130 miles are groomed through private grooming contracts, while 33,000 miles are groomed utilizing internally owned equipment and seasonally hired operators. Those trails are 95 percent on Federal land involving mostly U.S. Forest Service and some Bureau of Land Management public lands. Although there is always a lot of work to be done, the program is dependent on the weather each year.

According to Wyoming Trails Program Manager Forrest Kamminga, there’s no such thing as too much snow, but being a 100% user funded program, a low snow season is the worst possible scenario

“If there’s a low snow season, we’re not generating enough revenue to cover the expenses,” he said.

And that doesn’t mean just for his program but also for Trailside Lodges and others involved in the snowmobile outdoor recreation industry.

The Summer season usually begins no later than mid-June depending on spring weather and involves maintaining the existing 840 miles of trail and the construction of new motorized trails. These trails heavily rely on federal land managing agency partnerships as 95% of the off-road vehicle (ORV) trails are on federal lands. On-the-ground work is completed by private contractors or by the 9 permanent trail crew members along with 16 seasonal employees. 

A true pay-to-play endeavor, The Wyoming Trails Program generates approximately $4 million annually which, along with additional federal partnership match majority of the revenue generated goes to funding the agency’s operations. These funds are closely managed by the program's admin and grants staff through several internal grant funding mechanisms made available to federal, state, and local government land managing agencies, along with nonprofits that assist with several tasks including trail maintenance, signage, education, enforcement, and public safety outreach.

Every snowmobile permit generates $62.75 ($34 permit sales, $28.75 state fuel tax) with an average of 34,500 permits sold seasonally; and every ORV permit sold generates $32.50 ($14 permit sales, $18.50 state fuel tax.) with an average of 58,200 permits sold annually. 

Like Wyoming’s State Park and Historic Sites, the state trail system is a major contributor to the state’s Tourism and Outdoor Recreation industries. Both motorized and non-motorized trail enthusiasts can agree these trails provide great recreational opportunities in the Cowboy State.

The Wyoming Arts Council board will hold a quarterly meeting Thursday and Friday, Feb. 22 – 23, 2024 in the Big Horn Room at Little America in Cheyenne.

Beginning at 1 p.m. on Thursday, the board will convene to hear reports, plan for upcoming events, get updates on current Arts Council initiatives, and conduct business. 

The board invites individuals and organizational representatives to attend any part of the meeting to observe the board process.

The meeting continues from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Friday. The board will be available to hear public comments on Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Users may join the meeting by calling in using this number:(‪US) ‪+1 252-699-0131 and PIN: 259 858 506#‪ or join in person.  

The mission of the Wyoming Arts Council is to provide leadership and invest resources to champion, sustain, and cultivate community through the arts.

For a detailed agenda and more information, please contact the Wyoming Arts Council office at 307-777-7742.