1,042 acres conserved in Sublette County
by Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust
May 9, 2022
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust, in partnership with the Richie Family, has conserved 1,042 acres of the Richie Ranch Home Place near Boulder, Wyoming through an agricultural conservation easement.
The Richie Ranch Home Place is a highly productive agricultural property consisting mostly of open hay meadows, flanked by dry ridges rising into the Wind River foothills beyond. The property is part of the larger Richie Ranch and has provided a living for the family for nearly 100 years. The entire property is within greater sage-grouse core area and a portion of the property is within the Sublette Mule Deer Migration Corridor, the longest known mule deer migration route in the world. Throughout the year, migratory species such as sandhill cranes and long billed curlew use the property on their transcontinental journeys. Preserving the Richie Ranch Home Place contributes to the continuity of open space on the Wind River Front. The conservation easement protects wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, and opportunities for future agriculturalists.
"Throughout the generations our family has made a living from this ranch they worked so hard for. We believe in a conservative approach of maintaining and improving the resources the ranch provides. The hay meadows, pastures, water, and the abundance of wildlife are what make this ranch so special. This easement, along with the support of the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust, will help to maintain our family ranching goals," said Carole Richie.
The purchase of this conservation easement was funded by the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust (WWNRT), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the ConocoPhillips Spirit of Conservation Program through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).
Astrid Martinez, Wyoming NRCS State Conservationist noted, "It's always exciting for Wyoming NRCS to join our landowners and our partners in celebrating the closing of a Conservation Easement. It's a privilege to know NRCS is assisting Wyoming families and our partners in making a lasting, positive, difference to protect agricultural lands and lands that are crucial to Wyoming’s amazing wildlife."
Adding to Astrid’s sentiment, "Since 2005, our partnership with ConocoPhillips and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has helped sustain imperiled bird populations through a long-term dedication to conservation," said Todd Hogrefe, Central Regional Office Director of NFWF. "The SPIRIT of Conservation program has emphasized voluntary partnerships with ranchers like the Richie Family to conserve bird habitats while also providing important benefits to working lands and local communities."
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust is grateful for the continued partnership with the WWNRT, NRCS and NFWF, and is proud to partner with the Richie family as they further their agricultural legacy in Sublette County. The completion of this project brings the number of protected agricultural land, open spaces and wildlife habitat to 288,746 statewide. This would not be possible without our trusted partners and landowners!
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