February 20-23, 2025
Indulge your passion for the park at the ultimate online event for Yellowstone lovers.
Presented by A Yellowstone Life in partnership with Yellowstone Forever
Calling all Yellowstone lovers!
Yellowstone immerses us in a world larger than ourselves, a place where humans are not at the top of the food chain. A place where the agenda is set by the weather instead of the smartphone. Where the steam of bubbling mud pots and towering geysers catch our breath, and wild animals seem to glance into our soul.
Here in this sanctuary for wildness, we feel most connected to nature and ourselves. The park becomes woven into the fabric of our lives, its majesty a siren song beckoning us to go deeper.
That's why we created the Yellowstone Summit
So you can...
...Feel like you're in Yellowstone even when you're far away and hitting refresh on the Old Faithful webcam.
...Connect with people who light up when you tell them your stories about Yellowstone.
...Satisfy your desire to soak up everything Yellowstone by learning from inspiring experts and insiders who will bring you even closer to the park.
...Get excited for your next visit with new ideas for how to experience Yellowstone’s true magic.
If you love Yellowstone, you don't want to miss this!
Over four days of immersive presentations and vibrant conversations, more than 30 inspiring speakers—from National Park staff, researchers, and historians to photographers, filmmakers, authors, and artists—will help you learn, connect, and celebrate a shared love of Yellowstone.
Take a deep dive into the park
Enjoy compelling discussions and updates on Yellowstone science, history, wildlife, geology, and cultural connections.
Be inspired by Yellowstone
See the park through the eyes of artists, photographers, filmmakers, and writers.
Discover the park's hidden secrets
Glean insider tips for how to find even more magic on your next visit.
Bond with fellow Yellowstone lovers
Hang out in the Facebook group or chat with attendees and speakers in VIP "Let's Talk Yellowstone" sessions.
I was just blown away...it's like being in Yellowstone. Thank you.
Susan J.
2025 Speakers
Now for the part you've been waiting for! Here are the inspiring speakers you'll hear from at the 2025 Yellowstone Summit
Take a DEEP DIVE into compelling discussions and updates on Yellowstone science, history, wildlife, geology, and cultural connections.
Bruce Fouke
Microbes & Minerals: Revelations from Mammoth Terraces and Its Ties to Coral Reefs, Space, Roman Aqueducts and Your Kidneys
Dan MacNulty
Beyond the Hype: Uncovering the Ecological Impact of Yellowstone’s Wolves
Daniel Anderson
Yellowstone Safe Passages: Addressing Wildlife-Vehicle Conflicts in Montana’s Upper Yellowstone Watershed
L. David Mech
Yellowstone Wolf Recovery: A 30 Year Retrospective
Diana F. Tomback
Clark's Nutcrackers and Whitebark Pine in Yellowstone National Park: Maintaining an Iconic Mutualism
Doug Smith
Yellowstone Wolf Recovery: A 30 Year Retrospective
Ed Bangs
Yellowstone Wolf Recovery: A 30 Year Retrospective
Eric Boyd
The Invisible Microbes in Old Faithful Geyser
Harry Slickpoo
Indigenous Earth Science and the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Ethnogeology of Mac' ispa ("The Smelly Place"/Yellowstone National Park)
(VIP Pass)
Jeff Reed
Deciphering Wolf Howls: Bioacoustics in Greater Yellowstone
Mark R. Johnson, DVM
Bringing Wolves Back to Yellowstone: Stories from the Project Veterinarian
Mike Phillips
Yellowstone Wolf Recovery: A 30 Year Retrospective
Rick McIntyre
Yellowstone Wolf Stories from the Field
Legacy of Wolf 907F (VIP)
River Webb
Mac'íispa - Geochemistry and Traditional Stewardship
Rob Sohn
What Lies Beneath: Exploring Yellowstone Lake's Mysterious Vents
Roger Amerman
Indigenous Earth Science and the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) Ethnogeology of Mac' ispa ("The Smelly Place"/Yellowstone National Park)
(VIP Pass)
Ruth Quinn
Having a Swell Time: A Celebration of Yellowstone in Postcards
Steve Fritts
Yellowstone Wolf Recovery: A 30 Year Retrospective
Steve Fuller
Winterkeeper Stories
Todd Wilkinson
Winterkeeper Stories
Be INSPIRED BY YELLOWSTONE
through the eyes of artists, musicians, photographers and filmmakers
Bob Landis
Film Highlights of 2024
Casey Anderson
