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The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming Home Places We Protect News Room How We Work Events Ways of Giving Volunteer Contact |
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Heart Mountain Ranch
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ContactHeart Mountain Ranch Learn moreMeet Carrie and Brian Peters, a local couple who have taken the reins at Heart Mountain Ranch. Learn about Anne Young—one person working to save this great land.
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Surrounded by sagebrush basin, Heart Mountain stands alone. Named by the Crow Indians, this mountain is one of the few identifiable features on the maps Lewis and Clark created.
With its unusual limestone cap, Heart Mountain is a puzzle. Geologists from around the world have studied it, yet its origin remains a subject of passionate debate. Somehow it became separated from larger masses of similar formations found sixty miles away in Yellowstone National Park. Moreover, older limestone lies atop younger strata, which is "upside down" in relation to how these strata are found elsewhere.
Heart Mountain Ranch supports one of the greatest concentrations of rare plants ever discovered on private property in Wyoming. Many native mammals also are often seen here, particularly elk, mule deer and antelope.
Location
Heart Mountain Ranch, north of Cody, encompasses the north and east slopes of Heart Mountain and a portion of the surrounding plains.
Size
15,000 acres
Plants
Heart Mountain Ranch supports one of the greatest concentrations of rare plants ever discovered on private property in Wyoming. Of particular interest are several cushion plant communities found on cliffs near its summit. Shoshonea (cushion plant), Howards’ Forget me not, Snake River Cat’s Eye, Aromatic Pussytoes, Absaroka Goldenweed.
Animals
Shoshone Indians called this land “Home of the Birds” because of the large number of bird species living here. Golden eagles and sage thrashers are commonly sighted. Recently, peregrine falcons have been spotted and are believed to be nesting on summit cliffs.
For several years, Wyoming Department of Game & Fish biologists have studied and inventoried a prominent sage grouse lek found on the preserve. Sage grouse—large, flamboyant birds that depend on sagebrush—are at risk.
Many native mammals often are seen here, particularly elk, mule deer and antelope. Mountain lion and bobcat are common predators, as is the ubiquitous coyote. Black bears sometimes roam its slopes. Grizzly bears may even visit the area from time to time, given the brushy corridors and rough country connecting Heart Mountain to the nearby Absarokas.
Why the Conservancy Selected this Site
The Conservancy uses a rigorous science-based process called Conservation by Design to develop strategic plans to save Wyoming’s last great places. It helps the Conservancy focus its resources on the sites most in need to critical intervention. Under this system, Heart Mountain received the second-highest rating for overall biodiversity.
Although the Conservancy rarely buys land outright, this ranch was too important to pass up. It is one of only four purchases in Wyoming in the last decade.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
One of the challenges with doing conservation work in the West is that ranchers depend on the land for grazing. To accomplish work, such as a prescribed burn, often means finding alternate grazing lands for ranchers.
Grassbanks are an innovative answer to this dilemma, providing relief pasture for ranchers when regular grazing lands aren’t available, or when ranchers choose to purse conservation practices on regular grazing lands.
Grazing can even benefit natural plant communities and wildlife. In fact, cattle fulfill the role buffalo once played in this ecosystem, helping maintain many native plants that evolved in response to them.
Part of Heart Mountain Ranch is used as a grassbank, which helps partners like the land managers at Shoshone National Forest. The Conservancy believes more can be accomplished by working together.
Read an article from the Red Lodge Clearing House: Heart Mountain Grassbank.
Contact
Heart Mountain Ranch
1357 Road 22
Powell, WY 82435
Phone: (307) 754-8446
Brian and Carrie Peters, Ranch Management
Nature picture credits (top to bottom): © Edward Orth, © Pam Dewell/TNC, © Kerry Brophy Lloyd/TNC
