Who We Are: Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Rooted in History, Driven by Mission, and Guided by a Dedicated Staff and Board
Over 30 Years of Protecting Wildlife
Founded in 1993, the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation has spent 30 years fostering a wildlife-friendly community by reducing human impacts and promoting a lasting land ethic. What began as a local effort to address wildlife safety, from highway collisions to migration barriers, has grown into a dedicated movement, driven by long-time volunteers and an unwavering commitment to removing obstacles for wildlife.
Our Mission
The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation advances wildlife conservation driven by science, collaboration, and a community of volunteers.
Our Vision
Conserve wildlife and its habitats through informed decisions around land use, development and changing climate.
Our Strategic Plan
High Level Goals:
- Healthy Wildlife Populations
- Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Intact Ecosystems and Large Landscape Connectivity
- Increased Community Awareness, Participation and Collaboration
Staff
Renee Seidler, Executive Director
Bio and Email
Renee is the Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. She brings a diverse set of experiences and education to this position. Her career in wildlife biology and conservation has primarily focused on wildlife’s ability to move across large landscapes through connected habitats and ecosystems, including multiple research projects in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She has developed her expertise in this area as a migration specialist and road ecologist working for the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Her past work has had additional emphases on meso and large carnivore ecology, biological trophic cascades, and the impact of natural gas field development on ungulates, which has permitted her to broaden her perspective on issues regarding wildlife-human interactions at a landscape scale. She believes that tackling conservation issues requires strong human relationships at many levels, including between individuals, organizations, agencies and businesses. Renee has always had a love of animals and decided to enter the field of wildlife ecology because she knew it would be the most fulfilling career, conserving the wild animals and habitats that she loves. She very much enjoys spending time outside with her dog, Stella.
Email: renee@jhwildlife.org
Alyssa Grelecki, LaBarge Restoration Landscape Specialist
Bio and Email
With a decade of experience in natural resources, Alyssa has dedicated her career to conserving and restoring diverse landscapes. Her journey began with native seed conservation, sparking a deep commitment to the field. Alyssa’s career took root in prairie restoration in the Midwest and has since flourished into her ongoing work restoring landscapes in the Western United States.
Alyssa has held key positions at the Chicago and Denver botanical gardens and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Ecosystem Restoration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, which provided a strong academic foundation for her practical expertise.
In her current role as the LaBarge Restoration Landscape Natural Resources Specialist, Alyssa collaborates with the BLM, Intermountain West Joint Venture, and Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. She is pivotal in advancing the conservation efforts of the LaBarge Restoration Landscape, a mission supported by the historic Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA allocates funds to the BLM to make significant, long-term investments to enhance the resilience of selected public lands. These efforts promise enduring benefits for both current and future generations, improving lives and livelihoods.
Alyssa operates out of the BLM Pinedale Field Office in Sublette County, Wyoming.
Email: alyssa@jhwildlife.org
Kate Gersh, Associate Director
Bio and Email
Kate joined the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation team in May 2016. Previously, she contributed her expertise to the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots program, promoting youth environmental and humanitarian education. Her journey also included fostering crucial partnerships with private foundations and corporations at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). Notably, she played a pivotal role in managing AWF’s large-scale grant under the United States Agency for International Development’s Sustainable Conservation Approaches in Priority Ecosystems program.
Transitioning to Jackson Hole, Kate served as the Associate Director at The Murie Center from 2012 to April 2016. Her academic credentials further underscore her dedication to conservation and sustainable development, holding a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from George Washington University’s School of Public Policy and Public Administration, alongside a Master of Tourism Administration, Sustainable Destination Management from George Washington University’s School of Business.
Kate’s commitment to conservation leadership extends beyond her professional roles, evident in her participation in the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders program. Here, she co-designed a conservation campaign, resulting in the creation of “Guidelines for Minimizing the Negative Impact to Bats and Other Cave Organisms from Guano Harvesting” Ver. 1.0 (12 March 2014), recognized by the IUCN SSC in 2014.
Email: Kate@jhwildlife.org
Jessie Walters, Program Coordinator - Nature Mapping
Bio and Email
Jessie grew up in northeastern Oklahoma, where she discovered her love of the natural world and penguins. She attended the University of Montana, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology. After graduating from college, Jessie found herself in Jackson Hole working for a scenic raft company as a scenic float driver. She then volunteered with SANCCOB in South Africa, where she completed her life goal of working with penguins. After leaving Jackson for one winter, Jessie returned and has since worked at the National Elk Refuge, Jackson Hole EcoTours, and the Teton Raptor Center. When not working, Jessie enjoys the beauty of nature with her family and helping out on their small farm.
