North Rim of the Grand Canyon, AZ

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The protection of the Kane and Two Mile Ranches demonstrates the Fund’s unique brand of conservation, one that relies on creativity and collaboration rather than confrontation to address the nation’s growing need to balance economic and environmental objectives.

Summary

One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon remains among the planet’s most spectacular, scenic and rugged vistas. Although much of the land engulfing the giant crevasse has been protected, huge parcels of land here are still vulnerable to subdivision, development and drought.

Challenge

Such was the case with nearly one million acres along the 100 miles of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. An expansive inholding that connected three national monuments, two national recreation areas and eight wilderness areas, the privately owned Kane and Two Mile ranches spanned just over 1,200 acres and controlled grazing permits across nearly 900,000 acres of adjacent federal lands. At the same time, decades of grazing operations had taken their toll on the area’s most sensitive lands.

Solution

To preserve the region’s ranching heritage, wildlife habitat and striking scenery, The Conservation Fund and the Grand Canyon Trust purchased the Kane and Two Mile ranches, within view of Arizona’s famed Vermilion Cliffs. The Trust and The Conservation Fund created North Rim Ranch LLC to own and run the ranches and hired a third-generation rancher to oversee the operation. Funding to support the effort was provided by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through its partnership with Wal-Mart and the Acres for America program.

Results

The Fund worked with the Trust to bring together neighboring ranchers, public agencies and tribal officials to develop a management plan for the property that would reduce grazing pressures on sensitive lands, restore critical wildlife habitat and maintain part of the land as a traditional cattle ranch. The two groups also convened a science advisory council to assess the grazing allotments associated with the ranches, which will help land managers conserve and protect the fragile landscape.