CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 27, 2026 – The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation facilitates 12 Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives throughout the state. These Collaboratives bring together local community members, recreation stakeholders, businesses, conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and elected officials to identify and prioritize grassroots opportunities to grow and enhance outdoor recreation in Wyoming.

Members of the public are welcome to attend these meetings via Google Meet, with some meetings also offering in-person attendance. Near the end of each meeting, a designated time will be allocated for public comments. 

Dates, times, and call-in information for upcoming Collaborative meetings are as follows:

The Cloud Peak Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (CPORC), representing Sheridan and Johnson Counties, will meet on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Sheridan College Broadway Center, located at 243 Broadway St, Sheridan, WY 82801. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/civ-vtoj-dju or dial in: ‪(US) +1 614-948-6267‬, PIN: ‪834 487 570‬#.

The High Plains Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (HPORC), representing Platte, Goshen, Niobrara, and Laramie Counties, will meet on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Laramie County Library, located at 2200 Pioneer Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/dnh-wryf-ecv or dial in: ‪(US) +1 763-317-6350,‬ PIN: ‪420 445 879‬#.

The Sweetwater County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (SCORC), representing Sweetwater County, will meet on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at Western Wyoming Community College, Room 211, located at 1 College Way, Green River, WY 82935. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/vqc-kvtr-uoh or dial in: ‪(US) +1 732-800-6749,‬ PIN: ‪603 412 337‬#.

The Lincoln & Uinta County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (LUORC), representing Lincoln and Uinta Counties, will meet on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Lincoln County Library, located at 519 Emerald St, Kemmerer, WY 83101. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/jyr-bqbm-fcv or dial in: ‪(US) +1 347-509-7342‬, PIN: ‪350 806 567‬#.

The Park County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (PCORC), representing Park County, will meet on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at Northwest College, located at 231 W 6th St, Powell, WY 82435. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/vfr-sgjd-vou or dial in: ‪(US) +1 304-402-6319,‬ PIN: ‪684 179 131‬#.

The Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (BBORC), representing Hot Springs, Washakie, and Big Horn Counties, will meet on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Worland Community Center, located at 1200 Culbertson Ave, Worland, WY 82401. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/psg-ganv-yvi or dial in: ‪(US) +1 513-666-2949,‬ PIN: ‪833 083 256‬#.

The Teton County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (TCORC), representing Teton County, will meet on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Teton Public Library, located at 125 Virginian Lane, Jackson, WY 83001. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/qqq-askz-atm or dial in: ‪(US) +1 508-779-6069,‬ PIN: ‪260 317 530‬#.

The Northeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NEWORC), representing Crook, Weston, and Campbell Counties, will be meeting virtually on Monday, May 4, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the George Amos Memorial Building (GAMB), located at 412 S. Gillette Ave. Gillette, WY 82716. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/bze-esxb-xfb or dial in: ‪(US) +1 609-447-1426,‬ PIN: ‪589 683 161‬#.

The Natrona/Converse Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (NCORC), representing Natrona and Converse Counties, will be meeting virtually on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the First Northern Bank, located at 800 S 4th St, Douglas, WY 82633. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/nif-ttqg-wvr  or dial in: ‪(US) +1 785-414-8049,‬ PIN: ‪393 386 323‬#.

The Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (SWORC), representing Albany and Carbon Counties, will be meeting virtually on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Wyoming Territorial Prison Horse Barn, located at 975 Snowy Range Rd, Laramie, WY 82070. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/rfi-zcti-eig or dial in:  ‪(US) +1 631-769-5323‬, PIN: ‪188 029 494‬#.

The Mountain Men Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (MMORC), representing Sublette County, will be meeting virtually on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Sublette County Weed and Pest building, located at 12 S Bench Rd, Pinedale, WY 82941. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/bxs-cagv-pxx or dial in: ‪(US) +1 346-702-4062‬, PIN: ‪141 399 006‬#.

The Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (WRORC), representing Fremont County, will be meeting virtually on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (MDT) at the Alpine Science Institute of Central Wyoming College, located at 44 Central Wyoming College Way, Lander, WY 82520. Join virtually through a video call: http://meet.google.com/gny-gozk-qgb or dial in: ‪(US) +1 470-485-9806,‬ PIN: ‪439 900 926‬#.