Email: Jessie@jhwildlife.org
Ash Hillary, Development and Communications Manager
Bio and Email
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Cody Pitz, Program Coordinator - Habitat Restoration
Bio and Email
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Board of Directors
Gregg Servheen, Board Chair
Bio
Gregg grew up in Massachusetts where he began to understand the spell that wildlife had on him. Following a BS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Massachusetts and an MS in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Texas A&M University, Gregg moved west. Hired by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game in 1987, Gregg held positions as a research biologist, regional wildlife biologist, environmental staff biologist, and Wildlife Program Coordinator before retiring in 2019 after a fulfilling 34 year career. Gregg and his wife Alison live in Boise, Idaho. Interested in making the best use of his skills and expertise, Gregg continues to work for the conservation of wildlife. His areas of focus and expertise include mitigation, habitat protection, GIS decision support tools, wildlife connectivity and migration, and climate change. Gregg is Vice President of the Board of the Upper Henry’s Fork Wildlife Alliance, on the Advisory Board of Boise State Universities Resilience Modeling Project, a founding member of the Idaho Coalition of Land Trusts, and past President of the Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society. He spends as much time as he can hiking, birding, fishing, backpacking, hunting, and biking
Dan Bernstein, Member
Bio
Dan was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania nearby the Laurel Highlands. Dan enjoyed hiking, biking, camping in the summer and skiing in the winter. Upon graduating from Lehigh University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, Dan moved west to California to pursue a career in engineering, project management, and business management. Dan led a multidiscipline engineering firm for 20 years until his retirement in 2016. The engineering firm did projects throughout the US and also internationally. Dan also served in various roles on the Boards of a number of CA based non-profits. Dan and his wife Karen vacationed in Jackson Hole in 2013 and fell in love with the area. They were particularly drawn to the natural beauty, the many outdoor activities, and the friendly and welcoming nature of the local community. They became residents of Wilson in 2014. As well as being a Board member of JHWF, Dan volunteers at Grand Teton National Park in the winter as a ski ambassador and summer on the bike patrol. Dan is an avid downhill and cross-country skier and enjoys hiking, biking, and golf in the summer.
Mary Ellen Fausone, Vice Chair
Bio
A native of the Detroit area, Mary Ellen received a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology at the University of Notre Dame, then an MD at the University of Michigan. For over 30 years she lived in the Chicago area, raising three children with her husband Bill, and working as an obstetrician-gynecologist at Northwestern Hospital. An avid skier, she and her family skied all over the mountain west, but the Jackson bug bit hard in 2013, and she and Bill have had a home here since 2015. She became involved with JHWF in 2016 when she signed up for a fence pull project. In the years since she has become a Nature Mapper, Moose Day volunteer, and float trip bird counter. She is also active at Jackson Hole Food Rescue, and Teton County Health Department as a volunteer vaccinator. She tries to explore as many areas of the mountains and valley as she can. In between watching birds and wildlife she hikes, bikes, kayaks, and skis. She is happy to provide her time and energy to help devise and implement solutions that enable us, and the wildlife we all love, to live together and thrive.
Ashley Egan, Member
Bio
Coming soon!
Dale Naylor, Treasurer
Bio
Dale has been coming with her husband and family to the Jackson Hole valley since their sons were young. She and her husband transitioned to putting down ski roots in Jackson about 15 years ago and after retirement, they decided to make the move more permanent in 2018. They were drawn here for the skiing of course, but also the love of the mountains and importantly the community here. It is important to them that they be in a community where they could get involved and give back and, in a community with all ages of residents. Dale was introduced to JHWF and has become a Nature Mapper and volunteered with the JHWF fence pull projects. Her background is as an accountant. She was a CPA for her professional career. Since retiring early, she describes herself as a serial volunteer. She is generally called upon for her financial skills but also strategic ones. The environment is the core of our life on earth and of course, critical to our life and enjoyment here in the Jackson Hole valley. Dale is awed by the majestic beauty of the valley and is committed to preserving the habitat that is supported by the mountains and valleys across this area. Dale currently volunteers with Friends of Pathways, as well as Grand Teton National Park as a weekly bike ambassador and is a new VITA volunteer. In the warmer weather, she hikes whenever she can, fishes, bikes & golfs.
