There are some places that simply feel like home the moment you arrive. For me, Dubois, WY is one of those places.
For the past three years, Higher Calling Wildlife® has had the privilege of partnering with Camp Bighorn which is ran by the National Bighorn Sheep Center. That partnership involves me spending time with young people who are eager to learn about wildlife conservation with a special emphasis on using photograph and video to raise awareness.
It is such an honor to get to take part in this and I’m inspired to return every year.
Each trip back reminds me why this community has become such a special part of our work. The scenery is spectacular, the people are welcoming, and there is a genuine passion here for conserving one of North America’s greatest mountain icons.
Before teaching this year’s group of 27 campers a session on using photograph for conservation, I spent some time exploring the National Bighorn Sheep Center, and I quickly realized there is a lot that’s new.
I had the opportunity to visit with Executive Director Anna Miller, who showed me many of the improvements that have transformed the visitor experience.
Updated lighting brings the exhibits to life, while new interpretive placards make it easier than ever to understand the incredible story of wild sheep and the challenges they face. Throughout the Center, interactive displays invite visitors to sharpen their wildlife identification skills, compare horns and skulls, and gain a deeper appreciation for the remarkable wildlife of the Rocky Mountains.
One of the things I appreciated most is that the exhibits don’t avoid the difficult realities of conservation. Visitors learn about diseases that continue to threaten wild sheep populations, predator-prey relationships, habitat issues, and the challenges that can arise when domestic sheep and goats come into contact with wild sheep.
Those aren’t always easy conversations, but they’re important ones. Conservation isn’t just about admiring wildlife. It’s about understanding what it takes to keep these animals thriving for generations to come.
The Center has also expanded its interpretation of the historical and cultural importance of bighorn sheep. Updated exhibits explore the connection between
Native peoples and these magnificent animals, reminding visitors that bighorn sheep have held a place of significance for countless generations. It’s an important reminder that wildlife conservation is also about preserving a living heritage.
I’ve visited wildlife museums, nature centers, and interpretive facilities across North America, and what stands out about the National Bighorn Sheep Center is that it doesn’t simply present information. It invites people to engage with it. Whether you’re identifying wildlife, learning about habitat, or discovering the challenges facing wild sheep today, every exhibit encourages curiosity and inspires visitors to look at conservation through a deeper lens.
That made it the perfect place to spend a little time before Camp Bighorn.
In just a short time, I’d be joining 27 young campers for a week centered on wildlife, conservation, and the outdoors. Seeing the exhibits beforehand reinforced something I’ve believed for years: when you help someone understand wildlife, you dramatically increase the chances they’ll care enough to protect it.
That’s exactly why opportunities like Camp Bighorn matter. Young people who spend time learning about wildlife today become the hunters, wildlife biologists, researchers, land managers, photographers, and conservation advocates of tomorrow. We’re honored to play a small part in that effort alongside the dedicated people who make it happen year after year.
The National Bighorn Sheep Center is much more than a museum. It’s a place where people of every age can discover the remarkable story of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, learn about the challenges they face, and leave with a greater appreciation for the wild landscapes they call home.
As I left the Center to meet this year’s campers, I couldn’t think of a better way to begin the week. Conservation starts with knowledge, grows through experience, and flourishes when people are inspired to care.
The National Bighorn Sheep Center is helping make that happen every single day.
For information on visiting click here.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
To support the efforts of Higher Calling Wildlife® click here.
Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors podcast on all major podcasting platforms.
Higher Calling Wildlife on Facebook
Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.