Cross Ranch to Celebrate 25 Years of Conservation

Wagon Rides, Children’s Activities and Nature Hikes Will Be Offered at Open House

July 2, 2007— The Nature Conservancy will hold an open house on Saturday, July 14, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to commemorate the 25th anniversary of its Cross Ranch Preserve, 1401 River Road, Center, ND. The Cross Ranch was the Conservancy’s first project in North Dakota. The event, which is free and open to the public, will include wagon rides, trail hikes, children’s activities, talks by naturalists and refreshments. In addition, Cross Ranch State Park, directly across from Cross Ranch Preserve, is offering free admission all day.

Situated on the west bank of the Missouri River and about a 30-minute drive from Bismarck, the Conservancy’s Cross Ranch Preserve provides wildlife habitat for a large number of native species. Bison, white-tailed and mule deer, badger, coyote, more than 90 species of grassland birds and more than 100 species of wildflowers can be found on the preserve. The preserve is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places as an archaeological district. Prehistoric American Indian sites, remnants of an original homestead and a cemetery of a resident pioneer family are located on the property.

To help preserve the health of the native prairie and water resources at Cross Ranch, the Conservancy applies prescribed fire, managed grazing with bison and cattle, invasive species control and prairie and wetland restoration. The Conservancy works with partners including local farmers and ranchers, private landowners and North Dakota Parks and Recreation.

For additional information on Cross Ranch’s 25th anniversary celebration, visit nature.org/northdakota or call (701) 222-8464.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.