The Medano Zapata Ranch Bison and Conservancy

The Medano Zapata Ranch is shown in yellow. Great Sand Dunes National Park is in light pink.

During the recent Walking Mountains Cranes Invitational, we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful Medano Zapata Ranch.

The Medano Zapata Ranch is owned by the Nature Conservancy and contains about 100,000 acres of land surrounding the Great Sand Dunes National Park.  This land and working ranch hosts the largest conservation herd of Bison in the United States. The diverse landscape is home to high desert grasslands, alpine forests, wetlands, sand dunes, creeks and lush meadows offering one of the most scenic panoramas in Colorado.  The Zapata conversation philosophy is best outlined in their own words:

"The Zapata ranch manages a herd of 2,500 bison. We supply meat for commercial markets as well as for grass fed/finished markets. Our ranch management philosophy combines old ways of living and ranching on the land with new and innovative ideas in conservation and land management. We strive to manage the land in a way that mimics natural grazing patterns, which have existed for thousands of years in high desert grasslands."

They achieve conservation using several different methods:

• By employing monitoring transects to analyze grazing programs and make management decisions.
• Through the study bison, elk and other plant and wildlife populations and map findings scientifically.
• Via the implementation of intensive time-controlled cattle and grazing programs which help to achieve land stewardship goals that improve the soil, water table and health of the ecosystem.

Zapata ranchers follow a strict herd management policy that falls in line with natural selection.  High performance standards are expected of the herd as a whole.  Animals that excel within their natural environment are left alone while those that fall behind are culled.  This lends to an overall genetic superiority and a herd that is well adapted to the natural environment.

If you ever get a chance to visit the Medano Zapata Ranch, take the opportunity - the facilities, food and surroundings are fantastic!