“Working with the landowners has been one of the most satisfying experiences in my career in wildlife conservation. “Peaceful Valley Ranch is a priority project for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Utah,” said Bill Christensen, the foundation’s Utah field director. If this generation does not step up, future generations will judge us harshly, and they should.” Recognizing the magnitude of the fundraising effort, he noted, “We get one chance at this. “This project is the embodiment, in my mind, of the ethic that needs to capture all of us,” said Governor Leavitt at a site visit to the ranch. In addition, protection of the property will safeguard a six-mile portion of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, portions of the Donner-Reed, the California Overland Stage, andthe Pony Express trails, as well as a historic farmhouse and a restored Pony Express station. The ranch also contains significant habitat for mule deer, moose, mountain lions, bobcats, song birds, bald eagles, golden eagles, sandhill cranes, blue heron, great horned owls, the American kestrel, and numerous other interesting and important wildlife species. Hundreds of migratory elk depend on the ranch at various times of the year. Protection of six miles of East Canyon Creek will greatly benefit water quality and fish and wildlife demands on this important water resource. Peaceful Valley Ranch is located in a vital watershed area known as East Canyon. “Private foundations, corporations, and individuals must come through now with the $810,000 needed to match the public donations or this unique part of Utah’s heritage will be developed and gone forever,” Barker stated emphatically. “We are in the most critical and last stages of this fundraising effort,” stated Des Barker, Utah Open Lands board member. Another $810,000 must be raised by June 1, 2000, to prevent development of the ranch and to permanently protect its numerous agricultural, historic, wildlife, and scenic values. The Utah Quality Growth Commission has allocated public funds of $750,000 to the effort from the LeRay McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund. SALT LAKE CITY, Utah: The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has awarded $100,000-the first major gift of private funds-to protect Peaceful Valley Ranch, a historically and environmentally significant property located in East Canyon.
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