None The Nature Conservancy in Wyoming Press Releases Search All Press Releases Pam Dewell Phone: (307) 335-2133 E-mail: pdewell@tnc.org

Preserved for Wildlife and Ranching

Casper, WY—December 18, 2003—David O. MacKenzie has donated a conservation easement protecting more than 22,000 acres located south of Waltman to The Nature Conservancy.  This is the second-largest conservation easement received by the Conservancy in Wyoming in its 12-year history and will ensure the protection of crucial mule deer and pronghorn habitat.  The MacKenzie Cattle Company will continue ranching operations on the property, which has supported cattle and sheep since homestead times.

"I chose to place a conservation easement on this property to keep it as ranch land in perpetuity.  My intent is to prevent subdivision yet allow continuance of agricultural and recreational activities while conserving its ecological values," said Mr. MacKenzie. 

Just north of the Rattlesnake Mountains, the land is comprised of rolling hills of native grassland with some limber pine on the upper elevations.   There are excellent examples of natural communities dominated by big sagebrush and black sagebrush and, in addition to mule deer and pronghorn, is also populated by sage grouse, golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, and bobcats.

Cecil Petty, who owned the land until the 1950's, homesteaded the property, operating a sheep and cattle ranch. The property was sold to the Whiteways and later, the Fenton family, which operated the Pine Mountain Livestock Company.  In the early 1970's, the land was sold to Van and Lee Irvine of Skyline Ranches, which ran sheep.   Metropolitan Life Insurance Company took over the ranch in the1980's, selling it to the present owner in 1990.  Mr. MacKenzie has always run cattle on the ranch, which is overseen by ranch manager Chris Martin.

"We're excited about receiving this conservation easement because it protects habitat on a landscape scale. In addition to conserving individual species, the easement will protect a substantial portion of the natural communities and processes those species require to survive" said Randy Craft, Conservation Project Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy.

The Conservancy focuses on "direct action" -- working to conserve important lands through partnerships with a diverse array of landowners.  Conservation easements are one of the tools employed to preserve open space and keep key habitat intact.

The MacKenzies are not newcomers to land conservation.  This is the second conservation easement on MacKenzie family property; the first protects their historic Red Rock Ranch in the Gros Ventre valley outside of Jackson.  Deborah MacKenzie, Mr. MacKenzie's wife, has served on the Board of the Illinois Chapter of The Nature Conservancy and is presently a member of the Conservancy's Board of Trustees in Wyoming.