News Story
Environment
The Optimist Daily · 27 days ago
Elk Win the Right of Way in Colorado Thanks to a rancher’s Bold Conservation Deal | the Optimist Daily
In the vast expanse of Park County, Colorado, where elk trace ancient migratory paths, a gentle evolution in land stewardship unfolds. Dave Gottenborg, a rancher with the fortitude to see beyond immediate losses, opens his 3,000-acre Eagle Rock Ranch to provide a seamless passage for thousands of elk each winter. This partnership, a product of collaboration between Gottenborg and conservationists, ensures that both wildlife and livelihoods find sustenance-a symbiotic arrangement where the rancher's leasing costs are relieved while the elk graze temporarily. Traditional conservation remains untouched, as Gottenborg states, "the elk belong to the people of Colorado," yet the act of feeding them remains a shared societal responsibility, challenging the notion of ownership with the question of care. It's not mere charity but a recalibration of incentives, powered by the belief that markets can preserve as much as they can produce. As curious eyes scan the evolving landscape, this delicate dance between nature and commerce proposes a resilient pathway for others pondering the balance between conservation and survival.
