White River Valley - December 2004

The South Fork of the White River meanders through the Stillwater Valley nourishing eight miles of lush riparian vegetation, meadows and forests within the YZ Ranch. Wildlife is abundant and the incredibly scenic views of the pastoral valley and surrounding forest lands are commanding.

 

These exceptional features will remain a legacy of the White River Valley, a result of the extraordinary leadership and commitment made by the Wheeler Family.  At year’s end, 2004, the Wheelers donated a conservation easement on the historic YZ Ranch, a signature landscape of Rio Blanco County.    

 

The YZ Ranch is nestled in the Stillwater Valley and is surrounded on three sides by White River National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands.  Additionally, the Ranch is proximate to the Flat Tops Wilderness Area.  Approximately 8-12 miles of the South Fork of the White River threads this 5,280-acre property which is operated primarily for hay production.  The grazing of livestock is carefully balanced in the overall management of the YZ Ranch to ensure protection of sensitive riparian areas and other outstanding wildlife habitat.

 

The Wheeler Family’s exemplary land stewardship and management of the YZ Ranch has been and remains a key factor in maintaining the high ecological and scenic values of the property.  The Colorado Natural Heritage Program (a sponsored program of Colorado State University) identifies the YZ Ranch as one of the best managed agricultural properties in Colorado. 
 

The YZ Ranch conservation easement protects a multitude of conservation values.  Denise Culver, CNHP ecologist, cites that the YZ Ranch provides “a good example of an intact riparian wetland and a globally rare montane woodland plant association.”  Additionally, the diverse terrain and vegetation of the property provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species including: elk, deer, bald eagles, osprey, other raptors, sandhill crane, songbirds, a variety of waterfowl, black bear, mountain lion and several fish species.

 

The YZ Ranch was assembled by Alphonzo Bell in the 1920’s.  The best known structure on the ranch known as the “Rock House” was constructed in 1930.  After Bell, there were several owners before the ranch was purchased by Winston Wheeler and Lee Phillips late in 1954.  The Wheeler Family purchased the Phillips’ interest in the Ranch in 2001. 

“Four generations of our family have enjoyed and appreciated the Ranch.  My sister and I have always hoped to keep the YZ Ranch intact and operating to preserve the open space and beauty of the South Fork Valley.  The conservation easement assures this,” stated Ross Wheeler, who along with his sister Mary Wheeler Floyd, own the YZ Ranch and donated the conservation easement to the Yampa Valley Land Trust.

 “Yampa Valley Land Trust is honored to have this incredible opportunity to work with the Wheeler Family.  The YZ Ranch conservation project is an outstanding example of the best of what Northwest Colorado has to offer,” stated Susan Dorsey Otis, Executive Director of the Yampa Valley Land Trust. 

“When I was asked to serve on the Board of the Yampa Valley Land Trust at the time of its inception, I wanted to be sure that the White River Valley was included as a part of YVLT’s conservation project area,” stated Gary Cogswell, YVLT Board Member.  Cogswell goes on to state, “Coming to the White River Valley to live as a young teenager, it has always been my fondest desire to see this majestic Valley protected for future generations to enjoy as much as I have enjoyed it – both in my youth and as an adult.  I sincerely appreciate the Wheeler Family’s vision for the future of their property and hope that the YZ Ranch conservation project elevates interest in land conservation and encourages others to consider conservation of this irreplaceable resource as an option.”