The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation champions responsible outdoor recreation to improve communities and diversify Wyoming’s economy.

Learn more about the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation Collaboratives by visiting wyorec.com.

To stay informed about the latest developments and ongoing work of these Collaboratives, subscribe to the monthly newsletter, The Collaborative Connection.

Contact: Amy Crawford, (307) 777-6925; http://This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 26, 2026 –  The Wyoming Arts Council hosted the annual Poetry Out Loud State Finals Competition on Monday, March 2, at The Lincoln in Cheyenne. Dovelynn Martinson, a senior from Buffalo High School, was named Wyoming’s 2026 Poetry Out Loud state champion and will represent Wyoming at the national finals in Washington, D.C., in April.

Daniela Garcia Madrid of Worland High School placed second in the competition, followed by Nyah Herrera of Cheyenne East High School in third place.

The state champion receives a $200 prize and a $500 stipend for their school to purchase poetry books. This year’s panel of judges included Wyoming poets Chad Hanson, David Romtvedt, Catherine Reeves, and Wyoming Poet Laureate Barbara Smith.

Poetry Out Loud encourages students to learn about poetry through memorization and recitation. Developed by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, the program is a free national contest for students in grades 9–12 attending public, private, or home schools. Schools and local community organizations host their own competitions, with winners advancing to the state contests before competing at the national finals.

In addition to the Poetry Out Loud competition, the fourth annual Poetry Ourselves Competition was held Sunday, March 1, at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne. Poetry Ourselves provides a platform for students to write and recite their own original poetry.

Winners of the 2026 Poetry Ourselves Original Written Word category were:

• First place – Aubrey Lemon (Buffalo High School), “The Park Bench: Keeper of Stories”
• Second place – Nyah Herrera (Cheyenne East High School), “There is a Forest”
• Third place – Zoey Mellor (Cheyenne East High School), “Foampools”
• Winners of the 2026 Poetry Ourselves Spoken Word category were:

Tie for first place – Josalyn Anderson (Moorcroft Secondary School), “The End of a Mourning,” and Kaylee Ann Caturia (Buffalo High School), “The Definition of Time”

• Second place – Daylynn Schutt (Moorcroft High School), “The Flower of Society”
• For more information, contact Ismael Dominguez, programs specialist with the Wyoming Arts Council, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit wyomingartscouncil.org.

Figure 1: Dovelynn Martinson of Buffalo High School, Wyoming’s 2026 Poetry Out Loud state champion.

Contact: Ismael Dominguez, (307) 275-4476; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 25, 2026 – Science gets an after-hours twist this spring at the Wyoming State Museum with S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics) Night. 

On Saturday, April 18, from 5:30–8:30 p.m., the State Museum will transform into an interactive, adults-only space for hands-on experiments, immersive technology, and live demonstrations designed specifically for guests ages 21 and older. This limited-capacity evening event offers a chance to explore science in a lively, social setting—without the daytime crowds.

Throughout the evening, participants will be able to step aboard the International Space Station through immersive virtual reality headsets, explore a mobile science lab featuring hands-on experiments, design and launch their own paper rockets, and experience live chemistry demonstrations and interactive experiments. 

Tickets are $20 per person. Guests must be 21 or older to attend, and valid identification will be checked at the door. Advance registration is required; space is limited and expected to fill quickly. Learn more and register by visiting Bit.ly/RegisterSTEAM. 

This event is presented in partnership by Blue Raven Brewery, Blue Stem Winehouse, the Cheyenne Arts Center, the Children’s Museum of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College, the University of Wyoming Department of Chemistry, and the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium Science Kitchen.

The Wyoming State Museum, a program of the Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources, invites visitors of all ages to discover Wyoming’s history from prehistoric to present. Established in 1895, the Museum collects, preserves, and interprets objects spanning history, art, anthropology, and natural history, bringing the state’s stories to life through engaging exhibitions and educational programs. Admission is free year-round, and the Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

For more information about the State Museum or upcoming events, visit wyomuseum.wyo.gov. 

Figure 1: S.T.E.A.M. Night graphic. 

