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Wyoming is
known throughout the world for its open spaces, abundant
wildlife, scenic beauty, and ranching heritage. Ranches occupy
the most agriculturally productive lands in the state and are
critical to Wyomings wildlife through their location along
valleys and waterways that frequently serve as winter range,
birthing sites, and travel corridors. These contributions
of ranchlands extend far beyond the borders of ranches themselves
due to the fragmented and intertwined nature of public and
private land ownership within the state.
However, in
many areas of Wyoming ranches and ranchland are disappearing.
Studies have predicted that 48 million people will be added to
the West by 2050, resulting in 26 million acres of open space
being converted to residential and commercial development. Of
the eleven western states, Wyoming is expected to have the third highest growth rate. These
pressures for land conversions are compounded by low profit
margins from ranching, the increasing average age of ranchers, a
lack of recruitment of new individuals into the profession, and
high inheritance taxes. As the land becomes fragmented, the
wildlife habitat, watersheds, and scenic splendor sustained by Wyoming
ranches for generations are being swept away forever.
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