Friends, neighbors and supporters of the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust gathered to celebrate another year of protecting working ranches at the Annual Roundup Barbecue Aug. 25 at the Budd-Espenscheid Ranches near Big Piney. Hosted by landowners Chad & Gudrid Espenscheid and Brian & Annie Espenscheid, the Roundup Barbecue highlighted the value of ranchland conservation with a tour of their conserved property.
The conservation easements on Budd Ranches, Inc and Espenscheid Holdings, LLC will conserve 5,841 and 4,650 acres, respectively, of ranchland in Sublette County. Brian and Chad Espenscheid, brothers and partners in both operations, believe that this conservation easement will facilitate the family’s responsibility and desire to hold the ranch together and improve upon it in the future.
The Roundup Barbecue included a steak dinner by Old Wyoming Catering and Events music by Roughstock Records – Jared Rogerson. Brian Espenscheid talk about why they chose to conserve property with easements. As in years past, the highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 2012 Kurt Bucholz Conservation Award recipient, a closely held secret each year. Each year we present belt buckles to landowners who complete a conservation easement with us. This year we celebrfated the closings on the Mowry Ranch in Carbon County, Oxbow Ranch in Big Horn County, Schmidt Farm in Fremont County, Mishurada Mountain Ranches in Hot Springs County and of course on the Budd-Espenscheid Ranches. The mission of the Stock Growers Land Trust was also generously supported through bidders in the live auction presided over by auctioneer Joe Thomas. The unrestricted revenue raised will strengthen our effectiveness as a statewide organization and dramatically increase our ability to promote land conservation throughout the coming year. Thank you to our many generous sponsors, auction donors and to the Big Piney and Marbleton communities for your tremendous support and hospitality.
Thank you Brian for an unforgetable description of the easement on “umpty-ump” arces of your family property.