When Elsa was accepted into the Teton Science Schools AmeriCorps program in early January, she was excited to spend a summer in the beauty of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. She was also excited to form connections with other AmeriCorps members and the Jackson Hole community. A few months later our world would be flipped upside down. The AmeriCorps program moved remotely, and Elsa concluded it was her responsibility to complete her term.

Her cohort is grounded and encouraged by the passionate Teton Science Schools (TSS) mentors who make members feel connected daily. While members still yearn for the interactions, they would have gained by living together on the 900-acre TSS Jackson campus, their dedication to serve is connecting them on a much deeper level.

Her AmeriCorps service is now focused on assisting two nonprofit partner organizations in the Jackson Hole area, Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative (NRCC) and Children’s Grand Adventure (CGA). 

NRCC is a leader for effective conservation through the reliable knowledge and scientific data of its field researchers to advance conservation globally. During her term, she will be updating and maintaining NRCC’s social media pages. 

CGA is an organization that enables cancer patients to start their healing process and experience the beauty of life through exploration of the Teton and Yellowstone areas. They offer unforgettable experiences for children who spent most of their childhood in hospitals. CGA has Elsa compiling research focused on nature as healing and the benefits of their cause.

Elsa believes serving our community is now more important than ever and as she settles into her service from Pennsylvania, the Grand Tetons are still towering over her, just a little smaller and hanging above her desk in a frame.