Multifund Grantmaking from WYCF Sublette Local Board
Upper Green River Sustainable Communities Endowment Fund and Working for Wyoming Endowment Fund
For college students, internships are a common stop along their education journey. The Friends of the Bridger-Teton internship program aims to be a little different. Founded in 2019, Friends of the Bridger-Teton (FBT) is a nonprofit organization that inspires connection, stewardship, and responsible use of the vast and diverse public lands of the Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF).
The BTNF has a massive geographic footprint, and with ongoing reductions in federal government staffing, there are many gaps in communication and hands-on services. The internship program started in the summer of 2025 with the goal of increasing the impact and capacity of FBT.
These paid interns choose their fields of interest to shape their experience, using university skills in a real-life setting. Interns work with BTNF staff and other local nonprofits to carry out maintenance, community outreach, and partnership building.
Thanks to your support, the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF) can support the work of FBT and their internship program through multifund grantmaking.
Each year, two students are selected through a competitive and personal application process, open to students from all universities and majors. In addition to their wages, these students are provided housing in Pinedale from June to mid-August, financial support for food and mileage, and an office in which to work.
No two weeks are the same during this program. “I think the more experiences I can provide for them in a safe way, a guiding way, the better,” said FBT Partnership Manager, Jennifer Ricupero.
“They learn to lead, follow, pivot, and delegate.”
From tabling events to trail work and digital media to grant writing, these interns do it all. While juggling those responsibilities, interns also manage a major project. The 2026 interns Parker Romero and Mady Fowler each chose an area of focus that interested them.
Parker created a fundraising initiative called “Grounds for Good,” in partnership with a local coffee shop. They created a special drink, and for every drink sold, $2 was donated to support FBT. Mady focused on a Hiking Map Project with the Sublette County Visitor Center, helping visitors navigate BTNF trailheads in the area.
“The Friends of the Bridger-Teton internship program has benefited the entire region over the last two years.”
“These interns have allowed a small nonprofit to expand their reach much farther than their regular staff can accommodate and have made a positive impact in our local communities.”
