Forked Lightning Ranch, in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Pecos, New Mexico, has passed through notable hands over decades. Texas oilman Buddy Fogelson bought it in 1941; after marrying actress Greer Garson in 1949, the ranch became known for entertaining guests. Following Fogelson's 1987 death, Garson donated part of the property to the National Park Service, forming part of Pecos National Historical Park. Jane Fonda purchased what remained in 2000 and worked to conserve its natural communities until selling it in 2015. A conservation easement, completed by the New Mexico Land Conservancy in 2018, later protected 2,229 acres, including nearly four miles of the Pecos River.
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How has Forked Lightning Ranch protected wildlife habitat over time
After acquiring the remaining original ranch in 2000, Fonda worked to conserve and improve its natural communities. According to the New Mexico Land Conservancy, she continued this work until the property was sold to new owners in 2015.
The Conservancy describes Forked Lightning Ranch as having important conservation values, including agriculture, scenic open space and wildlife habitat. The property also contains historic sites and includes nearly four miles of the Pecos River running through the ranch.
How did conservation easements protect Forked Lightning Ranch
The New Mexico Land Conservancy began protecting the ranch through conservation easements in three phases, starting in June 2010 and ending in October 2018. The Conservancy records the project as a donated conservation easement covering the ranch in San Miguel County.
In October 2018, the Conservancy completed a new easement that added 403 acres to the existing protected area, bringing the total covered by the conservation easement to 2,229 acres. The new easement combined two previous easements with the additional acreage.
What did the easement preserve at Forked Lightning Ranch
The New Mexico Land Conservancy states that the easement protects the entire Forked Lightning Ranch and preserves the integrity of the property by removing the potential for selling off portions of the ranch in the future. The organisation identifies wildlife habitat, agricultural land and scenic open space among the property's conservation values.
The Conservancy also notes that nearly four miles of the Pecos River run through the ranch and that several historic sites are located on the property. The completed 2018 easement therefore brought the previously protected areas and the additional 403 acres together under protection covering 2,229 acres of the ranch.
