Environmental
A vital 437-acre piece of the Paradise Valley landscape has been permanently protected through a voluntary conservation easement established by the Nickelson family in partnership with Northern Yellowstone Open Lands, a regional initiative of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT).
Located along Mill Creek—the largest tributary to the Upper Yellowstone River—the Nickelson Ranch primarily consists of pasture and rangeland, which currently supports hay production and grazing. Bordering the recently conserved Warfield Ranch that in turn connects to U.S. Forest Service land, this site also offers a unique habitat for species iconic to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. With multi-generational roots in the valley and strong agricultural and open space values, the Nickelson family did not want to see the property subdivided.
“Our dad always said, ‘You can’t make more land,’” explained Jennifer Nickelson Triplett, who grew up on the ranch with her parents and two siblings. “When it’s gone, it’s gone. You take care of what you have. It’s not just for today. It’s for future generations.”
The Nickelsons chose to establish a conservation easement to ensure the property remains intact and can continue to support and maintain agricultural production into the future.
“Agricultural America is under fire and has been for so long,” continued Triplett. “If you can preserve the ability to have a piece of agricultural ground stay in agriculture—what a blessing!”
The property’s flat, scenic, and accessible terrain made it particularly vulnerable to fragmentation and development.
“We are grateful for the Nickelsons’ commitment to maintaining the legacy of agricultural lands in the Paradise Valley,” said Cole Herdman, Northern Yellowstone Open Lands program manager. “The opportunity to conserve lands that are adjacent to each other and nearby to public lands is a win-win for working lands, wildlife, and our community as a whole.”
In a letter of support for the project, Park County Planning Board Chairman Zachary Park wrote, “It is encouraging to see active efforts in protecting and preserving Park County’s natural beauty and wildlife for the enjoyment of all.”
The project was made possible by the Nickelson family’s commitment to open space and agriculture, and their generous donation of property value to create the conservation easement. The project was also made possible, in part, by funding from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Atira Conservation Foundation, Cross Charitable Foundation, Heart of the Rockies Initiative's Keep It Connected Program, Park County Community Foundation, GVLT’s Penelope S. Pierce Quick Strike Opportunity Fund, and a generous contribution from an anonymous donor.
Since 1995, GVLT has partnered with 22 families to conserve over 22,000 acres of working farms and ranches, critical wildlife habitat, and scenic open space in Park County. Its Northern Yellowstone Open Lands initiative brings an increased, place-based focus to conservation throughout the county.
What is a conservation easement?
Northern Yellowstone Open Lands partners with private landowners to conserve working farms and ranches, fish and wildlife habitat, open lands, and scenic views. To protect these special places, Northern Yellowstone Open Lands uses conservation easements, which are voluntary agreements with landowners that limit the type and amount of development on a property while keeping it in private ownership. Each easement is tailored to the specific property and runs with the title of the land in perpetuity. Landowners may receive income tax or cash incentives for completing a conservation easement, which previous participants have used to reinvest in their agricultural operation, purchase additional land, or finance generational transitions on the ranch. Conservation easements do not change the taxable value of agricultural land. The public benefits from the protection of conservation values such as prime agricultural soils, wildlife habitat, river corridors, and the overall character of our region.
About Northern Yellowstone Open Lands
Northern Yellowstone Open Lands is a regional initiative of Gallatin Valley Land Trust serving Park County, Montana, landowners and communities who are committed to preserving the region’s unparalleled natural landscapes and working lands. For more information and to support our work, visit northernyellowstoneopenlands.org.