Size:
9,871 acres
Location: Lincoln County
Eco-region: AZ-NM Mountains
Conservation Values: Agricultural land, wildlife
habitat & scenic open space
Type of Project: Purchased Conservation Easement
Date Completed: July 2008
Property Description:Located in the plains of
central New Mexico between Corona and Carrizozo, the 19,000-acre
Ancho Cattle Company Ranch is one of the largest working ranches
in Lincoln County. Due in no small part to solid land stewardship,
and a series of sustainable ranching management practices –
including a rotational grazing technique known as holistic resource
management – the property is a noteworthy example of successful,
large-scale ranching in an economy that has not always been kind
to the agricultural community.
The ranch also buffers the Lincoln National Forest along the
northern flank of the Jicarilla Mountains and provides significant
habitat for a variety of wildlife, including pronghorn antelope,
mule deer and elk.
With a strong desire to keep their ranch in the family and prevent
the land from being subdivided and developed like so many other
large ranches in the region – the landowners made a carefully
considered decision; they worked with the New Mexico Land Conservancy
to secure a conservation easement for 9,871 acres of the ranch’s
total acreage.
Through an innovative and collaborative partnership, the conservation
easement will be co-held by the New Mexico Land Conservancy and
the New Mexico Division of Forestry. In addition, partial funding
for the creation of the easement was provided through the New
Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department with
approval by Governor Bill Richardson’s office.
Property Photos:
