A Wyoming ranch, larger than Rhode Island, has a new owner. Christopher Robinson, a local official, bought the 916,000-acre Pathfinder Ranches through his family’s company, The Ensign Group L.C. The purchase ended months of speculation and was completed on January 14, though the final price remains undisclosed. It was listed for $79.5 million last summer.
Pathfinder Ranches covers about 1% of Wyoming’s land. At 1,431 square miles, it’s almost as big as Delaware and dwarfs New York City, which spans around 300 square miles. Interestingly, it even surpasses the fictional Dutton Ranch from the hit TV series “Yellowstone,” which ranges between 775,000 and 825,000 acres.
In today’s landscape of land ownership, Stan Kroenke stands out as America’s largest private landowner, controlling approximately 2.7 million acres. Following him is Ted Turner, with two million acres across the Southeast and West. Robinson himself, already a substantial landholder, added Pathfinder to his existing million acres. Just four years ago, he purchased a neighboring ranch of 86,000 acres.
Pathfinder Ranches features four key properties scattered across the Rocky Mountains, largely enveloping the Pathfinder Reservoir. This vast land includes over 20 miles of the Sweetwater River and parts of several mountain ranges. Notably, Independence Rock is a significant landmark here, lying along historic trails traveled by early pioneers.
According to Robinson, reuniting these lands serves both business and conservation goals. “We love land and water,” he shared, emphasizing his intention to sustainably manage the ranch for livestock. With a vision not just of profit but also stewardship, Robinson exemplifies a new wave of landowners who see value beyond economic gain.
The dynamics of land ownership are changing. As environmental concerns rise, more landowners focus on long-term conservation. Robinson’s approach reflects this shift; he aims to run his livestock in harmony with the land’s natural resources.
In recent social media trends, land ownership and conservation have become hot topics. Many users express interest in sustainable practices and advocate for responsible stewardship. This growing awareness could influence how we view land ownership in the future.
In short, the story of Pathfinder Ranches highlights the intersection of land, business, and environmental stewardship, paving the way for a new understanding of what it means to be a landowner today.
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