In the Tracks of the Grizzly
Jenny Golding
Mindful Photography in Yellowstone
Into the Wild: Exploring Yellowstone's Backcountry (VIP Pass)
Jett Hitt
Yellowstone in Music: Classically Composed
Lisa Culpepper
Photographing a Winter Wonderland
Parks Reece
Call of the Wild: An Artist in Greater Yellowstone
Get insider tips and inspiration to FIND MORE MAGIC ON YOUR NEXT YELLOWSTONE VISIT
Brad Bulin
Yellowstone Tracking Challenge: Test Your Wildlife Detective Skills
Cara McGary
Yellowstone for the Future: How to stay Informed and Support the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Carolyn Bulin
Into the Wild: Exploring Yellowstone's Backcountry (VIP Pass)
Cedar Mathers-Winn
Three Things in Yellowstone You Should Stop Ignoring
George Bumann
Eavesdropping on Yellowstone's Wildlife Presentation and Q&A
(VIP Pass)
Sam Archibald
A Time to Bloom: A Phenology of Yellowstone Wildflowers
Shauna Baron
Insider Advice for Planning Your Yellowstone Trip
Test your Yellowstone knowledge at the LIVE TRIVIA CONTEST for VIP Pass holders!
Nicole Harkness
Yellowstone Trivia Contest Host (VIP)
Virginia Shoup
Yellowstone Trivia Contest Host (VIP)
Hang out with speakers & fellow Yellowstone lovers in live LET'S TALK YELLOWSTONE sessions! (VIP Pass)
There is so much variety. Whatever your interest - animals, birds, geology, hiking, camping, family activities - you will hear about it at the Summit. I was so impressed by the number and variety of knowledgeable speakers who gave their time to share with us this very special place that is Yellowstone. Robin C.
Summit Details
WHEN
The Yellowstone Summit will run from February 20-23, 2025 with a variety of presentations and activities to choose from each day.
WHERE
The summit is happening online; you can tune into the summit from anywhere with internet access. If you purchase the VIP Pass, you’ll also be able to listen to presentations in podcast format.
PRESENTATIONS
Presentations will be 20-45 minutes in length. New pre-recorded presentations are released each day and will be available for 48 hours to encourage you to take advantage of the incredible information shared by presenters. With a VIP Pass, you can take your time or watch them again; you’ll have extended access. VIP Passholders can also participate in live Q&A sessions.
COMMUNITY
This is where a lot of the fun happens! You’ll have access to a private Facebook group where summit participants and many of the speakers will be hanging out sharing stories, asking and answering questions, sharing insights from presentations, and connecting with fellow Yellowstone lovers. With a VIP Pass, you'll be able to ask questions during live Q&A discussions and interact with other attendees during fun live group sessions.
PRIZES & CONTESTS
Attendees will have the chance to participate in the Yellowstone inspired photo contest, and vote on submissions. VIP Pass holders can test their knowledge at park trivia, and win prizes based on engagement in the Summit Facebook group.
VIP PASS
After registering, you can also upgrade to gain access to the VIP Pass. That means you'll get lifetime access to presentations (including the ability to listen to the presentations in podcast format), access to live Q&A sessions with park experts, exclusive giveaways, and more.
Who's hosting this event?
Hey there! We are Jenny Golding and George Bumann of A Yellowstone Life.
In the 20 years we’ve been educating visitors in Yellowstone, we’ve had the extraordinary privilege to see the park through the eyes of some pretty incredible people. Leading researchers, poets, ranchers, park officials, authors, artists, tribal members, concessions employees, journalists, local residents, park volunteers and thousands of our students have inspired our own deep connection to Yellowstone; an experience we felt should be shared with a broader audience.
Our vision is to bring this unparalleled level of world-class Yellowstone knowledge and connection to a virtual format that is affordable, and available to anyone, anywhere. Most importantly, we wanted to create a community where people can not only deepen their understanding of the park but engage in meaningful conversations with speakers and with each other about the past, present, and future of Yellowstone.
