Even more of the land where the Soldier Ridge Trail System is located will now be permanently conserved, ensuring that its open space, productive ranchland, and community recreation opportunities will remain for generations to come.

On December 9, 2025, Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) announced the creation of the Ridgetop Natural Area and the Gillispie Draw Natural Area, including the new Hidden Hoot Conservation Easement. Together, these additions permanently protect nearly 544 acres — bringing the total conserved land on Sheridan’s growing western flank to nearly 2,100 acres.

This was made possible by landowner Don Roberts, who worked with SCLT to create a vision that balances conservation with housing. Roberts donated land to Sheridan Community Lands LLC, a sister entity of SCLT, and that will be part of a conservation subdivision. This approach allows some housing while ensuring a larger amount of land is conserved.

The result secures the future of open space, working ranchland, and public recreation access on the edge of Sheridan. Importantly, the sweeping vistas, wide-open space, and out-of-town feel that people love about Soldier Ridge Trail will remain intact. Because the trail corridor runs along conserved land, nothing about your experience visiting Soldier Ridge Trail will change.

John Graves, SCLT’s Director of Conservation, said, “This project shows how conservation and community growth can work together. Thanks to Don’s commitment, people will continue to have open views, working land, and trails close to home.”

Sheridan Community Lands LLC plays a key role. It can own land with conservation easements, while SCLT continues to monitor those easements. This model also includes third-party oversight through SCLT’s accreditation with the Land Trust Alliance, widely recognized as the national standard for land conservation.

The additional conserved lands are part of a newly created conservation subdivision on a tract of land in Gillispie Draw that was not previously conserved. This subdivision sets aside land permanently conserved by conservation easements while also allowing an animal-friendly neighborhood to be developed in Gillispie Draw and out of sight from the Soldier Ridge Trail. The newly conserved acres include large portions of both Soldier Ridge Trail and Hidden Hoot Trail, which were donated to Sheridan Community Lands LLC and placed under conservation easements held by SCLT.

Brad Bauer, SCLT’s Executive Director, explained, “This ensures land stays conserved forever while giving us flexibility to manage it for the community’s benefit. We can honor the conservation easement while also looking at new opportunities for people to enjoy the land.”

One example is the Hidden Hoot Trail. The land under this popular trail will be deeded to Sheridan Community Lands LLC, with a conservation easement held by SCLT. That means Hidden Hoot Trail will remain open and accessible for the community to enjoy, just like Soldier Ridge Trail.

Trail access for visitors is unchanged. While a new Gillispie Draw Road has been constructed, it does not provide access to any Sheridan Community Land Trust trails or properties. To protect private land and ensure a great experience for everyone, trail users should continue to enter the Soldier Ridge Trail System—including Soldier Ridge Trail and Hidden Hoot Trail—only through the designated trailheads and approved pathways.

Some opportunities for the newly conserved properties may include demonstration and stewardship projects related to ranching, agriculture, recreation, history, and education—similar to what SCLT has developed at the Big Goose Natural Area. SCLT has developed management plans for the property to provide the community with ways to connect with the land while keeping it open and productive.

“This isn’t just about conserving acres,” Graves added. “It’s about protecting the things that make Sheridan County a great place to live—working ranches, open space, and trails that everyone can enjoy.”

With this project, the Soldier Ridge area will see some change, but the bigger picture is one of lasting conservation. Sheridan County will grow, but thanks to partnerships like this one, it will grow with its open lands, ranching heritage, and community recreation intact.

For more information on how to conserve your land, visit SheridanCLT.org/Land/Conservation.