Yellowstone National Park has received a record $105 million private gift from Tallgrass, a Blackstone Infrastructure portfolio company, to support conservation, infrastructure improvements, scientific research, and expanded public access to the country’s first national park.

The park announced the creation of the Tallgrass WYld Yellowstone Initiative in partnership with Yellowstone Forever, the park’s nonprofit conservation partner. The fund is intended to provide long-term support for Yellowstone’s stewardship while strengthening connections between the park and Wyoming communities.

One of the initiative’s major projects will be a new $35 million visitor center at Norris Geyser Basin. Steven Davidson, Tallgrass’ senior vice president, said the facility will give visitors more opportunities to interact with park rangers and learn about the area’s distinctive geothermal features.

“There’s no place for you to sit and engage with a ranger directly,” Davidson told WyoFile, explaining the need for improved visitor facilities. The proposed center will offer experiences that are “a bit more interactive,” helping visitors understand more than what they can see while walking through the basin.

The fund will also support conservation efforts, research, infrastructure, and programs designed to bring more Wyoming students and families to Yellowstone, which spans approximately 2.2 million acres. Tallgrass said the initiative reflects its commitment to the state, where the company has operated for more than a decade.

“The focus is for Wyoming,” Davidson said. “If you are a Wyoming kid, family, we are going to target these programs for you. Let’s be proud and selfish for Wyoming kids.”

Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon welcomed the donation, describing it as an extraordinary opportunity to help students develop a stronger connection to the park. Although roughly 93% of Yellowstone lies within Wyoming, Gordon said many of the state’s schoolchildren have limited familiarity with its distinctive natural and historical features.

Gordon noted that Wyoming residents already have access to abundant outdoor destinations, including the Wind River Range and the Absaroka Mountains. Educational programs focused on Yellowstone’s history and wildlife migration routes, he said, can help students understand how the park connects to the wider landscape and ecosystems of the state.

The initiative is also expected to improve how visitors learn about Yellowstone’s unique features. Gordon said expanded interpretation at Norris Geyser Basin would encourage visitors to understand the significance of the area rather than simply viewing its attractions and moving on.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum called the investment historic, saying it brings together private enterprise and conservation. He thanked Blackstone, Tallgrass and Yellowstone Forever for their partnership and commitment to preserving the park.

Sean Klimczak, Blackstone’s global head of infrastructure, said the gift reflects the company’s belief that infrastructure investment can benefit both the environment and nearby communities.

Yellowstone Forever President and CEO Lisa Diekmann described the donation as a transformational investment. She said it would help address urgent needs while providing enduring support for research, education, stewardship and visitor facilities.

The contribution comes as Yellowstone faces substantial infrastructure needs. The National Park Service estimates the park has approximately $1.2 billion in deferred maintenance and repairs, including work needed to maintain roads, facilities and other essential infrastructure. The park is also undergoing a leadership transition, with Barclay Trimble recently assuming duties as acting superintendent after Cam Sholly departed following eight years in the position.

Tallgrass, a Colorado-based energy infrastructure company, operates more than 10,000 miles of pipelines. The company is also developing the Cheyenne Power Hub, a proposed gas-fired energy project intended to supply a large data center campus south of Cheyenne. The approximately $7 billion development would occupy more than 1,000 acres in the Switchgrass industrial park, with the data center planned for more than 700 acres.

Google is expected to partner with Tallgrass on the data center project after an earlier partnership with Crusoe, according to reports. The development has faced opposition from some rural residents in Laramie County who have raised concerns about its visual impact and potential water contamination.

Tallgrass President and CEO Crystal Heter said the company was proud to help strengthen Yellowstone’s connection with the next generation through the donation.

The $105 million commitment represents a significant private contribution to the future of Yellowstone National Park. By combining conservation funding with infrastructure upgrades and educational programs, the initiative aims to preserve the park’s natural resources while making its history and landscapes more accessible to the people of Wyoming and visitors for generations to come.