Working Together In the Owyhees
Sagebrush country may appear endless, but in reality only a fraction of this habitat remains. Conversions to agriculture, too-frequent fire cycles followed by invasion of non-native weeds and subdivision have had tremendous negative impacts on sagebrush habitat.
The Nature Conservancy believes that by working together, we can conserve this special place for people and nature. We believe that conservation solutions must also address the needs of ranchers, who have been in the Owyhees for generations and have strong ties to the land.
Owyhee Initiative
That's why TNC is proud to participate in the Owyhee Initiative, a group that brings together conservationists, ranchers, sportsmen and the Shoshone-Paiute tribes to find new solutions for often contentious land use issues in the Owyhees.
Legislation that resulted from this collaboration created the first new wilderness in Idaho in 29 years in 2009. TNC worked with the Wilderness Land Trust to acquire private properties that provide direct access to wilderness at Jacks Creek and the North Fork of the Owyhee. Thanks to these acquisitions, you can reach these wilderness areas via passenger car directly off the Owyhee Backcountry Byway (Mud Flat Road).
45 Ranch
Located in an extremely remote area of the Owyhees, the 45 Ranch was owned by The Nature Conservancy for ten years. During this time we undertook extensive vegetation mapping, habitat restoration and ecological monitoring.
In 2005, we sold the property to a conservation buyer willing to help us achieve ambitious conservation goals on the 240-acre ranch and its nearly 70,000 acres of public land grazing allotments. A BLM easement already in place will continue to guarantee road access through the property and access to the river for floaters.
We continue to recognize the Owyhees as one of the most important ecological regions of the state, and we will continue to work with the local community to help fight invasive weeds, engage in the Owyhee Initiative and work to protect both the natural and human communities in this special place.
