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Upper Green Conservation Easements Transferred to GRVP

The Green River Valley Program (GRVP) is excited to share the transfer of the Carney I and Carney II conservation easements into our growing portfolio of conserved lands in Sublette County. Originally established with The Conservation Fund in 2009 and 2011, these two easements permanently protect more than 3,400 acres of vital wildlife habitat, water resources, working lands, and wide-open spaces in the heart of the Green River Basin.

These lands play an essential role in the basin’s ecological health. They protect key portions of the world-famous Path of the Pronghorn— an ancient, 200-mile migration route that pronghorn travel each year between the Red Desert and Grand Teton National Park. The Carney easements also support a remarkable diversity of wildlife while keeping the land productive for agriculture.

“The GRVP is honored to be entrusted with the care and stewardship of these incredible landscapes,” said GRVP Director Kerry Schultz. “I look out my window every day at these easements and am continually struck by how beautiful this basin is. For years, we have stewarded more than 1,400 acres across three adjacent conservation easements on this ranch, and we’re excited to add Carney I and II so we can strengthen this network of protection and our support of the landowners and their long-term stewardship.”

Together, the Carney I and Carney II easements protect:

  • 3,312 acres of the Identified Sublette Pronghorn Migration Corridor
  • 594 acres of the Sublette Mule Deer Migration Corridor
  • More than 1,900 acres of crucial moose habitat
  • 3,400 acres of winter and year-round elk habitat
  • Over 1,300 acres of sage-grouse Core Area
  • 980 acres of wetlands
  • 4.6 miles of the Green River

This transfer would not have been possible without the long-standing partnership of The Conservation Fund and Twin Eagle Ranch. “These conservation easements represent some of The Conservation Fund’s best work in the magnificent landscape of the Green River Valley,” said Dan Schlager, Wyoming State Director for The Conservation Fund. “After many years, we feel a deep sense of closure and peace knowing these lands will be well stewarded into the future. Our colleague and friend Luke Lynch, who led so much extraordinary conservation in the Upper Green, would be proud of this outcome.”

Looking ahead, GRVP remains committed to protecting open landscapes throughout the Green River Basin—keeping working lands intact, safeguarding water resources, and maintaining connected wildlife habitat. With an additional 3,200 acres of conserved land currently in progress, this work continues to build a more resilient future for the land and the people who depend on it.

Photo: Summer Schulz