Palmer Protects a Critical Ranch along Scenic Byway
In November of 2011, Palmer Land Trust protected 290 acres of the stunning Gaffney Ranch. The Gaffney Ranch is one of two large, unprotected ranches remaining in an 18-mile corridor of open lands that stretches from the north slope of Pikes Peak to the Dome Rock Area. Palmer has been working to protect this area for more than twenty years. Recent investments in the corridor from Great Outdoors Colorado, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Carl George Bjorkman Foundation, and the Gates Family Foundation are helping to protect these last two ranches, both of which are over 1,000 acres. The protection of 290 acres of the Gaffney Ranch this month concludes a critical first step in what will be multi-year ranch protection effort. Palmer Land Trust would like to thank the members of the Gaffney Family for their dedication to protecting the ranch forever.
The Gaffney Ranch is located in Teller County on the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway near the junction of Teller County 11 and County Road 112. The ranch lies in the Fourmile Valley, near the Dome Rock State Wildlife Area. Palmer Land Trust purchased a conservation easement on 290 acres of the ranch, protecting one of the regions most productive and scenic hay grounds. The Gaffney Ranch lies adjacent to other Palmer protected areas, such as the Hatton Ranch.
The Gaffney Ranch includes ponderosa pine woodland, riparian shrubland, montane grassland, graminoid wetland, rock outcrop, and irrigated pasture habitats, and also hosts significant segments and the confluences of two creeks that form the headwaters of the Arkansas River: Fourmile Creek and West Foumile Creek. As identified by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the ranch provides exceptional habitat for black bear, wild turkey, mule deer and elk.
In the Dome Rock region of Teller County, Palmer Land Trust has completed or is in the process of completing twelve additional conservation transactions within 5 miles of the property. Collectively, these transactions create a privately conserved area of over 3,000 acres.
Learn more about our efforts in the Dome Rock Area by clicking here.
Learn more about our efforts along the 18-mile Conservation Corridor by clicking here.
Photograph provided by John Fielder.
