Support Wind River Youth Education and Mentorship

Help the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative (WRTBI,) the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited (TU) and the Popo Agie and Jackson Hole TU Chapters support the Trout in the Classroom program on the Wind River Reservation!  

Through the Trout in the Classroom program – part of a statewide partnership between TU, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the Wyoming Council of TU – students raise trout from eggs to fingerlings while exploring the science, ecology and cultural significance of healthy rivers. Under the leadership of tribal youth education coordinator Jeremy Molt at WRTBI, students and teachers on the Wind River Reservation are supported through tank setup and troubleshooting, classroom lessons and check-ins, and a trout release field day. 

“The Trout in the Classroom Program has dramatically improved student enthusiasm on the Wind River Reservation and increased youth participation in outdoor recreation. In short, it’s been a game changer,” said Jeremy Molt. 

The program reaches seven of the middle and high schools on the Wind River Reservation: Arapaho Charter High School; Fort Washakie High School; Fort Washakie Middle School; St. Stephens Middle School; St. Stephens High School; Wyoming Indian High School; and Wyoming Indian Middle School. Jeremy has also launched a year-round fly fishing youth mentorship program for tribal youth that brings together traditional ecological knowledge, fishing, time in the outdoors and hands-on conservation.  

The Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative is the new fiscal sponsor of Jeremy’s important youth coordination work, following a time of transition for the program. There is a timely need to ensure that the Trout in the Classroom program has Jeremy’s support for the remainder of the school year, as well as ensure that the growing impact of the fly fishing youth mentorship program is supported into the future. TU is proud to support this work which is being led locally, supported collaboratively and rooted in respect for people and place.  

Your gift can make a lasting impact.

This campaign will fund water and fish-centered youth education on the Wind River Reservation, including Jeremy’s ongoing coordination and in-classroom support of the Trout in the Classroom program, providing transportation and equipment, and expanding opportunities for students to explore and care for their waters. The Jackson Hole Chapter of TU, Wyoming TU Council, and several anonymous donors have generously pledged to match all contributions, dollar for dollar, up to $20,000. That means your gift will go twice as far in helping this work grow. Together, we can ensure that every young person on the Wind River Reservation has the chance to connect with their rivers and to carry forward the legacy of stewardship that is vitally important to the Shoshone and Arapaho people and TU’s mission. 

How can you help?

• Enter this sweepstakes or support through the additional donation field. Every gift is doubled, thanks to our match.
• Share this campaign with your friends, family and fishing community.