Who We Are
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust is the Cowboy State’s first Wyoming-based statewide agricultural land conservation organization. We focus specifically on conserving ranchlands and ranching operations in order to preserve Wyoming’s wide-open spaces, natural habitats and the rural communities that they support.
A Rich History
The Wyoming Stock Growers Association was organized in 1872 to advance and protect the interest of the state’s livestock producers.
A Bright Future
Created in 2000 (from the roots of the Stock Growers Association), the Stock Growers Land Trust is dedicated to preserving the land of the state’s livestock producers and keeping them productive, working ranches.
Sage Grouse Initiative
The Sommers Ranch and Grindstone Cattle Co. conservation easements were completed in partnership with the landowners and the WY Game and Fish Department in 2010 and allow nearly 19,000 acres of working ranchland to remain undeveloped and forever an open, working landscape. The project is now featured in a video produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to illustrate its Sage Grouse Initiative. http://sagegrouseinitiative.
Oxbow Ranch Easement First in Big Horn County
Skip and Maria Eastman purchased the Oxbow Ranch with the goal of re-establishing a family presence on the land. The Stock Growers Land Trust worked with the Eastmans to complete a conservation easement on roughly 500 acres of working ag land. Skip and Maria recognize the value of agricultural lands to wildlife and are committed to keeping the land open. The conservation easement will help the ranch to remain a viable operation, and allow for the continuation of its agricultural, community, and wildlife values. It is the first conservation easement held by the Stock Growers Land Trust in Big Horn County.
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Mishurda Mountain Ranches Easement Enhances Kirby Creek Conservation
The completion of the Mishurda Mountain Ranches conservation easement near Thermopolis, Wyoming ensures nearly 8,000 acres of ranchland situated between Klondike Peak and Guffy Peak remain in agriculture and protected from future exurban development.
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Welcome Lance!
Working on various ranches in Nebraska and Wyoming gave Lance Schutte a deep appreciation for the work and services that agricultural producers provide. Lance grew up in Hastings, Nebraska and is a 2006 graduate of Chadron State College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Rangeland Management.
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Thank You Fremont Motors!
Stock Growers Land Trust staff members log thousands of miles each month as we cover the state to visit with landowners considering placing a conservation easement on their ranch, attend meetings of legislative committees, ag organizations and conservation interests and participate in special events. The use of a vehicle contributed by Fremont Motors will help us keep our costs down significantly. We are greatly appreciative of their generosity in equipping us with a vehicle that will keep our road warriors safe and comfortable.
Extensive Wyoming Land Conservation Project Conserves Nearly 19,000 Acres
The conservation easements on the historic Sommers and Grindstone ranches in Sublette County continue to attract national attention for their conservation impact.
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Budd – Espenscheid Ranches
January of the new year began with the closing of conservation easements on one of the oldest operating family ranches in the Green River Valley.
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Stock Growers Land Trust Announces 2012 Board of Directors
The Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust recently held its annual meeting and elected a new slate of officers and two new members to its Board of Directors, each for three year terms.
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