protected

In 1843, Mexico granted 22,000 acres in California’s Cuyama Valley; 183 years later, the largest surviving 5,650-acre piece was permanently protected after a $1 million conservation campaign

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In 1843, Mexico granted 22,000 acres in California's Cuyama Valley; 183 years later, the largest surviving 5,650-acre piece was permanently protected after a $1 million conservation campaign

The largest remaining intact part of an 1843 Mexican land grant in California’s Cuyama Valley has been permanently protected from future commercial development after a successful grassroots conservation campaign. The 5,650-acre Spanish Ranch, managed by the Doiron family, is now protected by a permanent agricultural conservation easement through a partnership with the California Rangeland Trust. … Read more

Engineers dredged 500,000 cubic yards of sand from the Mississippi River and used it to build seven islands; six years later, the $25 million McGregor Lake project has restored 270 acres of aquatic habitat and protected 22 acres of wetlands

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Engineers dredged 500,000 cubic yards of sand from the Mississippi River and used it to build seven islands; six years later, the $25 million McGregor Lake project has restored 270 acres of aquatic habitat and protected 22 acres of wetlands

For years, sand dredged from the Mississippi River was removed to keep one of America’s most important waterways navigable. At one restoration site, engineers found another use for that material, building islands. The US Army Corps of Engineers has completed a $25 million habitat restoration project at McGregor Lake in Wisconsin, where about 500,000 cubic … Read more

In 2003, a Montana family bought 57 acres along the Stillwater River; after cameras documented bears, wolves and mountain lions, they have permanently protected the property from development

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In 2003, a Montana family bought 57 acres along the Stillwater River; after cameras documented bears, wolves and mountain lions, they have permanently protected the property from development

A Montana family has permanently protected 57 acres of riverfront land along the Stillwater River after years of documenting the wildlife that moves through the property. The conservation effort was reported by the Flathead Beacon and Whitefish Pilot, while the Flathead Land Trust confirmed details of the newly established conservation easement. Sean and Melodye Rooney … Read more

California kept 2,060 coastal acres closed to the public as a buffer around Diablo Canyon nuclear plant; after plans for luxury homes, a $42 million deal will turn the land into trails, campsites and protected coastline

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California kept 2,060 coastal acres closed to the public as a buffer around Diablo Canyon nuclear plant; after plans for luxury homes, a $42 million deal will turn the land into trails, campsites and protected coastline

The conservation plan comes as the future of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant remains under discussion For decades, 2,060 acres of California’s Central Coast remained closed to the public as a buffer around the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Now, the land above Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County is set to become a … Read more

In 1979, Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love paid $435,000 for a 2.5-acre Lake Tahoe property; the nearly 19,000-sq-ft estate he built is now surrounded by six protected acres and listed for $43 million

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In 1979, Beach Boys co-founder Mike Love paid $435,000 for a 2.5-acre Lake Tahoe property; the nearly 19,000-sq-ft estate he built is now surrounded by six protected acres and listed for $43 million

Beach Boys co-founder and lead singer Mike Love has listed his large Lake Tahoe estate for $43 million, ending more than four decades of family ownership. The 83-year-old musician bought the 2.5-acre hillside property in 1979 for $435,000. Over the years, Love and his wife, Jacquelyne, built an 18,922-square-foot compound designed as both a private … Read more

In 2001, Arthur Blank bought his first Montana guest ranch; 25 years later, his four properties span 33,000+ acres, including protected land and a Yellowstone River lodge opening to the public

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In 2001, Arthur Blank bought his first Montana guest ranch; 25 years later, his four properties span 33,000+ acres, including protected land and a Yellowstone River lodge opening to the public

Home Depot co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Arthur Blank is expanding his business presence in Montana with a new public riverfront lodge, 25 years after he bought his first guest ranch in the state. Through his holding company AMB West, Blank has developed a 6,000-acre riverfront property in Paradise Valley into Auster at Dome Mountain. The … Read more

In July, Montana protected 34,610 acres in the Cabinet Mountains; a proposed second phase would add 13,297 acres, creating a 47,907-acre conservation corridor with permanent public access

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In July, Montana protected 34,610 acres in the Cabinet Mountains; a proposed second phase would add 13,297 acres, creating a 47,907-acre conservation corridor with permanent public access

For generations, the forests of northwest Montana have been more than timberland. They have provided habitat for wildlife, working forests for local communities and places where people hunt, hike and explore. Now, state officials are working to give a large stretch of that landscape permanent protection. According to Western News and Daily Inter Lake, Montana … Read more

A Utah couple spent 14 years trying to stop their 25.5-acre farm from becoming another subdivision; the land is now permanently protected from development even as homes spread around it

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A Utah couple spent 14 years trying to stop their 25.5-acre farm from becoming another subdivision; the land is now permanently protected from development even as homes spread around it

Sheri Schiess and her late husband, Boyd, worked for 14 years to preserve their 25.5-acre farm in Nibley, Utah, as development expanded around it (Image Credit: Brock Marchant/ The Salt Lake Tribune) A stretch of green farmland surrounded by growing communities can look increasingly out of place, but one Utah couple spent years ensuring their … Read more

Saudi Arabia released 313 desert gazelles; 20 years later, both species had established in a vast protected desert

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Saudi Arabia released 313 desert gazelles; 20 years later, both species had established in a vast protected desert

Across one of Saudi Arabia’s largest protected desert landscapes, a conservation experiment that began in the 1990s is still visible two decades later. A total of 313 captive-bred Arabian and sand gazelles were released into Uruq Bani Ma’arid, where their movements were first followed with radio tracking. When researchers returned in 2015–2016, a large camera-trap … Read more

Priscilla Chan helped protect a Hawaiian beach preserve and wetland habitat; 17 acres are now protected for the public

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Priscilla Chan helped protect a Hawaiian beach preserve and wetland habitat; 17 acres are now protected for the public

A 17-acre stretch of coastline on Kauaʻi’s North Shore is now protected for public access and long-term conservation, with philanthropic support from Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg helping fund its ongoing stewardship. Kāhili Beach Preserve, also known locally as Rock Quarry, includes a windswept beach, the mouth of Kīlauea Stream and important riparian areas. The … Read more