It’s hard to believe Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures (ETA) is already sixteen years old! Our company was started in 2008 by Taylor Phillips, who first moved to Jackson Hole from the East Coast in 2002. Taylor had fallen in love with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and wanted to share this love with others. By founding ETA, he aimed to raise public awareness about the importance of preserving Wyoming’s diverse habitats and species.

Believe it or not, Taylor started his renowned, award-winning company out of his apartment and ran tours from his personal vehicle. His roommate, Katie Rose, was responsible for taking reservations–a job she proudly still holds today.

ETA tours operated with one vehicle and two employees for the first three years. Today, we have 13 vans and SUVs and 36 staff members, 27 of whom are guides. Sometimes it’s hard even for us to wrap our heads around this incredible growth. What’s more, we have educated over 50,000 visitors, opening their eyes to the magic of the GYE.

As a company, we are immensely proud of what we do. Not only are we known for giving the Best Wildlife Tour in the valley (four years in a row; thank you to everyone who voted in Best of Jackson Hole!), we also use sustainable operating practices whenever possible, keep abreast of the latest scientific research findings, are the premiere educational source for all things related to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and give back to the ecosystem that has supported us all these years. To date, ETA has donated over $165,000 to local and national wildlife conservation non-profits in the GYE.

In 2021, Taylor took his passion for conservation and his business acumen one step further and founded WYldlife for Tomorrow (WFT), a groundbreaking initiative that encourages businesses and individuals benefiting from Wyoming's wildlife to contribute directly to conservation efforts. In just three years, WFT has raised over $350,000, which has funded numerous conservation projects, including wildlife crossings, wildlife disease and migration studies, habitat restoration, and fish passages, among others. Through this work, WFT has laid the foundation for future conservation projects and research endeavors.

Because of his immense contributions to the conservation of and education about Wyoming’s lands and wildlife, Taylor was awarded this year’s Contributions to Biodiversity Conservation Award from the University of Wyoming’s Biodiversity Institute. This award is given to individuals or groups who have accomplished notable work to improve biodiversity conservation in Wyoming, and we can think of no one more deserving than our beloved founder and owner.

Taylor’s proactive approach to conservation funding extends beyond Wyoming’s borders, as both WFT’s model and ETA’s business practices serve as models for conservation fundraising and ethical and environmentally friendly wildlife tourism. Through his dedication to sustainability and conservation ethics, Taylor has set the bar high for wildlife tourism providers across the globe.

Taylor's tireless efforts remind us of the power of individuals to effect positive change and inspire others to join the fight to preserve our planet's precious biodiversity. In recognizing Taylor Phillips with the Contributions to Biodiversity Conservation Award, we acknowledge not only his past accomplishments but also the bright future he envisions for conservation and wildlife research. Thank you for all you do, Taylor, and CONGRATULATIONS!

Kelsey Wellington, ETA Social Media Manager, holds a BS degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of New Hampshire, and an MFA degree in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Lindenwood University.