On January 26, 2008, the Yellowstone Association (YA) celebrated 75 years of support for Yellowstone National Park. In 1933 National Park Service Director, Arno Cammerer, formed YA, then known as the Yellowstone Library and Museum Association, to handle the funds accrued from the sale of publications in the park.

Yellowstone Association's achievements would exceed the highest expectations of anyone active with YA all those years ago. Today, Yellowstone's research library, one of the Association's original objectives, is one of the finest in the National Park System. In addition, the Association-funded museum exhibits, roadside displays, and educational materials enhance the Yellowstone experience for millions of visitors every year.

Recent growth has been phenomenal. Bookstore sales have grown from a gross of $2,158 in 1933 to nearly $3 million annually. In 1976 the Yellowstone Association Institute was formed, attracting 32 students. Currently, the Institute engages over 5,300 participants in over 400 courses each year. Likewise, the membership program was founded in 1980 with 24 members. YA currently has the support of over 26,000 members.

Of course, this is all in support of Yellowstone. Since its inception, the Yellowstone Association has donated nearly $16 million to the park, with recent annual totals of over $1 million. In 2006, the Association made the largest gift in its history-over $1.1 million for geology exhibits and an educational film at the new Canyon Visitor Education Center.

Indeed, while YA paused to acknowledge its accomplishments, the focus remains firmly fixed on the future. As Executive Director Pat Cole said, "I am proud of what we have accomplished, but what I believe is most inspiring is the Association's tremendous potential to provide even more support for Yellowstone in the future. We have achieved so much, but even more exciting are the contributions before us."

Help us build the future of the Yellowstone Association. Over the next several years we will use funds from our Legacy for Learning campaign to construct a new headquarters, a new education center, and two new bookstores which will allow us to provide significantly more funding and program support for Yellowstone National Park. We are looking for an experienced volunteer to assist our director of education in working with architects and general contractors to ensure that work is done cost effectively and correctly. The construction manager will begin as soon as possible and work 30-40 hours per week for at least one year. Specific responsibilities will include attending planning meetings, reviewing construction documents, inspecting job sites, and preparing progress reports on a regular basis. This position requires at least five years of professional construction management experience, excellent interpersonal skills, basic computer skills, and a strong commitment to the mission of the Yellowstone Association. Benefits include free housing in Gardiner, Montana, and a stipend of $12 per day. For more information, please contact director of education Jeff Brown at jeffbrown@yellowstoneassociation.org or 307-344-2295.

Join Yellowstone Guardians during February 2008 and receive a free copy of the DVD, Yellowstone: A Symphony of Fire and Water. Yellowstone Guardians are a special group of Yellowstone Association members who provide critical help by making donations on a monthly basis. This reliable funding gives the Yellowstone Association the resources it needs to help ensure that Yellowstone will remain as it is today: a treasured refuge for our children, grandchildren, and countless others who seek solace and renewal in its majestic wilderness. For as little as $10 a month- about the cost of a movie ticket-you can make a significant difference in the preservation of our world's first national park. When signing up, please make sure you refer to offer code Feb 08 E-news in the comment field on our website to receive your free gift. Limit one per Yellowstone Guardian membership.

This summer, join the Institute for our award-winning Yellowstone for Families program. Spend time learning about Yellowstone's diverse wildlife and geology with field activities including painting, photography, and animal tracking. At the end of the day, relax with your family or enjoy optional evening programs. This comprehensive four-day package includes expert instruction, in-park transportation, lodging, and most meals. Prices start at $615 per person, double occupancy for adults and $379 for kids.

By Doug Dance and Bob Weselmann. Doug Dance follows his popular title Once Around the Sun with an intimate look into the heart of Yellowstone. Wild About Yellowstone brings you up close and personal with the wildlife in Yellowstone's diverse ecosystem. This title features stunning photography ranging from the smallest mammal to the largest bison. Price: $36.00 ($30.60 for members).

This exciting new feature provides live, full-motion video of Old Faithful Geyser, as well as Beehive, Lion, Giantess, and other geysers located on Geyser Hill. Viewers may also observe wildlife that wanders into range of the webcam. If you want to know more about Yellowstone's thermal features or wildlife, there are helpful links on the website, including short ranger talk videos. The webcam is still considered experimental, especially in the harsh environment of a typical Yellowstone winter. On occasions when the webcam may be out of order; please do not contact the park as staff will be closely monitoring the equipment and will work to correct any problems as quickly as conditions allow.