Contact: Stefanie Kowalczyk, (307) 630-2573; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

FORT WASHAKIE, Wyo. – March 6, 2026 – The Wyoming Arts Council will host two free grant information sessions for artists and community members on March 27 and 28 in the conference room of the Frank Wise Building, 3 Ethete Road, in Fort Washakie.

The sessions will take place on Friday, March 27, from 3 to 5 p.m., and Saturday, March 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. The events are presented in collaboration with the Northern Arapaho Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Wind River Development Fund, and the Wind River Community Alliance.

Wyoming Arts Council staff will provide information about agency programs and services, including the Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grant and the Professional Development /Career Advancement Grant. Staff will also offer guidance on eligibility, provide hands-on assistance with applications, and share insight into what grant reviewers look for in submitted materials.

“These sessions are a great opportunity for artists and community members to learn how the Wyoming Arts Council can support their creative goals,” said Kimberly Mittelstadt, creative arts specialist for the Wyoming Arts Council. “We want artists at every stage, from emerging to established, to feel confident navigating the grant process and to know that staff and resources are available to support their work in Wyoming.”

The Folk & Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grant provides $5,000 to support master artists as they pass on traditional knowledge and skills to apprentices through in-person, hands-on instruction. The Professional Development and Career Advancement Grant offers $1,000 to help individual artists build capacity and advance their careers.

For more information, contact Kimberly Mittelstadt, creative arts specialist, at (307) 274-6673 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Josh Chrysler, folklorist and health and wellness specialist, at (307) 256-2010 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Figure 1: Cherokee Brown, left, and Shine Tidzump stand with a star quilt created through a Wyoming Arts Council Folk and Traditional Arts Mentoring Project Grant. Brown received the mentoring grant to teach traditional star quilt making, supporting the continuation of cultural knowledge through hands-on instruction.

Figure 2: Poster promoting free Wyoming Arts Council artist grant information sessions, March 27–28, at the Frank B. Wise Building in Fort Washakie.

Contact: Kimberly Mittelstadt, (307) 274-6673; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 5, 2026 – Governor Mark Gordon and the Wyoming State Museum recognized 53 Wyoming artists at the 2026 Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition awards reception on Thursday, Feb. 26. Three artists were presented with awards, each accompanied by a cash prize:

• Lynn Jones of Laramie received the Governor’s Choice Award for her piece, “The Snowy Range.”
• Georgia Rowswell of Cheyenne received the Juror’s Choice Award for her piece, “Where the Buffalo Roam Again.”
• Alexandra Hansen of Aladdin received the People’s Choice Award for her piece, “Walk the Line.”

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

• James Overstreet of Cheyenne, for his piece titled “Yellowstone Pool”
• Catherine Barnes of Cheyenne, for her piece titled “April, May and June” 
• Ella Bishop-Heil of Alcova, for her piece titled “Portrait of Two Horses” 
• Steve Knox of Cheyenne, for his piece titled “Lookin' for 2”

This year’s exhibit is featured as part of Wyoming's tribute to America's 250th anniversary. Artists were encouraged to submit entries that celebrate Wyoming’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant communities, and the people who call our great state home. The exhibit showcases 62 works chosen from 383 entries submitted by 152 Wyoming artists. The selections were made by guest juror Kate Hlavin, Curator of the Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale in Denver, Colorado.

Hlavin, in her remarks during the reception, shared that "reviewing the submissions for this exhibition was a privilege. The level of creativity represented was impressive, and the range of interpretations—from land and wildlife to people and community—was fascinating to experience.” She noted that each artist brought “a unique reason for loving Wyoming, and that individuality was evident in every submission. The works I selected resonated with me as thoughtful, compelling, and beautiful reflections of this place."

The Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition was established in 2000 under an initiative by Governor Geringer and is organized by the Wyoming State Museum and the Wyoming Arts Council. The exhibition is the primary avenue for the state museum to acquire contemporary Wyoming art for its Capitol and permanent collections. In addition to the works selected for Purchase Awards and added to the Capitol Art Collection, the museum purchases additional works from the exhibition for its permanent collection, serving as a record of artists working in Wyoming today.

The Governor’s Capitol Art Exhibition will be on display until Aug. 8 in the Capitol Gallery. The Capitol is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Works in the exhibition can also be viewed and purchased at bit.ly/4qwN3x1. 

Figure 1: Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon with Lynn Jones, recipient of the 2026 Governor’s Choice Award.

