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Circle Ranch in West Texas

Experience From the High Deserts of Texas to the Rocky Mountain West.

For 20 years, our family owned and managed Circle Ranch, 32,000 acres of high desert located in the Sierra Diablo Mountains of far-West Texas. Our goal? Leaving the land more diverse, and therefore healthier, than we found it.

Our Philosophy

Wildlife and habitat only prosper when their ecosystem is in balance.

A pronghorn herd in desert grasslands of West Texas

Our Resources

The objective of biodiversity conservation is to maintain viable native animal and plant populations of all kind.

a native Elk roaming the desert grasslands of West Texas

Elk Removals Featured

Are Elk Native to Texas--Historical and Archaeological Evidence for the Natural Occurence of Elk in Texas

This paper began as an effort to persuade Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to cease its efforts to eradicate elk on the state lands which it manages in far-West Texas. Our assumption was that TPWD was acting out of a sincere misunderstanding of science, which could be corrected.

Wild Horses Can Help Prevent Forest Fires

Wild Horses Can Help Prevent Forest Fires

Horses don’t tear out the roots of plants while grazing, unlike cattle and sheep, says Simpson.

'Prairie Strips' Bring Beauty to Farms With Big Environmental Benefits

'Prairie Strips' Bring Beauty to Farms With Big Environmental Benefits

Farmers in Iowa have added “prairie strips” alongside rows of corn and soybeans to help halt serious environmental challenges inherent to farming.

Generation Regeneration: ‘A New Era of Farming Talent’

Regenerative Ranching

Generation Regeneration: ‘A New Era of Farming Talent’

Last year, a third more tenancies were awarded to new entrants than 10 years ago. Many are breaking the rules, and promising to restore not just soil health, but the value of the industry

Award for Volunteer Team’s Wild Horse Music Video

Wild Horse Fire Brigade

Award for Volunteer Team’s Wild Horse Music Video

A music video created by a collective of wild horse advocates won its category at the Equus Film and Arts Festival.

Bees Are Buzzing

Bees Are Buzzing

Honeybees have made a big comeback since the colony collapse crisis. Now these tiny creatures are the fastest-growing type of livestock in the country

Rare Creature Seen for First Time Since 2018, Vermont Officials Say. ‘That’s No Bobcat’

Rare Creature Seen for First Time Since 2018, Vermont Officials Say. ‘That’s No Bobcat’

A rare big cat, seen for the first time in six years, is causing excitement in a Vermont county.

Restoring Sonoran Desert Grasslands with Cattle

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Sonoran Desert Grasslands with Cattle

The Cuenca Los Ojos Foundation works to preserve and restore the biodiversity of the US/Mexican borderlands through land protection, habitat restoration and wildlife reintroduction.

Against the Herd

Against the Herd

The film showcases Agee Smith's family ranch, Cottonwood Ranch in northeastern Nevada, as a prime example of a family operation who were granted an experimental permit and have used cattle as a tool to restore the landscape.

Keyline 101: Desert Grassland Restoration

Yeomans Keyline

Keyline 101: Desert Grassland Restoration

This video was filmed in the Sierra Diablo Mountains, Hudspeth County, far-West Texas, for presentation at the Quivira Coalition Conference in Albuquerque, November 11, 2015.

Northamptonshire Villagers Argue Against Solar Farms on Fields

Northamptonshire Villagers Argue Against Solar Farms on Fields

Villagers living near a planned multi-site solar farm have said the facility should be built on warehouse roofs instead of farmers' fields.

Cougar vs. Bear

Cougar vs. Bear

A bobcat would not typically engage with a bear unless absolutely necessary for survival or defense of its young. But it happens….

Native Tribes Protest Plan to Cull Wild Bison in Yellowstone

Native Tribes Protest Plan to Cull Wild Bison in Yellowstone

The National Park Service says the plan is essential because there are more bison in the park than there is space to accommodate them

"Invasion Biology"

Wildlife in the High-Desert Mountains of Far-West Texas

Desert Mountain Wildlife #3 – part of a series on wildlife pictures

Restoring Biodiversity - 12/17/2024

Restoring Biodiversity - 12/17/2024

Colorado release five wolves via reintroduction program. A common sense solution for the wild horse 'problem.' Lassen Volcanic National Park authorities confirm the presence of gray wolves. And more...

Colorado Releases 5 Wolves in Reintroduction Program Approved by Voters

wolf management plan

Colorado Releases 5 Wolves in Reintroduction Program Approved by Voters

The release culminates a process three years in the making when in 2020 voters narrowly approved reintroducing wolves by the end of 2023 west of the Continental Divide.

Northern California Wild Horse Non-Profit Owner Looks to Make Federal Change Through BLM

Wild Horse Fire Brigade

Northern California Wild Horse Non-Profit Owner Looks to Make Federal Change Through BLM

“Once you understand the benefits they give to the landscape when they’re in the right place, you have an ‘aha moment’ and see these horses can provide $500 million in value to American taxpayers.”

Dangerous Predator Once Thought Extinct Spotted at National Park

Dangerous Predator Once Thought Extinct Spotted at National Park

Park authorities confirmed the presence of the rare species.