At JH Nordic Alliance, we share Taylor Phillips’ belief that when people have a better understanding of and deeper connection to this ecosystem, they are naturally inspired to become better stewards of this place. We sat down with Taylor, the owner and founder of Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures (ETA) and the founder of Wyldlife for Tomorrow to learn more about his story. Shout out to Taylor and his whole team for their contributions to helping build and sustain our vibrant winter trails ecosystem!
Tell us more about Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures.
Seventeen years ago, I sold my personal truck and traded it in for a diesel Ford Excursion I could run on biodiesel. That decision marked the beginning of Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures (ETA), a business I founded in 2008 with a simple yet powerful vision: to share the wonders of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem with people from around the world while promoting conservation and stewardship.
Building this brand has been a journey filled with hard work, community support, and the dedication of an incredible staff. This summer, nearly 30 team members will be introducing guests to this remarkable landscape. What keeps us going is the feedback we receive from visitors — stories of inspiration and transformation. One email I received from a guest four years after their tour shared how their son had chosen to major in biology, directly inspired by their experience with us. Moments like that reinforce why we do what we do.
What is a word best describing your role at JH EcoTour?
Inspiration.
At its core, our mission is to educate and inspire. Our tours delve into geology, environmental science, wildlife biology, and cultural history, offering a holistic understanding of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. We believe that by deepening visitors’ connection to this place, they naturally become better stewards of the natural world.
What makes Jackson Hole EcoTours an “eco-tour?”
My path to starting this business was shaped by my studies in college, where I wrote my thesis on ecotourism and participated in eco-tours across the globe. From the beginning, I wanted Jackson Hole Eco Tour Adventures to be more than just a tour company; I wanted it to give back. That belief led to the creation of our Dollars for Conservation program in 2008, where we committed 2% of our total sales to support local nonprofits protecting the region’s resources.
But our commitment didn’t stop there. We made mindful choices across our operations — running biodiesel in our vehicles, sourcing local and organic foods, recycling, and minimizing waste. As the business grew, so did our capacity to do more. In 2021, I founded Wyldlife for Tomorrow, now a program of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s nonprofit partner, the Wyldlife Fund. This initiative engages businesses in Wyoming’s travel and tourism space to financially invest in conservation projects. Given that wildlife is the top driver of tourism in our state, it’s crucial that those who benefit from this natural wealth invest in its preservation for current and future generations.
Looking back, what started as a dream and a single biodiesel truck has blossomed into a movement of education, conservation, and inspiration. As we continue this journey, we remain committed to protecting the ecosystem that has given us so much while inspiring others to do the same.
