Serving Working Lands Across Sheridan and Johnson Counties

SCLT to Host Conservation Easement Information Meeting in Buffalo

Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) will host a public information meeting for Johnson County landowners on Saturday, April 11, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Johnson County Public Library, Twing Room, in Buffalo. The meeting will provide a straight talk about conservation easements and practical conservation options available to Johnson County families.

Below is background on why SCLT is bringing its conservation easement program to Johnson County:

Why is SCLT working in Johnson County?

SCLT has the capacity to preserve and protect additional ranches within the greater Sheridan community. Many families live and work across both Sheridan and Johnson counties, traveling back and forth for work, family, sports, shopping, and recreation. We view this as one connected community, which is why expanding our conservation easement program into Johnson County is a natural fit.

The landscapes of Johnson County, like those in Sheridan County, are vital working lands. They are home to hard-working families who help feed our communities while providing open space, scenic views, and wildlife habitat that benefit everyone. Conservation easements are a voluntary tool that helps preserve the legacy of these lands. However, access to this tool has not always been available to some Johnson County families due to limitations related to ranch size or financial capacity.

SCLT is a regional land trust with 20 years of experience in this region. We have the resources to professionally coordinate, complete, hold, and steward conservation easements. SCLT holds land that is leased to producers, is a member of the Working Lands Collaborative, the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Ag and Natural Resources Committee and is nationally accredited by the Land Trust Alliance.

Our work in Johnson County will complement — not replace — our continued commitment to Sheridan County landowners. We are ready to work with families in both counties who want to explore whether a voluntary conservation easement is the right tool for their land.

Johnson County landowners are invited to attend the April 11 meeting to learn more, ask questions, and decide for themselves whether a voluntary conservation easement or related stewardship tools may be a good fit for their family and operation.

For more information, please contact SCLT Director of Conservation and Resource Management John Graves. He can be reached by email at John@SheridanCLT.org, by phone at (307) 673-4702, or by visiting https://sheridanclt.org/johnson-county/.