Twin Creek Ranch, Wyoming
June 21, 2005
Twin Creek Ranch, Wyoming
© The Nature Conservancy
Each spring, sage grouse and their chicks walk overland from nests on Twin Creek Ranch to summer range in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains — logging 20 miles and 1,000 feet in elevation over some rough country. A lesser-known migration than those of the elk and antelope, it is perhaps the more remarkable when one considers the differences between the species.
This unique and essential habitat will remain the domain of these sage grouse and the abundance of other wildlife which frequent the area, due to an innovative collaboration between ranchers Tony and Andrea Malmberg, the USDA’s Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and The Nature Conservancy.
Matching funds granted by the NRCS were used for the purchase of a conservation easement on almost 5,000 deeded acres at Twin Creek Ranch. The easement prevents development of the property, except for ranching and agricultural purposes. The Malmbergs contributed half of the match and The Nature Conservancy is raising the remainder through private contributions.
“We didn’t want to develop the ranch, but needed to buy out some retiring partners and raise some working capital," said Tony Malmberg, whose family began ranching the property over a quarter of a century ago. "By selling the development rights instead of the development, we are able to keep the ranch intact and know it will be in the future too.”
“One of the key threats to the American West is the fragmentation of large ranches, many of which encompass vast areas of natural land and multitudes of wildlife.”
Andrea Erickson
State Director, Wyoming
The Nature Conservancy
“Often, ranches are broken up to compensate siblings, heir interests and other business dissolutions," Malmberg continued. "The only thing left are home sites. By dividing and selling the development rights — instead of the property — the viability of working ranches, wildlife migration corridors and the quality of life in rural communities can be passed on to future generations.”
Twin Creek Ranch, which encompasses more than 16,000 acres of deeded and public land, lies between the southern Wind River Mountains and the northern Red Desert. Ranging in elevation from 5,800 to 7,500 feet, the ranch provides a home to most of the game species found in Wyoming and habitat for a large variety of migratory songbirds, several species of waterfowl, numerous small mammals, and at least four rare plants. The property is surrounded by BLM land and other working ranches.
“One of the key threats to the American West is the fragmentation of large ranches, many of which encompass vast areas of natural land and multitudes of wildlife,” said Andrea Erickson, Wyoming state director. “One of the most important things we can do to conserve wildlife habitat is to keep ranchers on the land.”
For more information about the Twin Creek Ranch:
- Where We Work: The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming
Working with partners and local communities, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 424,000 acres of critical natural area in Wyoming.
- Press Release: Conserving Wyoming’s Ranches Conserves Habitat for Wildlife
Each spring, sage grouse and their chicks walk overland from nests on Twin Creek Ranch to summer range in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains — logging 20 miles and 1,000 feet in elevation over some rough country.
- How We Work: Conservation Easements
Conservation easements are one of the most powerful, effective tools available for the permanent conservation of private lands in the United States. The use of Conservation easements has successfully protected millions of acres of wildlife habitat and open space, keeping land in private hands and generating significant public benefits.
- Our Partner: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.
- Archive of our Saves of the Week and Success Stories
Read more about The Nature Conservancy's work to save the last great places on Earth.
