2008: The "Granby 5" Landowner Group

Some of the "Granby 5" landowners with their awards

Middle Park Land Trust presented its annual “Land Stewardship of the Year Award” to a group of five adjacent landowners near Granby. The landowners include the Leahbeth Barnard Family, Bill and Vicki Bluedorn, Maurice Sharp, Sandy Panagini and Dr. Mike Brooks.

Each year the Middle Park Land Trust recognizes Grand County landowners who most exemplify the mission of good land management and sound conservation practices.

 As adjacent landowners the individual owners came together for a common cause in the name of land conservation that will protect historic agricultural practices, wildlife habitat, view corridors, water quality and water quantity. The adjacent properties consist of 210 acres and are located on CR 57 just south of the Windy Gap Reservoir. Through the use of conservation easements the group collectively protected as a landscape much of what was the original Barnard Ranch that John B. Barnard bought in 1922.

The citizens of Grand County and the Middle Park Land Trust thank the individual landowners for preserving a beautiful area of this community and making Grand County a better place to live.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2007: Tom & Jane Petrie, Elkfork Ranch

The Petries with their Land Steward Award

Middle Park Land Trust presents their annual Land Stewardship of the Year Award to Tom and Jane Petrie owners of the Elkfork Ranch located in the Troublesome Valley.

The Middle Park Land Trust recognizes Grand County landowners who most exemplify the mission of good land management with sound conservation practices. MPLT is proud to recognize private landowners who help preserve Grand County’s agricultural lands, scenery, water, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity for today and the future. These dedicated landowners are leaving a legacy for future generations to enjoy while protecting their land today.

Tom and Jane Petrie have placed a conservation easement on much of their ranch with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. This conservation easement encompasses over 2800 acres of agriculture land, riparian areas and critical wildlife habitat.

The Petrie’s are committed to maintaining an historical agricultural use of the land that also improves and enhances wildlife habitat, water quality and improved fisheries. The Petries have also completely renovated several historical buildings and cabins on the ranch property which will ensure protection of historical treasures. All of these improvements compliment the Petrie’s efforts in related business opportunities on the ranch. The Petrie’s are quick to point out that Ranch Manager Rick Wahl, his wife Amanda and their daughter Grace are critical to the success of the ranch. Rick Wahl and his family have been on the ranch for 7 years and Rick has been instrumental in overseeing the implementation of many of the agriculture and habitat improvements.

The Petrie’s proactive approach to land and natural resource management has resulted in big game management, sage grouse protection, water improvements for agriculture, wildlife, and fisheries. The owners and managers of the Elkfork Ranch truly understand the values of preserving areas for wildlife habitat while ensuring historic ranching uses continue. Middle Park Land Trust and its members thank the Petries for making Grand County a better place to live.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2006: Art Bruchez, Reeder Creek Ranch

Mike Braddy, Judi Servoss, Erik Swanson, Art Bruchez, Bonnie Koblitz, Roger Hedlund, Elisha Bartlett & Deb Froeb

The Middle Park Land Trust gives an award to Grand County, Colorado landowners who most exemplify the mission of the Land Trust in land management and conservation practices. We recognize private landowners who help preserve Grand County’s scenery, agriculture, water, wildlife and biodiversity for today and the future. It is a legacy we hope to leave for others.

In Grand County, there are many good land stewards. As we evaluated landowners for the  award, there were two landowners who stood out from the rest – the owner of the Grand Colorado Ranches and Bruchez & Sons, LLC., Art Bruchez, who became the second recipient of this award in June of 2006.

Mr. Bruchez was selected for a MPLT Land Steward Award because of his commitment to creating a productive working ranch that also serves as wildlife habitat. Art was sent to the Ranching for Profit School by the Habitat Partnership Program (HPP), a Colorado Division of Wildlife program which is designed to help alleviate crop, rangeland forage and fence conflicts between big game animals and livestock on private and public lands.  The program seeks to develop partnerships between landowners, land managers, sportsmen, the public and the Division of Wildlife to resolve those conflicts.  This school was instrumental in informing Mr. Bruchez that the land could create a productive ranching operation while also enhancing wildlife habitat.

