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Priority Landscapes

Southern High Plains

A man and a woman walking towards each other on a large grass hill.
Southern High Plains TNC scientists explore biodiversity potential at Bohart Ranch, one of the conservation targets of the Southern High Plains Initiative.. © Terri Schulz/TNC

One of the largest opportunities for grassland conservation in the U.S.

The Southern High Plains of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas are home to pronghorn, grassland birds and more iconic wildlife. TNC is working with partners to conserve a network of land and water across state boundaries that boosts climate resilience, preserves biodiversity and supports sustainable agriculture. Together, we’re increasing the pace and scale of grassland protection.

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Sights in the Southern High Plains

A landscape shot of a wall of red rocks with cactuses and grass growing on them; the rock wall extends to the distance.
A black-footed ferret is looking straight at the camera.
A black, white, and orange grasshopper perched on a human's finger.
A windmill on grass with sunset in the sky.
A landscape of several large green hills.
A prairie chicken on grasslands looking at the camera.
A bison herd walks across a dusty rolling landscape at sunset; one bison is closer to the foreground while the others are off in the distance.
A landscape view of a river flowing through grasslands.
A cow standing in a grass field looking at the camera.
The ground of a desert with blooming flowers and a canyon in the back.
A landscape shot of a wall of red rocks with cactuses and grass growing on them; the rock wall extends to the distance.

JE Canyon: In 2015, TNC protected this 50,000-acre ranch in SE CO. © John Fielder/TNC

A black-footed ferret is looking straight at the camera.

Black-footed ferret: TNC is working to provide habitat for this endangered species. © Bob Gress

A black, white, and orange grasshopper perched on a human's finger.

Barber Pole Grasshopper: This colorful grasshopper is an example of the unexpected diversity of life you may encounter in the Southern High Plains if you slow down and look closely. © Gustavo Lozada/TNC

A windmill on grass with sunset in the sky.

Connecting Landscape: Conservation Easement in Hamilton County, Kansas. © Jim Griggs

A landscape of several large green hills.

Bartlett Mesa Ranch: This New Mexico ranch was recently acquired by TNC. © Brad Cory/TNC

A prairie chicken on grasslands looking at the camera.

Biodiversity: The lesser prairie chicken is emblematic of grasslands. © Justin Roemer/TNC

A bison herd walks across a dusty rolling landscape at sunset; one bison is closer to the foreground while the others are off in the distance.

Bison: Smoky Valley Ranch is home to a satellite herd of bison with unique genetics originating from Wind Cave National Park. © Justin Roemer/TNC

A landscape view of a river flowing through grasslands.

Four Canyon Preserve: The Canadian River flows through this preserve in OK. © Chris Hise/TNC

A cow standing in a grass field looking at the camera.

JE Canyon: TNC protected this 50,000 acre ranch in SE Colorado. © Lauryn Wachs/TNC

The ground of a desert with blooming flowers and a canyon in the back.

Cactus Bloom: A diverse array of cacti blooms at JE Canyon in CO. © Audrey Wolk/TNC

A map of the Southern High Plains, at the intersection of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Kasas, and Oklahoma.
SHPI Focal Areas Map Southern High Plains Initiative focal areas. © Carleisha Hanns/TNC

Project Overview

Southern High Plains

We're working across five states and 71 million acres to conserve lands and waters to boost climate resilience, preserve biodiversity and support sustainable agricultural communities.

Learn about the plains
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Two men in cowboy hats riding horses on vast grasslands.
Cowboys on Parker Ranch Bill and son Tom Parker sold their ranch's development rights to TNC in 2008. Parker Ranch and two other holdings are part of 270,000 acres now protected. © Ian Shive

Stories in the Southern High Plains

  • Yellow flowers grow from the grass with blue mountains in the background.

    SOAR-ing to New Heights

    In a new initiative, TNC and partners are working with the Department of Defense to conserve a vast landscape in the Colorado Springs area while supporting agricultural, conservation and military interests. Learn about SOAR Colorado

  • A lesser prairie chicken standing on grass looking at the camera.

    Live from the Lek

    Each spring, lesser prairie chickens gather on lek at TNC's Smoky Valley Ranch Preserve in Kansas to dance, sing and show off for female birds in hopes of mating. Learn about the lek and watch footage from our preserve

  • A horse walking on grass with wildflowers and blue mountains in the horizon.

    Hear from TNC Staff in the field

    In this podcast episode of Mountain & Prairie, TNC's Matt Moorhead and Galen Guerrero-Murphy join Ed Roberson to discuss grasslands, ranching, building relationships and purpose-driven work in the Southern High Plains Initiative. Listen here

  • A woman looking through binoculars into a canyon.

    Continue learning

    View all stories in the Southern High Plains