New easements protect land along Big Hole, in Centennial

By Nick Gevock - 01/16/2008

A southwest Montana landowner has placed conservation easements barring development on more than 8,500 acres of land in the Centennial Valley and lower Big Hole River.

Peggy Dulany, a member of the Rockefeller family, donated the easements on her J Bar L Ranch to the Nature Conservancy of Montana. The easements cover 6,330 acres in the Centennial Valley and an additional 2,190 acres on the lower Big Hole River near Twin Bridges.

Dulany said in a press release that although she’s not originally a rancher, she’s learned a great deal from her neighbors and respects how people in the livestock industry care for their land. That’s why she wanted to keep her land in agriculture forever.

“I want to contribute to the effort to preserve this remote valley’s ranching history and rich wildlife habitat,” she said.

Dulany was traveling in Israel Tuesday and could not be reached for comment, said Tana Kappel, conservancy spokeswoman. A world traveler, Dulany works with the Synergos Institute, an organization that aims to tackle poverty and other issues.

The Red Rock River meanders through the Centennial property, while the other portion of the ranch includes the Big Hole River.

Kappel said Dulany bought the property in 2000. Since then she’s raised cattle, kept horses and uses the ranch as retreat for guests and people who gather to discuss conservation issues. Kappel said Dulany has a fondness for the property and a respect for the ranching lifestyle.

“She loves it out there,” Kappel said.

The easement further adds to large scale land protection that the conservancy has undertaken in the Centennial Valley. Its remote location and harsh winter climate have kept the valley undeveloped.

It’s used by ranchers as summer forage for cattle and has a reputation for producing highly nutritious grass. To date, roughly 45,000 acres out of 100,000 in private ownership throughout the valley has been protected through easements.

Part of the J Bar L abuts the north and west sides of the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. The ranch supports numerous wildlife species, including antelope, seasonal elk and predators including grizzly bears and wolves, said Tim Swanson of the conservancy.

Reporter Nick Gevock may be reached at nick.gevock@mtstandard.com.