Historic Ranch Conserved in Park County
The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service and Park County, are proud to announce the conservation of more than 700 acres in the Tarryall Rural Historic District of Park County. This conservation project protects a high elevation cattle ranch operation and secures some of the most significant water rights in the state.
This latest effort will keep the Greene family’s ranchland in agricultural production for future generations, while protecting significant wildlife habitat and ensuring water quality for both humans and wildlife.
“The Greene Ranch is an excellent example of a stunning property that strives to balance productivity and ecological stewardship,” said Carrie Kasnicka, Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land. “They represent hard working Coloradans who care deeply about their operation, family legacy and the community. It is a privilege to partner with the Greene’s, CCALT, NRCS and Park County to protect this vital working land with historic designation.”
The ranch is located in the Tarryall Rural Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties. It is one of the few locations in Colorado where healthy populations of elk, mule deer, moose, mountain lions, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and pronghorn still coexist. The project also preserves high-priority water rights and ensures water quality for native fish species, complementing the hundreds of thousands of acres of adjacent and nearby public land.
“In the memory of Ralph Johnson and J.C. Greene (Frankie’s husband and Ginger’s father), we are honored and thankful that the meadows will always be green and the cattle will always graze on this majestic ranch,” said Ginger Greene.
The Trust for Public Land purchased the development rights in the form of a conservation easement, ensuring that the Greene family can continue to own and work the land, while ensuring that land and water rights remain intact. CCALT will hold the conservation easement conserving the ranch in perpetuity, ensuring that this incredible agricultural, ecological, and scenic resource stays that way for future generations.
“Ginger and Frankie Greene, the mother-daughter team that owns and manages the Greene Ranch, are an inspiration to all of us at CCALT,” said Erik Glenn, CCALT Executive Director. “The Greene Ranch is a beautiful and agriculturally productive property with views that Coloradans and tourists alike can enjoy as they crest Kenosha Pass on Highway 285. Conserving the Greene Ranch builds on the impressive working lands conservation work that has happened throughout Park County.”
The Park County Land & Water Trust played a critical role in supporting this project. Founded in 1998 and derived from a 1% sales tax, the Park County Land & Water Trust was created to preserve, acquire, lease, improve, and maintain Park County’s water resources and lands associated with water resources, water rights, water system/structures, open space, and wildlife and outdoor recreation resources.
“This success story is only made possible by the longstanding dedication to conservation by the Greene Family” said Clint Evans, NRCS State Conservationist in Colorado. “The NRCS is a proud to partner with families like the Greene’s, Coloradoans wanting to preserve their property as agricultural or open land.
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About The Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live near a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org.
About The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
The Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) is a nonprofit land conservation organization whose mission is to “…protect Colorado’s agricultural land, heritage and families for future generations by conserving working rural landscapes.”
About the Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical and financial assistance to help agricultural producers and others care for the land. The Agency prioritizes conservation planning and uses conservation programs in the Farm Bill to implement most of its efforts including the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program which is designed to protect the agricultural viability, grazing uses and related conservation values of prime agricultural land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land.
About the Park County Land and Water Trust Fund
Founded in 1998 and derived from a 1% sales tax, the Park County Land & Water Trust was created to preserve, acquire, lease, improve and maintain Park County’s water resources and lands associated with water resources, water rights, water system/structures, open space, and wildlife and outdoor recreation resources.