We are pleased to partner with Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone Forever's mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. They raise funds for priority projects that protect Yellowstone’s ecosystem and wildlife; preserve the park’s heritage, history & trails; and enhance visitor education and experiences. Yellowstone Forever offers educational programs for visitors of all ages through the Yellowstone Forever Institute and operates 10 educational Park Stores in and around Yellowstone. Learn more at Yellowstone.org.
Essential Yellowstone directly from the source...
Imagine learning from the people who live, work, guide, and research here on a daily basis!
Enjoy the chance to meet and connect with people who love Yellowstone as much as you do, many of them who have visited dozens of times, or more!
Take advantage of the opportunity to learn new things that will make your in-park experiences even better.
You'll walk away with new knowledge and skills, a stronger sense of community, and new ways to deepen your connection.
Think of the Yellowstone Summit as a virtual Yellowstone lollapalooza for the mind and heart offering multiple windows into how you can express your love for America's first national park. Todd Wilkinson, Yellowstonian
Ready to Join the Yellowstone Summit?
general admission
A portion of live event proceeds are donated to Yellowstone National Park through Yellowstone Forever, the park's nonprofit partner.
$12
Upgrade to VIP After Registering!
After you register you'll have the chance to add the VIP Pass for an additional $47 for early and extended access to presentations, exclusive discounts and giveaways , live Q&A sessions, podcast feed, bonus lessons & downloads, and more!
The presenters are world-class, personable, and they obviously love their topic. You can’t go wrong attending the next Yellowstone Summit. Cheryl K
Here’s what people are saying about the Summit
"I was blown away..."
Susan Jennys explains what she loves about the Yellowstone Summit.
"Our favorite part of the Yellowstone Summit was the variety of presentations that were available for us to attend. All of the speakers were so knowledgeable and passionate about the topics which they presented, and we learned so much during each session."
Mike H.
"The gift of being able to attend six or more presentations for four consecutive days was just remarkable, like four days of Christmas!"
Paola L.
"The ability to tap into so much expertise was such a privilege."
Bea A.
"This was an outstanding summit with excellent presenters and very interesting material - I learned so much! THANK YOU to all who worked so hard to bring this into the world. The varied subjects and content was well beyond what I had anticipated, and absolutely worth the price of admission and viewer's time!" PJ K.
"Whatever your interest - animals, birds, geology, hiking, camping, family activities - you will hear about it at the Summit. I was so impressed by the number and variety of knowledgeable speakers who gave their time to share with us this very special place that is Yellowstone." Robin C.
Frequently asked questions
This event is for all Yellowstone lovers, from first timers to those who have visited more times than they can count! There will be new insights and experiences to discover for everyone.
The main portion of the summit runs from February 20-23, 2025. We'll kick off on February 20 and the Facebook community will be available right when you get your ticket!
While attending the summit live is a fun experience, all sessions are recorded so that you can watch them later if you're busy during the actual event dates. Presentations are available for 48 hours with the General Pass, and forever with the VIP Pass.
As you can imagine, internet can be spotty in the wilds of Yellowstone! To avoid tech glitches and save our sanity, most presentations are pre-recorded and will be released at the scheduled time. We will have several live Q&A sessions that will happen in real time, available to folks with a VIP Pass. You'll be able to ask questions in the live sessions, as well as in the Facebook group.
Each video will be available for 48 hours to everyone with a General Admission Pass. However, you can grab the VIP Pass for lifetime access to all of the videos, a podcast stream, and exclusive bonuses.
Each pre-recorded video will have closed captions and a transcript. VIP Pass holders will also be able to listen to the sessions in a podcast format, if you prefer. Additionally, you can adjust the speed at which you watch the videos and make them play slower, or faster.
We value your privacy! The only way sponsors or speakers will get your email address is if you opt in to their freebie, donate to their funding project, or take part in their products and services.
All of our speakers slots have been filled for this year. While our sponsors and affiliates are hand-picked and our slots are likely to fill, we are still willing to review proposals. Email us at hello[at]yellowstonesummit.com to inquire.
Due to the digital nature of the summit and the fact that presentations are available to attendees immediately after the summit begins, we generally do not offer refunds.
No worries, we're happy to help. Contact us at hello[at]yellowstonesummit.com or drop a note in the chatbox on the bottom right.
Join Us For the Yellowstone Summit
If you love Yellowstone, you don't want to miss this!