Here at Mirr Ranch Group, we are experts in conservation land for sale. We generally define conservation properties as those ranches that possess conservation values, which can mean a myriad of things. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual landowner to decide how best to protect the conservation values on their property. It may be through a conservation easement (CE) or it’s simply done through excellent stewardship of the land.
In this article, we’ll refresh your memory on common terms like conservation easements and conservation values, and then we’ll present the top available conservation land for sale in the western US.
What is a conservation easement?
According to our friends at Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust, a conservation easement is:
A voluntary agreement between landowners and a qualified conservation organization that permanently limits the development and subdivision of properties. They typically have the following features:
- Easements are permanent and run with the land through any and all conveyances of the property.
- Each conservation easement is unique and is tailored to each landowner and each specific property.
- These agreements are used to conserve land in perpetuity and they are designed specifically to protect the conservation values of a property.
- While conservation easements restrict development and subdivision, they do not restrict the landowner’s ability to continue to use the land for traditional uses such as crop production, grazing, hunting, fishing, and low impact recreation.
- Conservation easements do not require public access.
What are Conservation Values?
Conservation values are the attributes of a property that are worthy of protection. These values range anywhere from critical migratory elk range to viewsheds near open space to productive prairie grass.
In general, most conservation values can be categorized into:
- Open Space,
- Wildlife Habitat,
- Agricultural Lands,
- Scenic Vistas,
- Water,
- Ecological Resources,
- and Historic Properties.
Available Conservation Properties
With Wildlife Habitat
Owl Creek Ranch
Thermopolis, Wyoming
(Hot Springs County)
$6,500,000
2,505+/- Deeded Acres
CE: Partially Encumbered by Wyoming Game and Fish
Conservation Values: Wildlife Habitat
Adjacent to the Washakie Wilderness, Owl Creek is a pristine wilderness that is partly protected and is ideal for future, further conservation.
C Cross C Ranch
Oak Creek, Colorado
(Routt County)
$8,200,000
2,126 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Partially Encumbered by Yampa Valley Land Trust
Conservation Values: Wildlife Habitat, Agricultural Lands
C Cross C Ranch represents a great conservation opportunity due to its location near Steamboat Springs, prime winter elk range, as well as its legacy agricultural and water values. The strategy would be to connect the ranch to surrounding conserved parcels to provide protection of the entire property and further continuity of the habitat corridor.
Pyramid Peak Ranch
Hayden, Colorado
(Rio Blanco County)
$7,750,000
2,579 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Unencumbered
Conservation Values: Wildlife Habitat, Ecological Resources
The property sits in a basin under Pyramid peak and home to ponds, 2 miles of Bunker Creek, and riparian areas that provide water and feed for wildlife. The owners of Pyramid Peak Ranch work with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to maintain the elk and deer herds on the property.
Sanctuary Ranch
Hayden, Colorado
(Routt County)
$15,000,000
4,811 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Unencumbered
Conservation Values: Wildlife Habitat, Ecological Resources
The property adjoins Routt National Forest for 3.5 miles, has 2.6 miles of private fly-fishing on Willow Creek, and is home to the famous White River Elk Herd, known as the largest elk herd in North America.
With Agricultural Lands
BX Ranch
Avondale, Colorado
(Pueblo County)
$8,900,000
24,778 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Fully Encumbered by Palmer Land Trust
Conservation Values: Agricultural Lands, Wildlife Habitat
Saved from the devastating effects of decades of overgrazing, the ~25,000 acre BX is a conservation success story and a model of progressive regenerative agricultural practices. Identified as critical shortgrass prairie in the unique Huerfano Uplands ecosystem, the ~25,000 acre BX Ranch is protected by a conservation easement held by the Palmer Land Trust.
4-Way Ranch
Colorado Springs, Colorado
(El Paso County)
$15,082,500
6,033 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Unencumbered
Conservation Values: Agricultural Lands, Wildlife Habitat
Unencumbered and literally surrounded by high density development in Colorado Springs, this property enjoys a unique and delicate ecosystem. Conservationists can realize unlimited value through protecting this property from the otherwise inevitable development. An extensive 2011 Colorado College study of the ranch grasses and wetlands indicates the ranch is “significant for its numerous rare or uncommon species…as well as for its unique remaining prairies with clear affiliation to their geographically and temporally distant cousins” (Midwestern tallgrass prairies).
