Preserving The American West

We did not “discover” the land that is now ZMR… Not even close.  For more than a milennia Native Americans cultivated the land and hunted the abundant wildlife.  Their evidence remains in the pithouses, petroglyphs, arrowheads and pottery shards.  A place we affectionately call “Indian Knoll” appears to be a central point for ancient life.  One cannot walk the knoll without experiencing the past.

For thousands of years, large herds of deer and other life have migrated  through and lived on the land that is now Zion Mountain Ranch.  Close study and care have resulted in the identification and protection of the natural migration routes to and through the heart of our community.

With the rising traffic due to the near National Parks, the area poses many environmental threats being a National Park “gateway area”. These threats include increased traffic and pollution, litter, noise, light pollution and the harmful effects posed to migrating wildlife. All these things take away from the magic of the outdoors and from visitor enjoyment. The National Park Service is charged with managing and protecting the parks themselves, but the agency’s authority does not extend beyond park borders, leaving conservation efforts in these “gateway communities” to private interests.

On August 11, 2011, Zion Mountain Ranch won the land conservation efforts of the 324 acre’s. This three-year effort between Zion Mountain Ranch and Virgin River Land Preservation Association (VRLPA) and other public and private donors rejoiced in securing this critical parcel in a permanent conservation easement, so it can be enjoyed by the future generations to come.