Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust

The Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust (WSGALT) held its annual banquet in Saratoga Saturday

WSGALT was founded in Saratoga. The driving forces behind it were Dr. John Lunt and Joe Glode who worked together to establish WSGALT.

Lunt and his wife, Suzie, returned to Saratoga for the event, which was held at the Sheep Rock Ranch owned by Joe and Jack Glode. Sheep Rock Ranch was the first ranch to have a conservation easement under WSGALT. Glode told the record breaking crowd that on Dec. 21, 2001, the easement for the north end of Sheep Rock Ranch along the North Platte was established.

Today, 189,305 acres of working landscapes have been conserved through WSGALT, according to the website. The conservation easements are used by the Stock Growers Land Trust to maintain working ranches and agricultural landscapes for generations to come.

The conservation easements are voluntary agreements and limit the amount and type of development on a property. The conservations easements are used to preserve the land’s productive capacity and open character and usually transfer with the sale of the land.

Mike Healy, owner of the LU Ranch between Thermopolis and Meeteesee was awarded the 2013 Kurt Bucholz Award.

WSGALT and Laura Bucholz created the Kurtz Bucholz Conservation Award in 2008 to be presented annually to an individual who personifies Kurt’s conservation values, especially those that protect and nourish Wyoming working ranches.

Kurt passed away in 2006 of a rare cancer. Kurt devoted county hours to his county and state, was involved in state and water issues and worked to protect the Upper North Platte Valley’s water rights.

Past recipients of the award have been Bob Budd (2012), Jim Chant (2011), Joe Glode (2010), Dr. John Lunt (2009) and Dennis Sun (2008).