Inaugural WYlder Festival in Casper Promotes Community and Conservation Through Free Public Events

A new community-centered event celebrating the stewardship of Wyoming’s natural and cultural resources is set to debut in Casper from May 30 to June 1, Oil City News reports.

The WYlder Festival, organized by the Wyoming Outdoor Council, will offer a weekend of free public programming that highlights collaboration in caring for the state’s lands, water, wildlife, and communities.

Held at several venues throughout downtown Casper, the festival embraces the theme “Working Together” and brings together residents, tribal members, artists, organizations, and businesses from across the state to explore shared responsibilities in sustaining Wyoming’s unique natural heritage and way of life.

“The inaugural WYlder Festival embraces the theme ‘Working Together,’ highlighting the vital role of cooperation and collaboration for everyone living in the Equality State,” said Carlie Ideker, organizing director for the Wyoming Outdoor Council. “It’s shaping up to be a powerful weekend of inspiration and shared purpose for Wyoming’s lands and communities.”

The festival begins Friday, May 30, at 5 p.m. with the WYlder Market at David Street Station. This interactive, family-friendly vendor fair will feature local nonprofits, artists, businesses, and hands-on activities. Live music performances from Young Sky Nation and Sagebrush Stringband’s Erin and Jack Clarendon will provide entertainment, while attendees can also enter a raffle for original artwork by Bria Hammock, the first artist-in-residence for Wyoming State Parks.

On Saturday, May 31, the festival continues at the Ramkota Conference Center with a day of panel discussions starting at 8:30 a.m. Topics include tribal civics, public health, environmental stewardship, and community resilience. Retired National Park Service Superintendent Walt Dabney will deliver a keynote address on the importance of public lands in American life.

A Saturday evening keynote panel, hosted at Frontier Brewing Company and Taproom from 5–7 p.m., will feature a cross-section of Wyoming voices. Panelists include Lynette St. Clair, an advocate for language and cultural preservation; Casper City Councilor Amber Pollock; District Representative Elissa Campbell; and writer and consultant Anne MacKinnon. Dr. Melanie Armstrong of the University of Wyoming’s Haub School will moderate the discussion, which centers on building inclusive coalitions for conservation and community development.

The festival concludes on Sunday, June 1, with outdoor activities that allow participants to engage directly with Wyoming’s landscapes. Options include a birdwatching field trip led by Audubon Rockies and a hands-on stewardship project to remove invasive plants along the Platte River, in partnership with the City of Casper.

The WYlder Festival is hosted by the Wyoming Outdoor Council, the state’s oldest and largest independent conservation organization. With a mission to protect Wyoming’s environment and quality of life for future generations, the Council views this festival as a platform to inspire civic engagement and environmental stewardship.

All festival events are free and open to the public, though some sessions may require pre-registration. For the full schedule and additional information, attendees can visit the WYlder Festival website.