Bridger-Teton accepts land donation

The 990-acre Upper Gros Ventre River Ranch is now part of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

The $3 million property was purchased by the Forest Service from the Trust for Public Land.

Chris Deming, Senior Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land said, “We are pleased to have helped protect this pristine land and important inholding for the public rather than perhaps seeing it developed. And we are particularly gratified that the special land protection fund established with the proceeds of this critical purchase will be used to protect other critical lands in Wyoming. Senator Kohl’s donation truly is a gift that will keep on giving.”

The ranch is located immediately north of the Gros Ventre Wilderness area and has more than 2.5 miles of frontage along the Gros Ventre River and six headwater tributary systems. The acrea has been a top protection priority for local conservationists because of its importance within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, D-Wis., donated the land to the Trust for Public Land three years ago. Funding for the purchase was appropriated by Congress from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Trust will use the money to support high priority lands in Wyoming based on Kohl’s wishes.

“This is a critical land acquisition which serves to link pieces of land that are owned by the public to make them more manageable. These lands are remote and undeveloped, and provide outstanding views and high-quality wildlife habitat,” said Forest Supervisor Tricia O’Connor of the Bridger- Teton National Forest. “It gets right to the heart of the motto of the National Forest System, ‘Caring for the Land and Serving People.’ This will protect the backcountry locations from future development and allow for their use and enjoyment by the general public.”

You can find more information about the Trust for Public Land here.