Trees Ranch, a privately owned 2,066 acre property near Zion National Park, is for sale.
Why do I care? In my former life as a wildlife biologist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, I spent several beautiful weeks studying the toads and looking for the endangered (and controversial) Kanab Ambersnail on the East Fork of the Virgin River behind the Trees property. Because of his conservation ethic, Jim Trees’ ranch in Springdale Utah has for decades protected an entire reach of the Virgin River, along with its natural and historical resources. An example of what it means to be a good steward of land, Trees planted Utah’s first organic apple orchard, The Springdale Fruit Company, one of my favorite lunch stops when I’m guiding backpacking trips near Zion.
With its $30 million dollar price tag, let’s hope this well-preserved plot of land falls in the hands of someone who commands as much respect as Trees.