Ross McIntyre, Member
Bio
Ross was born and raised in the Flathead Valley of northwestern Montana, on the outskirts of Glacier National Park where he enjoyed hiking, camping and fishing. Ross headed to the Midwest for college and graduate school, receiving a B.S. in finance from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, and enjoyed a 35-year career in finance in Chicago, New York and London. Ross and his wife, Gwenn, and sons, Angus and Lachlan, began vacationing in Jackson Hole in 2005, initially for the skiing but soon began returning in the summer and fall as well. They quickly decided that they wanted to put down long term roots here, drawn by the incredible beauty, abundant wildlife, access to endless outdoor activities and the well-preserved character and strong sense of history and community of JH. Ross and Gwenn became full-time residents of Wilson in 2017. Ross’ introduction to JHWF began with volunteering for Wildlife Friendlier Fences projects and he joined the JHWF board in the spring of 2020. In addition to his JHWF involvement, Ross mentors budding entrepreneurs in the Silicon Couloir TEAMS program, serves on the board of the Responsible Growth Coalition, serves on the Stakeholder Committee for the WYDOT Snake River Bridge Reconstruction Project, volunteers as a Ski Host for the JH Mountain Resort, and is actively involved in Teton County’s wildlife crossings initiative and WGFD’s moose collaring project. Ross is an avid skier and, in the off-season, enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking and fishing.
Kathryn Mapes Turner, Secretary
Bio
Kathryn is a native of the Jackson Hole valley. She was born as the fourth generation to be raised on the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. She grew up riding the trails of the valley, learning wilderness lore and gaining an eye for landscape. The happy synergy of a receptive spirit and a place of magnificent beauty set the course for her life, including for a professional career as an artist and a passion for wildlife. She attended the University of Notre Dame where she majored in Studio Arts. She spent an influential semester in Rome, Italy and also studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. Turner now holds a Master’s degree from the University of Virginia. Turner’s artwork is nationally recognized with top honors received from the American Impressionist Society and the National Academy of Equine Art and the Southeast Wildlife Exposition as the 2017 Featured Artist. Her work has been showcased in the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Charlie Russell Museum, the Buffalo Bill Cody Center of the West, The Phippen Museum, the Brinton Museum and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum.
Bill Rudd, Member
Bio
Bill Rudd has been interested in wildlife since his earliest memories. He grew up in Minnesota and earned an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Resources from the University of Idaho. Later, Bill worked with the Idaho Fish and Game for a year before getting a MS degree at the University of Wyoming studying elk migrations from the North Fork of the Shoshone River and Sunlight Basin into YNP.Bill worked for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for over 30 years as a Wildlife Biologist, Biologist Supervisor and as Deputy Chief for the Wildlife Division. Bill co-founded the Wyoming Migration Initiative in 2012 with Dr. Matt Kauffman and has worked with WMI since. He has authored and contributed to numerous reports and papers regarding wildlife issues and was a contributing editor of Wild Migrations: Atlas of Wyoming’s Ungulates. Bill also co-founded and serves on the board of the Wyoming Wetlands Society, a local Jackson nonprofit raising swans for release for conservation purposes in the Intermountain West including YNP. Bill and his wife Lorrain live along the Hoback River in Teton County. He enjoys spending time with family, wildlife photography, fishing, boating, hiking, traveling to new places, and just getting out in the country.
Brandon Scurlock, Member
Bio
Coming soon!
Board Emeritus
Bruce Pasfield
Bio
Bruce joined the JHWF board in 2016 and served as board president for four years, from 2019 through 2022. As President, he helped guide the Foundation through a period of tremendous growth as well a transition in Executive Directors, and the unique challenges posed by Covid-19. Under his leadership, the Foundation significantly increased its fundraising efforts, created much needed board infrastructure, and laid the framework for the Foundation’s first strategic plan in over a decade. His efforts helped the Foundation grow from three full-time employees to five full-time employees, and to double its annual revenues. Prior to joining the JHWF board, Bruce enjoyed a distinguished career as an environmental attorney. He continues to be an active volunteer for JHWF and you may see him and his wife, Nancy, at JHWF fence pulls and various events throughout the year. He is an avid, hiker, birdwatcher, and golfer and dedicated grandparent.