Red Top Ranch
Pueblo, Colorado
(Pueblo County)
$16,500,000
69,126 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Fully Encumbered by the The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Conservation Values: Agricultural Lands, Wildlife Habitat, Ecological Resources
Preservation of shortgrass prairie is a high conservation priority in Colorado. There are three conservation easements that encumber the ranch held by TNC and Colorado Parks and Wildlife that permit continued agricultural practices.
Lower Ranch at Cross Mountain
Craig, Colorado
(Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties)
$21,000,000
27,566 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Partially Encumbered by Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
Conservation Values: Agricultural Lands, Water, Ecological Resources, Wildlife Habitat
The property has incomparable conservation values with important wildlife habitat, water resources, riparian areas, native species, and dramatic scenery. The Lower Ranch sits just at the eastern end of Dinosaur National Monument with significant senior rights on the Yampa River and crucial habitat for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and sage grouse.
With Open Space
Burnt River Ranch
Beulah, Colorado
(Pueblo County)
$1,450,000
560 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Unencumbered
Conservation Values: Open Space, Wildlife Habitat
Conservation values include productive prairie lands, numerous springs, wildlife habitat, riparian areas, and spectacular open space values. Most properties that border the ranch have conservation easements in place, highlighting the spectacular qualities of the area.
Jorgenson-Mydland Ranch
Sheridan, Wyoming
(Sheridan County)
$2,200,000
590 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Fully Encumbered
Conservation Values: Open Space, Agricultural Lands
The proximity of Jorgenson-Mydland Ranch to the town of Sheridan, Wyoming rendered it as a prime candidate for subdivision and development. The owners, through a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy, were able to protect the wide open space while maintaining the intrinsic agricultural and recreational attributes of the ranch.
Ute Ranch
La Veta, Colorado
(Huerfano County)
$2,795,000
295 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Fully Encumbered by Colorado Open Lands
Conservation Values: Open Space, Scenic Vistas, Wildlife Habitat
The 330-acre Ute Ranch is protected by a wildlife and scenic open space easement held by Colorado Open Lands. This unique shared ranch listing offers prospective buyers an opportunity to own a private piece of the stunning Cuchara River Valley, without the responsibility of managing a ranch solo.
With Scenic Vistas
Chief Mountain Ranch
Babb, Montana
(Glacier County)
$1,400,000
400 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Unencumbered
Conservation Values: Scenic Vistas, Open Space, Wildlife Habitat
Because of its location near the eastern edge of Glacier National Park, scenic viewsheds, and the natural habitat it provides to threatened species including Bull Trout, Chief Mountain Ranch presents a compelling case for conservation.
Eagle’s Nest Ranch
Vail, Colorado
(Eagle County)
$15,000,000
80 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Unencumbered
Conservation Values: Scenic Vistas
Eagle’s Nest is an ideal candidate for protection with 20 minutes from Vail Valley skiing, wholly unencumbered, end-of-the-road privacy and adjacent to Holy Cross Wilderness.
Singing River Ranch
Gardner, Colorado
(Huerfano County)
$16,500,000
6,100 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Partially Encumbered by San Isabel Foundation
Conservation Values: Scenic Vistas, Wildlife Habitat, Ecological Resources
The ranch has such important and critical natural habitat for plants and wildlife and attractive open space of a pristine natural character with magnificent scenic values that a conservation easement was placed on 800 acres near the headquarters.
With Ecological Resources
The Ranch at Silver Springs
Gannett, Idaho
(Blaine County)
$13,000,000
2,060 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Partially Encumbered
Conservation Values: Ecological Resources, Water, Wildlife Habitat, Agricultural Lands
The property is partially encumbered by a conservation easement and home to ecological mitigation opportunities, including water and wetland banking, and recharge of groundwater. The Ranch at Silver Spring is situated at the headwaters of Silver Creek and home to crucial ecological and water habitat.
The Cottonwood
Daniel, Wyoming
(SubletteCounty)
$30,000,000
11,138 +/- Deeded Acres
CE: Partially Encumbered by Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust
Conservation Values: Ecological Resources, Wildlife Habitat, Agricultural Lands, Water
Through pioneering conservation efforts, the owners have enhanced and conserved miles of rivers, riparian corridors, wetlands, wildlife habitat, and open spaces, while also improving the ecological and economical sustainability of the overall ranch.
Conservation land for sale comes in all shapes and sizes. While some is protected by a conservation easement, private landowners are also key in protecting conservation values on ranches. Whether we’re keeping working ranches working, or we are protecting the wildlife habitat for a specific animal species, there is a diverse variety of conservation properties available across the American West.