The Nature Conservancy Secures New Easement that Protects Critical Habitat and Reaches 100,000-Acre Conservation Goal in the Pioneers-to-Craters Lands

After nearly two decades of dedicated conservation efforts in Central Idaho between the Pioneer Mountains and Craters of the Moon National Monument, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Idaho has surpassed its ambitious goal of protecting 100,000 acres of private lands in this critical area, thanks to a newly secured conservation easement on a 5,368-acre ranch.

Situated in the heart of the Pioneers-to-Craters landscape, this property is home to a working cattle ranch as well as rangeland pastures, wet meadows, sagebrush expanses, mountain foothills and a network of braided creeks that support a diversity of wildlife, including pronghorn, sage grouse, sandhill cranes and elk.

This conservation easement is part of a mosaic of protected public and private lands, helping ensure that important wildlife habitat—including ancient pronghorn migration routes—remains protected, connected and intact. Preserving essential habitat on private lands also benefits and enhances the value of nearby public lands, providing landscape connectivity and a greater ecological diversity that public lands alone could not fully support.

The Pioneers-to-Craters area was identified by TNC scientists as a critical landscape for conservation in the Pacific Northwest, providing plants and animals habitat to survive now and into the future as the climate changes. Recognizing the significance of this area for wildlife habitat and climate resilience, TNC set an ambitious goal in 2007 to conserve 100,000 acres of private lands that provided vital connections to public lands. With that goal now realized, TNC’s work in this landscape will continue by supporting landowners and partners with stewardship and continued conservation.

“We’re honored to work alongside landowners who choose to protect their land through voluntary conservation easements—preserving a legacy for their families, communities and the natural world,” said Tess O’Sullivan, TNC land conservation strategy lead. “Easements like this safeguard lands from the threat of development, which can have devastating impacts on habitat and wildlife, including herds of pronghorn that have migrated through this region for thousands of years.”

“Linda and I would like to thank The Nature Conservancy for teaming up with us to protect these wide-open spaces for future generations,” said landowner Glenn Schumacher. “We look forward to working with The Nature Conservancy to promote good land stewardship and wildlife protections while maintaining ranching traditions.”

The easement was made possible by funding from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and TNC.