Preserving Working Landscapes for Wildlife
Wyoming’s Upper Green River Valley is home to Cottonwood Ranches, a large working cattle ranch owned by the Botur family. But it’s also a key habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, moose and elk—not to mention one of the best places in the Valley to find the strutting sage grouse. More than 250 of the unique birds were observed on the property during a recent visit.
Using funds set aside to mitigate gas and oil development, the Boturs and the Fund are preserving nearly 5,000 acres of critical Cottonwood grassland and wetlands. It’s an investment for future generations of ranchers and vulnerable wildlife like the sage grouse. The project "protects one of the unrecognized treasures of Sublette County," says Freddie Botur, owner of Cottonwood Ranches. "We’re pleased to have donated to the effort and to have participated with the good folks at The Conservation Fund."
Photo courtesy Mark Gocke/Wyoming Game and Fish
For more images by Mark Gocke, visit his website at www.markgocke.com