December 2019

This agricultural conservation easement supports farming and wildlife.

The Land Trust enters into its first agricultural conservation easement with the Keane Family of Douglas County. The Keane Ranch is in the heart of the strongest remaining population of Greater sage-grouse in Washington State, which has lost over 90% of its historic range due to habitat loss and fragmentation. This agreement supports farming and protects habitat for the imperiled greater sage-grouse. This permanently protects the Keane Ranch from development and connects the ranch’s 6,724 acres with adjacent state, federal and private lands. Combined, the amount of land protected and usable by Greater sage-grouse and other wildlife exceeds 8,000 acres.