What To Expect at the Darwin Ranch Retreat

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The Darwin Ranch is nestled in a high mountain valley, an inholding surrounded by thousands of acres of the national forest in the Gros Ventre. With a history nearly as old as statehood, visitors feel transported back to a simpler time at the Darwin. Rustic but cozy log cabins, abundant wildlife in the valley meadows, and stars that seem to be within reach all make Darwin an incredible place to visit, bar none.

In addition to the mystique of the Darwin Ranch, visitors on the WWF Women’s Conservation Retreat get the opportunity to tour the nearby scenery, like Darwin Peak, via the most reliable transportation in the backcountry – horseback. In the early morning hours, it’s hard to miss the herds of elk in the lush mountain meadows, and often visitors will find deer enjoying the scenery as much as they do, making these horseback rides extra special.

Darwin Horses Corraled An angler’s paradise, bring a fly rod to the Darwin to catch trout in the nearby Kinky Creek, or any of the high lakes where they call home. While fishing is always very good, you may just find yourself on a magical day when it seems you can do no wrong, and the trout rise to hit every fly you throw their way.

In the evenings of the retreat, please enjoy great company with the other members of the Conservation Retreat, network with WWF staff, and learn about important conservation issues of today. The lineup of speakers for the evenings at the Darwin includes some of the most knowledgeable scientists, conservationists, historians, and naturalists in the West.

List of Speakers:

Ann Noble
Ann Noble is an award-winning historian from Cora, WY where she runs a Bed and Breakfast on her family’s cattle ranch.

Ann Noble
Ann, a renowned historian from Sublette County, will discuss the history of conservation and homesteading in Wyoming with a focus on historical female figures.

Maggie Huemann
Entomologist and sportswoman, Maggie will share information on how insects and bugs play a major role in our ecosystem, and in catching a few more fish next time you’re out on the water.

Joy Bannon Headshot
A dedicated mother of two, conservationist, and hunter, Joy Bannon served has served WWF’s Policy Director for over a decade and has been on the frontlines of some of the most important migration, sage grouse, and landscape conservation in the West.

Joy Bannon
A dedicated mother of two, conservationist, and hunter, Joy Bannon served has served WWF’s Policy Director for over a decade and has been on the frontlines of some of the most important migration, sage grouse, and landscape conservation in the West. Joy will be speaking to today’s biggest solutions to landscape-level challenges, like the future of conservation, renewable energy, and much more.

Kira Cassidy
Kira is a scientist who works with grey wolves on the landscape of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She is one of the most well-studied biologists on these large predators and will share more about how science is used in managing these incredible animals.

Kira Cassidy
Kira Cassidy (M.Sc) is a Research Associate with the Yellowstone Wolf Project who lives in Gardiner, Montana. Kira’s work focuses on wolf pack behavior, sociality, and territoriality.

Auna Kaufmann
Auna is the field coordinator for the Federation and is lovingly referred to as the staff “bird nerd.” She’ll share her experience with birding and give you tips on how to get started birding with the best of them.

The Darwin Ranch Women’s Conservation Retreat is bound to be an experience of a lifetime for any woman passionate about the outdoors, being part of our natural world, and conserving it for future generations.

There are still spots available for the Retreat, as well as two additional ways to experience it via a winning raffle ticket or scholarship application.

 

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