In 2001, a 266-acre Texas golf ranch opened beside a 600-acre lake; 25 years later the city traded it to Texas A&M for 138 undeveloped acres worth about the same $2.5 million

In 2001, a 266-acre Texas golf ranch opened beside a 600-acre lake; 25 years later the city traded it to Texas A&M for 138 undeveloped acres worth about the same $2.5 million

In 2001, the city of Temple, Texas, opened a sprawling 266-acre “golf ranch” next to a 600-acre reservoir, marketing it as a unique blend of course, event venue and recreational hub. A quarter-century later, with the facility aging and the university next door seeking space to grow, the city and Texas A&M University–Temple struck an … Read more

In Oklahoma, a veteran spent 5 years fighting back invasive cedars on his 400-acre ranch; now native grasses are returning and water is flowing into newly reappearing streams

In Oklahoma, a veteran spent 5 years fighting back invasive cedars on his 400-acre ranch; now native grasses are returning and water is flowing into newly reappearing streams

Heishman started working with Duel Brown, the Pawnee County conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, who helped find practical ways to improve the property. Retired Marine Corps veteran Brian Heishman has been slowly turning a 400-acre ranch near Pawnee, Oklahoma, into a cedar forest for five years. An overgrown property, choked by Eastern Red … Read more

A 5,000-acre Wyoming ranch was bought by conservationists in the 1990s; instead of ending ranching, they kept cattle grazing to protect the ecosystem

A 5,000-acre Wyoming ranch was bought by conservationists in the 1990s; instead of ending ranching, they kept cattle grazing to protect the ecosystem

When conservationists bought a Wyoming cattle ranch in the 1990s, most people assumed the herds would disappear. Instead, they discovered something surprising: keeping cattle on the land, managed carefully, could actually protect it. This is the story of Red Canyon Ranch near Lander, Wyoming, purchased by The Nature Conservancy as an experiment in coexistence between … Read more

In the 1940s, Seabiscuit retired to a California ranch; decades later its redwoods, oak woodlands and wetlands became a conservation priority

In the 1940s, Seabiscuit retired to a California ranch; decades later its redwoods, oak woodlands and wetlands became a conservation priority

​George Woolf on Seabiscuit (Image: Wikipedia) For years, Ridgewood Ranch in Mendocino County, California, was known primarily as the place where Seabiscuit, one of America’s most famous racehorses, spent his retirement. After a remarkable racing career, the champion arrived at the ranch in 1940, where he lived until his death in 1947. But the property’s … Read more

CNN founder Ted Turner’s New Mexico ranch helped save North America’s rarest large tortoise, growing its population from 30 to about 800

CNN founder Ted Turner’s New Mexico ranch helped save North America’s rarest large tortoise, growing its population from 30 to about 800

For thousands of years, the Bolson tortoise had been missing from the grasslands of New Mexico. Then a private ranch offered the species something it had not had in generations: space to start again. What began with just 30 captive tortoises grew into a population of roughly 800 through a long-running conservation effort backed by … Read more

In the 1980s, Michael Jackson put his 2,700-acre California ranch under an agricultural preservation programme; years later, officials found an amusement park, a zoo and other unapproved developments

In the 1980s, Michael Jackson put his 2,700-acre California ranch under an agricultural preservation programme; years later, officials found an amusement park, a zoo and other unapproved developments

Michael Jackson‘s sprawling Neverland Ranch in California benefited for years from a state agricultural land-preservation programme that reduced its property-tax burden, but the arrangement came under scrutiny after county officials discovered extensive development on parts of the estate. The roughly 2,700-acre ranch in Santa Barbara County included Jackson’s home, an amusement park, zoo and other … Read more

Hollywood actor Joel McCrea bought a California ranch in 1933; his family later donated 74 acres as a wildlife preserve and effectively gave another 220 acres for parkland

Hollywood actor Joel McCrea bought a California ranch in 1933; his family later donated 74 acres as a wildlife preserve and effectively gave another 220 acres for parkland

Joel McCrea bought a California ranch in 1933 When Hollywood western actor Joel McCrea bought a large piece of farmland in Santa Rosa Valley in 1933, he wanted a quiet working retreat away from movie sets. Decades later, the property has moved into public ownership, helping protect hundreds of acres of open land and natural … Read more

Grand Canyon flash flood update: Phantom Ranch evacuated, 15 people unaccounted for after Bright Angel Creek flooding

Bright Angel Creek near the Phantom Ranger Station in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, is seen after flash flooding from storms. (AP)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A major flash flood at the Grand Canyon forced the evacuation of dozens of people and swept large boulders, metal structures and other debris into the Colorado River that runs through it, the National Park Service said. Bright Angel Creek near the Phantom Ranger Station in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, is … Read more

‘Lucky to have made it out’: Phantom Ranch evacuees recall harrowing Grand Canyon flash floods

Phantom Ranch evacuees described a frightening Grand Canyon flash flood, while visitors shared relief, sadness and concern after seeing the damage.. (Parth Desai via AP) (AP)

A sudden flash flood at Phantom Ranch in Arizona’s Grand Canyon forced dozens of people to leave the area after Bright Angel Creek rose quickly on August 29. Phantom Ranch evacuees described a frightening Grand Canyon flash flood, while visitors shared relief, sadness and concern after seeing the damage.. (Parth Desai via AP) (AP) The … Read more

A West Texas rancher rejected wind turbines twice before agreeing to 7 on his family ranch; the royalties now help pay for feed and workers and keep the operation running

A West Texas rancher rejected wind turbines twice before agreeing to 7 on his family ranch; the royalties now help pay for feed and workers and keep the operation running

John E. Davis (AI enhanced scereengrab- Youtube/KC Videoclub) A fifth-generation West Texas rancher twice rejected plans to put wind turbines on his family’s property before eventually agreeing to host seven turbines. Today, the wind project has become an important source of regular income for John E Davis, helping him continue his ranching operation and invest … Read more