Special Place: The Greil Ranch in Washoe Valley

Nevada Land Conservancy is pleased to announce that the 113 acre Greil Ranch located on the east side of Washoe Lake is now protected by our organization's first conservation easement designed to protect the agriculture values and wildlife habitat in perpetuity. We are also proud that project funding was provided by the first USDA Farm and Ranchland Protection Program project in the state of Nevada, as well as funds from the 2002 State Conservation and Resource Protection Grant bond program.

Jim Greil was raised on this land, and he and his wife Lou wish to maintain the ranch's character in perpetuity. "We feel as if we are visitors and it is our responsibility to steward the resources for the wildlife and keep the land open." The ranch abuts State Park land to the west and BLM land to the east and therefore provides an important access for wildlife.

The Greil Ranch produces high-quality certified weed-free alfalfa hay. In addition to cropland, the ranch contains healthy native sagebrush habitat for a vast array of wildlife, including mule deer, mountain lion, bobcat, ducks, geese, raptors, great horned owls and numerous other bird species. The ranch also includes ponds popular with waterfowl and wildlife.

Jim and Lou Greil approached the Nevada Land Conservancy to assist them in protecting their ranch, and with financial support from the federal Farm and Ranchland Protection Program and Nevada's State Question One, a conservation easement was realized in 2006.

The Greil Ranch is located in Washoe Valley between Carson City and Reno, and is easily one of Nevada's "special" places. The valley is known for its azure skies, lush green pastures, abundant wildlife habitat, and diverse recreational opportunities.