
An unexpected grant of $2 million to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation will be used to establish an endowment for wildlife and natural resources conservation efforts/NPS file
A surprising $2 million grant from filmmaker Myrna Berlet to the Grand Teton National Park Foundation will benefit the park's wildlife, as it will be used to support the foundation’s ongoing partnership work with Grand Teton National Park and will be used to begin an endowment for wildlife and natural resources conservation efforts, as well as youth engagement programs that introduce young people to the wonders of the natural world.
Myrna and her husband, Walt, ran a small educational film business—Berlet Films—that focused on wildlife. The pair travelled the world to collect footage of a variety of species in their habitat and created more than 70 films that were distributed widely to be used in classrooms, libraries, and educational lectures. The Berlets spent many months filming throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, developing a deep connection to the area. One of Myrna’s greatest passions was to expose as many people as possible to the magic of the natural world and preserve national parks for future generations.
“Myrna Berlet’s estate gift is amazing,” Grand Teton National Park Foundation President Leslie Mattson said. “After learning more about her story, we are humbled to honor her legacy by starting an endowment for our wildlife conservation and youth education efforts in Grand Teton National Park, which align with her life’s work and passions. To receive a gift of this magnitude as we celebrate our 25th anniversary as an organization is truly inspirational.”
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