Greater Yellowstone Coalition Buys A Gold Mine
Yellowstone Memories
Greater Yellowstone Coalition Buys A Gold Mine and sparks memories of my first trip to Yellowstone National Park. That happened somewhere around 1965. I was only 5-7 years old, and I can still recall that family adventure like it was yesterday. Even today, the number one trigger for recalling that positive memory is the smell of sulfur cauldrons, something most people can’t stand. It’s funny how the smell of rotten eggs can bring back such joy.
Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC)
It was this enduring love for everything Yellowstone stands for that made me join the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, a group whose stated mission on their website is to “Work with all people to protect the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, now and for future generations.”
Yellowstone is no place for a gold mine
The following text is taken verbatim from the GYC website, explaining why a gold mine on the edge of Yellowstone National Park is such a horrific idea.
“Along the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park, Crevice Mountain rises some 3,000 feet above the Yellowstone River. Cloaked in conifer forests and rich with wildlife, Crevice Mountain and the surrounding landscape exemplify much of what is extraordinary about the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The area provides vital habitat for protected grizzly bears, is a critical migration corridor for elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, and is one of the few designated places outside the park where Yellowstone bison can roam.
A mine on Crevice Mountain would permanently and irrevocably alter not only vital wildlife habitat north of Yellowstone but could severely impact the wild character, water quality, and aesthetic value of much of the park itself.
Stopping the mining threat.
To remove the threat of this mine once and for all, GYC entered into an agreement to purchase the mineral rights, leases, and claims to 1,598 acres of land from Crevice Mining Group, LLC for $6.25 million.”
Celebration in Paradise Valley
Last night, I joined other supporters and personnel of the GYC in Paradise Valley to celebrate the recent purchase of land on the park boundary being prepped as a gold mine.
Scott Christensen, Executive Director of the GYC, led the festivities at Mountain Sky Guest Ranch. He thanked all GYC volunteers and supporters, along with elaborating on a few behind-the-scenes stories of what it’s like for a conservation group to now own a gold mine.
It was an enjoyable evening and one I was proud and excited to be a part of. You, too, can take part in helping protect the world’s first national park by DONATING to The Greater Yellowstone Coalition. We all owe the GYC a huge debt of gratitude!