Figure 2: Juror Kate Hlavin and Georgia Rowswell, recipient of the 2026 Juror’s Choice Award.

Figure 3: Governor Mark Gordon and State Parks and Cultural Resources Director Dave Glenn with Alexandra Hansen, recipient of the 2026 People’s Choice Award.

Contact: Nathan Doerr, (307) 823-2935; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – March 3, 2026 – The Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Monuments and Markers Advisory Committee will meet virtually on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

The virtual meeting details can be found below: 

Video call link: meet.google.com/ogd-dbhq-bxe

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 209-920-9976‬ PIN: ‪528 713 599‬#

This meeting’s purpose is to review ongoing projects, provide updates on new interpretive signage, discuss enhancements to the statewide database, and explore new sign opportunities, while celebrating recent program successes.

Recent accomplishments include installing an American Mountain Men sign at the South Pass rest area near Lander, which highlights the historic use of the pass by Indigenous peoples, trappers, and emigrants on the California, Oregon, and Mormon Pioneer Trails. The program also celebrated the installation of the Crowheart Butte informational sign near Dubois, which shares Eastern Shoshone oral history about Chief Washakie and the mid-1800s Shoshone-Crow conflict, and recognizes Washakie’s leadership in guiding his people through a time of significant change.

The Monuments and Markers Program is a cooperative effort among the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR), the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT), Wyoming Tribes, local governments, and private partners. The program installs new historical markers and maintains existing monuments, markers, and interpretive signage across the state.

Learn more about this program at wyoparks.wyo.gov.

Figure 1: Community members attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Crowheart Butte informational sign in February 2026. 

Contact: Savannah Graham, (307) 777-6314; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Feb. 26, 2026 – The Wyoming State Archives is proud to announce the next installment of its monthly Speaker Series, featuring noted historian and firearms expert Evan Green. On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., Green will present "Branding Irons," a captivating exploration of the tools that defined the American West and shaped Wyoming’s cattle industry.

Branding irons are more than just tools of the trade; they are iconic symbols of ownership, heritage, and the economic foundation of the frontier. Green will delve into the cultural and historical significance of these marks, offering attendees a closer look at how they helped forge Wyoming’s unique identity.

About the Speaker

Evan Green serves as the firearms historian at the Wyoming State Museum and has been a dedicated volunteer with the institution since 2015. Raised on a family ranch in eastern Colorado, Green developed a lifelong connection to the tools and traditions of the West.

His extensive background includes:

• Curatorial Work: Guest curator for the Wyoming State Museum’s firearms exhibits and lead researcher for the inventory of the Museum’s collection of over 400 firearms.
• Digital Education: Host of more than 75 "Firearms Friday" videos on the Wyoming State Museum’s YouTube channel.
• Community Leadership: Member of the Wyoming State Historical Society, Winchester Arms Collectors, and Colt Collectors Association, as well as a volunteer with the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office.

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.

• When: Thursday, March 12, 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: www.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. - Feb. 25, 2026 — On behalf of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund (ORTTF) Board, the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation is proud to announce the official launch of the 2026 ORTTF Grant, a new funding initiative designed to support the planning, development, improvement, and maintenance of outdoor recreation infrastructure across the state through a competitive grant program.

Starting today, Feb. 25, 2026, eligible applicants are invited to submit applications for projects that promote, preserve, and enhance Wyoming's outdoor recreation and tourism infrastructure and its people for current and future generations. All applications must be submitted through email by 5:00 p.m. on April 11, 2026.

“Outdoor recreation is central to Wyoming’s economy and identity. For years, innovative community ideas have outpaced available resources, and today we’re excited to see that gap closing,” said Brynn Hirschman, grant coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “This investment reflects our state’s commitment to supporting local innovation and strengthening the health, economy, and natural beauty of Wyoming for generations to come.”

The grant is open to governmental entities, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, or a cooperative tribal governing body, and non-profit organizations. Ineligible applicants include private individuals and for-profit entities. 

For full guidelines, the application form, and more information, please visit wyorec.info/ORTTF or contact the Grant Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (307) 701-5011.

Contacts: 

Mark Tesoro, (307) 679-6316; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Brynn Hirschman, (307) 701-5011; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.