Bruce Smith
Bio
Bruce spent most of his 30-year career as a wildlife biologist on the Wind River Indian Reservation and the National Elk Refuge. His research produced over 40 technical and popular papers and book chapters dealing primarily with wildlife population dynamics, habitat ecology, diseases, migratory behavior, and predator-prey relationships, focused mostly on large mammals. Bruce holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in wildlife biology from the University of Montana and a PhD in Zoology from the University of Wyoming. After retiring from federal service in 2004, he and his wife Diana moved to southwest Montana, where he continues his conservation work. Among his books are Where Elk Roam: Conservation and Biopolitics of Our National Elk Herd (2011) about the elk of Jackson Hole, Life on the Rocks: A Portrait of the American Mountain Goat (2014), and Stories from Afield (2016). Bruce joined the JHWF Board in 2003 while working with other concerned citizens to remedy private feeding of wildlife in Teton County.
Meredith Campbell
Bio
Meredith Campbell co-founded the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation with her husband Tom Campbell and Lorna Miller in 1993. Meredith’s lifelong passion for wildlife lead her to study and graduate with a degree in the natural sciences from St. Lawrence University, followed by a certificate in Scientific Illustration from Cornell University. Meredith illustrated nature-related books in her early career. After moving to Jackson in 1990, she switched her focus to painting the abundant and diverse wildlife found throughout the west and in particular Jackson Hole. Sadly, Meredith passed away after battling illness on January 5, 2018. She has left behind a legacy of citizen engagement that remains the inspiration for Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation’s work. When she and a small group of friends started the Foundation in 1993, she helped to build a wildlife-friendly community that valued action over talk. Meredith’s impact on the community and the many benefits she initiated for wildlife endure as part of the heart of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. She will be dearly missed.
Shirley Cheramy
Bio
Shirley is a retired CPA who grew up in Washington state and also lived in California. She began serving on the Wildlife Foundation board in 1995, shortly after she retired and moved to Jackson. Her interest in learning more about living with the wildlife and habitat of our valley is what prompted her to become involved with the organization. The Foundation’s on-the-ground projects and non-political activities are what has kept her involved. She has participated in the growth and development of the organization over the years, and continues to be involved as an emeritus board member.
Tom Campbell
Bio
usan Marsh is a freelance writer, artist, and naturalist. Among her books are an award-winning novel
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Susan Marsh
Bio
Tom Campbell was the founder and chief environmental consultant of Biota Research and Consulting, Inc. in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Trained as a wildlife and fishery biologist with both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Colorado State University, Tom specialized in terrestrial ecology, wildlife biology, fishery biology, and threatened and endangered species. He is a Certified Professional Wildlife Biologist, a Certified Professional Ecologist and an active member of The Wildlife Society, Ecological Society of America, American Fisheries Society, and American Society of Mammalogists. He now is the principal of Campbell Environmental LLC, also in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Tom has over 40 years of consulting experience including an extensive knowledge of the NEPA compliance process, wildlife and fisheries experience, and federal and state environmental regulations. Mr. Campbell has authored or co-authored nearly 30 papers published in refereed scientific journals. He has extensive experience in project management and coordinating all aspects of the projects. He is an active freshwater and saltwater fly fisherman and enjoys all aspects of the outdoors. He co-founded the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation with his wife Meredith, Lorna Miller and Suzanne Harris. He also served on the Boards of the Grand Teton National History Association, Trout Unlimited (Past Chapter President) ,The Wolf Fund, The Snake River Fund, and was elected to 2 terms as a director of the Teton Conservation District.
Our History
The Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation (JHWF) began as a grassroots effort to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity. Since then, our Wildlife-Friendlier Fencing program has removed or modified hundreds of miles of fencing, allowing pronghorn, elk, and other wildlife to move freely.
Expanding our impact, we launched Nature Mapping Jackson Hole in 2009, engaging volunteers to collect critical wildlife data for conservation. Today, we restore key habitats, remove invasive species, and collaborate with partners, landowners, and volunteers to create a future where wildlife and people thrive.
Review our Annual Report
The JHWF Annual Report highlights the year’s achievements, impact, and goals. With financial summaries, project updates, and success stories, it offers key insights into how resources drive meaningful change.
Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation
Tax ID # 83-0302830
Office Location:
25 S. Willow St., Suite 10
Jackson, WY 83001
Mailing Address:
PO Box 8042
Jackson, WY 83002
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