We see protection of wildlife and habitat as imperative, and it is a way we support regional conservation efforts. With careful management, wildlife can thrive within working landscapes.
Goals: Protect and improve wildlife habitats (forests, grasslands, wetlands, and fisheries), migration corridors, and biodiversity.
Recent developments in radio telemetry for tracking ungulate (deer, elk, pronghorn, etc.) migrations demonstrate that open space and unblocked migration corridors are critical for species’ success. Based on this data, internal studies using motion-sensing cameras, and field observations, the Ranch has identified key zones for protection and improvement of wildlife routes.
Some of these activities are documented in the 2024 film, Under the Wire https://plattebasintimelapse.com/under-the-wire/. Produced by Michael Forsberg and directed by Mariah Lundgren of the Platte Basine Timelapse https://plattebasintimelapse.com/ Other partners included the University of Wyoming, Conservation District of Carbon County, and students and teachers from the local community.
The film was awarded Grand Prize and People’s Choice awards at the 2024 Wild and Working Lands Film Festival, presented by the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources at University of Wyoming.
The Ranch has been home to an active bird banding station, led by Dr. Oak Thorne, from 1986 to present. The work helps to identify migration patterns and vitality of a variety of resident and migratory species. Thousands of birds have been banded, but a few stories stand out:
One ruby-throated hummingbird was captured on its northward migration. It had last been captured in Taos, NM (about 400 miles south) just five days earlier. After release, it likely continued toward (or beyond) the Canadian border.
A female red-winged blackbird was captured twice at the A Bar A and a third time in Boulder, CO over an eight-year period—all three times by Dr. Thorne.
One cliff swallow first banded at the Ranch was captured again in southern Mexico on its annual migration to Argentina.
The open spaces and diverse landscapes on the Ranch are critical for nesting birds. Working with wildlife agencies, the Ranch actively protects nesting habitat for Sage Grouse. Partnering with CSU, studies have been conducted to understand how our irrigated meadows and the upland habits that surround them are used by sage grouse and where opportunities for improvement in agricultural practices exist. Ranch guests participated in a project near a critical breeding area, placing markers on fencelines to help grouse avoid hitting wires in flight.
Managing resources over the long-term for a range of users requires attention to individual, community, and ecosystem needs. We actively collaborate with neighbors, agencies, community leaders, universities, NGOs, and other stakeholder groups to support landscape-wide conservation initiatives.