Nature Conservancy buys Idaho ranch

The Nature Conservancy has announced the purchase of the Cottom Ranch, located north of Leadore in the Lemhi Valley. The Conservancy is currently seeking a conservation buyer for the property. The 1356-acre ranch provides key spawning habitat for salmon, steelhead and resident rainbow and bull trout. The upland portions of the property are used by elk, mule deer and sage grouse. The Conservancy will focus its protection on the river corridor and will ensure protection of a small spring creek that provides additional native fish habitat. The project will balance the need for irrigation with adequate flows for native fish. The Nature Conservancy is conserving a place salmon would die for. As part of the Conservancy’s commitment to keep working ranches working, the organization plans to sell the property to a conservation buyer, protecting it for its wildlife while continuing its historic use as a working ranch...Nature Conservancy