Description
From high in the southern Wind River Mountains, the Little Popo Agie River slices deeply through ancient limestone before spilling through slopes ablaze with wildflowers, some abundant, others extremely rare. Starting at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level, the river's plunge to the plains traverses an incredibly healthy and vigorous landscape.
This is Red Canyon Ranch. Many species of large game animals—moose, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer and antelope—find forage and cover here. Miles of streams and river foster robust trout populations. Large predators such as mountain lion, black bear and a variety of birds of prey attest to the vitality of this working ranch.
Why TNC Selected this Site
In Wyoming, as throughout much of the West today, unbridled development has resulted in habitat destruction and fragmentation. As land is subdivided, associated roads and human development often interrupt wildlife migration corridors, decrease habitat for rare plants and animals, and make ecosystem management ever more difficult. Ranch lands are the final barriers to this type of development in many areas. The economic viability of ranching is, therefore, essential in maintaining Wyoming's open space, native species and healthy ecosystems. Red Canyon Ranch is a vital testing ground for best conservation grazing practices.
What TNC Has Done/Is Doing
Red Canyon Ranch is dedicated to enhancing biological diversity and protecting native plants and animals while at the same time raising quality cattle. TNC believes that responsible, economically viable livestock grazing can not only coexist with but enhance high-quality wildlife habitat. Local ranching families manage livestock and grazing operations at Red Canyon Ranch. In doing so, they keep Wyoming’s important agricultural heritage alive and able to be passed down to their children and the next generation of ranchers. They also provide educational activities to the larger community to demonstrate how conservation and ranching exist hand-in-hand on the landscape.
Contact
John Coffman
Western Wyoming Stewardship Director
307-714-3388
jcoffman@tnc.org