ALCOVA, WYO. (October 19, 2026) — The Nationwide Audubon Society is proud to announce that Pathfinder Ensign Ranches has achieved Audubon’s Chook-Pleasant Land Certification. Earned by way of the Audubon Conservation Ranching program, the certification acknowledges working lands managed for birds, biodiversity, and the long-term resiliency of beef and bison operations. Traditionally often called the Pathfinder Ranch, the property is now owned by Ensign Ranches, which plans to proceed its legacy of conservation in Wyoming.
Audubon Conservation Ranching is a science-based certification program geared toward stabilizing the decline of grassland birds by way of direct partnerships with beef and bison producers. Since 1970, grassland birds have skilled the steepest population declines of any terrestrial biome as a consequence of pressures from habitat loss, woody encroachment, and intensive chemical use. Most grassland birds dwell on privately owned land, making partnerships with farmers and ranchers one of the vital efficient methods to boost habitat high quality and connectivity at scale.
Immediately, greater than 160 farms and ranches throughout america are licensed by way of Audubon Conservation Ranching, bringing round 4.7 million acres beneath bird-friendly administration. With 13 licensed ranches throughout greater than 1.4 million acres, Wyoming has the most important conservation footprint of any state the place this system is obtainable. After assembly rigorous requirements for habitat administration, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare, producers can use the Audubon Chook-Pleasant Land Certification seal in product advertising and packaging.
The Pathfinder encompasses a group of historic ranches in central Wyoming, all centered on managing the lands for conservation, innovation, and resilience. With grasslands, sagebrush steppe, and water assets just like the Pathfinder Reservoir, the ranch offers an expansive and ecologically vital behavior for grassland birds. The ranch additionally has important frontier historical past, with Oregon, Mormon, California, and Pony Categorical Trails crossing by way of the ranch. The earlier homeowners of the Pathfinder positioned nearly 18,000 acres of the ranch beneath a conservation easement with the Wyoming Inventory Growers Land Belief, which is able to shield these working lands in perpetuity.
“With its expansive sagebrush nation, native grasslands, and wholesome riparian corridors, Pathfinder Ensign Ranches offers distinctive habitat for a variety of hen species,” mentioned Cidney Useful, Vary Ecologist for the Audubon Conservation Ranching program in Wyoming. “The ranch sits in a key ecological transition zone, and the way in which it’s managed is extremely helpful for not solely our grassland birds however different wildlife as properly.”
Utilizing strategies like rotational and regenerative grazing, managers of Pathfinder Ensign Ranches create habitat heterogeneity throughout the panorama. Sure pastures obtain high-intensity, short-duration grazing, creating short-stature grassland favored by species such because the Mountain Plover and Horned Lark. In the meantime, close by pastures are given prolonged intervals of relaxation from grazing, permitting for taller plant construction utilized by species just like the Sage Thrasher, Brewer’s Sparrow, and Larger Sage-Grouse. The mix leads to more healthy soils, improved plant range, and stronger habitat resilience throughout the complete operation.
“Regenerative administration and focused habitat restoration are constructed into our ranching technique,” mentioned Chris Robinson, CEO of Ensign Ranches. “Audubon’s certification helps guarantee and monitor the worth of bird-friendly administration. What’s good for birds can be helpful for rangelands and the viability of our enterprise. We wish to assist treasured species in Wyoming, just like the Larger Sage-Grouse, that depend on our land for breeding and foraging.”
The Pathfinder is the nation’s first and most expansive Larger Sage-Grouse conservation financial institution, preserving among the largest remaining contiguous habitat for this species. Along with birds, Pathfinder Ensign Ranches creates important habitats for elk, deer, and pronghorn. The ranch is partnering with Wyoming Recreation and Fish to introduce bighorn sheep into the Sweetwater Rocks, which beforehand had not seen a local inhabitants for over a century.
Underneath the Ensign Ranches’ new possession, the Pathfinder stays dedicated to robust land stewardship by way of regenerative grazing and lively involvement in wildlife habitat initiatives and conservation analysis. Enrollment within the Audubon Conservation Ranching program will strongly complement these goals and efforts that align with the ranch’s objectives to boost habitat heterogeneity for grassland birds.
About Audubon Conservation Ranching
Audubon Conservation Ranching companions with ranchers to maintain wholesome grasslands, ample birdlife, and resilient rural communities. Via our bird-friendly land certification and science-based strategy, we empower land stewards to boost habitat, enhance soil well being and water high quality, and strengthen the connection between conservation and ranching. By buying merchandise from Audubon Licensed Chook-Pleasant Land, customers turn out to be conservationists, serving to shield America’s grasslands and the birds, wildlife, and those who rely upon them. For extra data, go to www.audubon.org/ranching.
