Founded in 1979, JHCA is a tireless advocate for responsible planning to preserve wild and open spaces in Teton County, Wyoming.

Driven by a vision

Picture this: Jackson Hole, an oasis of human-wildlife coexistence, home to protected open and wild spaces, sustained by responsible planning that supports conservation. Sounds awesome, right?

Founded in community

Founded in 1979 by a coalition of Jackson neighbors, the Alliance began as a grassroots effort to stop oil and gas drilling in Cache Creek Canyon and protect the valley's natural character. Over the decades, that same community-driven spirit has helped stop detrimental development proposals, including shopping malls, amusement parks, and other projects that threatened Jackson Hole's wildlife, open spaces, and natural resources. Today, the Alliance remains an independent, community-powered voice for conservation, building on more than four decades of advocacy for responsible planning, healthy ecosystems, and the future of Jackson Hole.

Conservation over the years

  • 1979: Founded the Jackson Hole Alliance for Responsible Planning.

  • 1980: Blocked a proposed shopping center in Kelly, WY.

  • 1982: Stopped oil and gas drilling in Cache Creek Canyon.

  • 1983: Protected Oxbow Bend in Grand Teton National Park by preventing the damming of the Snake River.

  • 1980s: Secured federal funding that enabled the Jackson Hole Land Trust to conserve $4 million in scenic ranchlands in Buffalo Valley.

  • Late 1980s: Prevented a water slide amusement park from being built next to the National Elk Refuge.

  • 1992: Defeated proposals for an IMAX theater downtown and an outlet mall at the “Y” intersection.

  • 1994: Blocked the development of a grizzly bear theme park in Teton County.

  • 1999: Organized community efforts to stop a North Snake River Bridge, protecting vital wildlife habitat.

  • 2000: Helped secure permanent protection for 369,900 acres on Togwotee Pass from oil and gas leasing.

  • 2001: Led the successful effort to defeat the Porter Estate annexation and protect 822 acres of ranchland.

  • 2006: Mobilized community opposition to proposed oil and gas drilling along the Hoback River.

  • 2010: Advocated for and established the Town and County Natural Resources Technical Advisory Board.

  • 2012: Helped shape the new Joint Town and County Comprehensive Plan, with a core commitment to ecosystem protection.

  • 2013: Launched the Conservation Leadership Institute to train and empower local conservation leaders.

  • 2015: Stopped a proposed tripling of downtown commercial development and secured caps on future growth.

  • 2019: Led a successful grassroots campaign to win $10 million in public funding for wildlife crossings.

  • 2023: Won a case with Earthjustice to add the wolverine to the Endangered Species List.

  • 2023: Awarded the Power of Place Award from the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.

  • 2024: Modernized the Natural Resource Overlay.

  • 2024: Supported a moratorium on large commercial developments in Jackson to give an opportunity to update LDRs

  • 2025: Wrote and successfully advocated for the implementation of wildlife-friendly retaining wall standards in our county LDRs.