History of Grand Teton National Park Topic of Presentation at UW Research Center Aug. 18

The creation of Grand Teton National Park is the topic of the final Harlow Summer Seminars Thursday, Aug. 18, at the University of Wyoming-National Park Service (UW-NPS) Research Center. The center is located at the AMK Ranch in Grand Teton National Park.

Former UW Professor Robert Righter, from Jackson, will discuss “Grand Teton National Park: Past and Present Challenges” at 6:30 p.m. at the AMK Ranch, located north of Leeks Marina. A barbecue, at a cost of $5 per person, will take place at 5:30 p.m. Reservations are not required. For more information, call the UW-NPS Research Center at (307) 543-2463.

The creation of Grand Teton National Park is a story of controversy, but eventual triumph by determined people, Righter says. On the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, Righter will discuss the creation of Grand Teton, but mainly will focus on the challenges the park has faced -- past, present and future.

Righter is the author or editor of eight books. Wind energy has been the focus of three of his books, but his first love is the nation’s national parks. Righter has written about Yosemite National Park, but he is most devoted to Grand Teton National Park and its fascinating history.

He earned his Ph.D. at the University of California-Santa Barbara. Righter enjoyed a successful teaching career at UW, the University of Texas at El Paso and as a research professor at Southern Methodist University.

The UW-NPS Research Center provides a base for university faculty members and government scientists from throughout North America to conduct research in the diverse aquatic and terrestrial environments of Grand Teton National Park and the greater Yellowstone area. For more information about the center, visit www.uwyo.edu/uwnps/.

For more information about the Harlow Summer Seminars, contact Michael Dillon at (307) 543-2463 or Michael.Dillon@uwyo.edu.