Also involved in the Wildlife Partnership program (WIP), Mr. Bruchez has demonstrated his support to enhance the population of sage grouse.   It is a credit to Mr. Bruchez and his family that productive agricultural production and enhanced wildlife habitat co-exist on his ranch today.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2005: Jay & Molly Precort & George & Betsy Wiegers, Skylark Ranch

Board of Directors with Wes Palmer

The Middle Park Land Trust gives an award to Grand County, Colorado landowners who most exemplify the mission of the Land Trust in land management and conservation practices. We recognize private landowners who help preserve Grand County’s scenery, agriculture, water, wildlife and biodiversity for today and the future. It is a legacy we hope to leave for others.

In Grand County, there are many good land stewards. As we evaluated landowners for the award, there were two landowners who stood out from the rest – the owners of the Skylark Ranch, Jay & Molly Precourt and George & Betsy Wiegers.

Skylark Ranch was also chosen for an award due to its commitment to providing viable wildlife habitat while maintaining a productive working ranch.  Long before the value of preserving our dwindling wildlife habitat was common, the Precourts and the Wiegers placed approximately 4,000 acres of this pristine ranch under a conservation easement held by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.  Along with the owners, Wes Palmer, ranch manager for 24 years, has been proactive in sage grouse protection, big game management, whirling disease mitigation, private property and water rights protection and development of water resources on the ranch.   These efforts demonstrate Skylark's deep understanding of the value of preserving areas for wildlife habitat as well as ensuring the continued ranching operation.

The ranch has received commendations from the Divison of Wildlife and the USDA-Forest Service for its resource managment and cooperation with their respective entities.

The Middle Park Land Trust believes that we all derive benefit from the presence of Jay & Molly Precourt and George and Betsy Wiegers  in our community.  We thank them all for their strong commitment to making Grand County a better place to live and enjoy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2004: Paul Tudor Jones, Blue Valley Ranch

In 2004, the Middle Park Land Trust began presenting awards to Grand County landowners who are identified as emplifying the mission of MPLT in land management and conservation practices. We recognize private landowners who help us preserve Grand County's scenery, agriculture, water, wildlife and biodiversity for today and the future. It is a legacy we hope to leave for others.

In our area, there are many good land stewards. As we evaluated landowners for the first award, there was one landowner who stood out from the rest – the owner of the Blue Valley Ranch, Paul Tudor Jones II.

Mr. Jones was selected for the 2004 MPLT Land Steward of the Year Award because his management of the Blue Valley Ranch has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to conservation techniques and land stewardship.

When Mr. Jones first purchased some of the Blue Valley Ranch in 1994, he re-acquired the water rights and began a holistic approach to ranch management which includes wildlife conservation, agricultural production, stream enhancement, recreational activities and in essence, the preservation of our local heritage. The Blue Valley Ranch now encompasses 25,000 acres and is thriving.

The primary focus of the Blue Valley Ranch is wildlife conservation. The ranch has worked in partnership with the Colorado Division of Wildlife on many projects including: the reintroduction of antelope south of the Colorado River, sage grouse monitoring and habitat restoration, and wild turkey transplants on both public and private land.

Habitat improvements for both wildlife and livestock have been prescribed burns, forest treatments, crops, and a rotational grazing system.

Many miles of the Blue River and adjoining tributaries that were vulnerable to low flows, high temperatures, and predators have been restored to a more natural condition.

It is a credit to Mr. Jones and his staff that agricultural production continues on the Blue Valley Ranch. Each year, the Ranch puts up hay and runs cattle as well as buffalo.

MPLT believes that we all benefit from Mr. Jones presence in our community and his commitment to land conservation. We congratulate Mr. Jones on the award and thank him for being such a terrific land steward.