Ellsbury Family Permanently Protects 2,500 Acres of Wyoming Ranch

Conservation easement ensures agricultural legacy and wildlife habitat will endure for generations.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 12:00am

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David Ellsbury has permanently protected 2,506 acres of the Ellsbury Diamond E Ranch northeast of Sundance, Wyoming through a conservation easement with the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust. The ranch has been in the Ellsbury family since 1884 and this easement ensures the property's agricultural operations and important wildlife habitat will be preserved for the future.

Why it matters

With development pressures increasing in Crook County, protecting large, intact working ranches like the Ellsbury Diamond E is crucial for conserving Wyoming's agricultural heritage and the state's wildlife-rich landscapes. This easement will help maintain the ecological integrity of the Black Hills region.

The details

The Ellsbury Diamond E Ranch consists primarily of native rangeland, forested areas, and around 300 acres of hay and cropland. The property provides important habitat for elk, mule deer, and aquatic species in the Powder River Basin Watershed. Funding for the conservation easement was provided by several organizations, including the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

  • The Ellsbury family has owned and operated the ranch since it was homesteaded in 1884.
  • The conservation easement was completed in March 2026.

The players

David Ellsbury

A fourth-generation rancher who owns and operates the Ellsbury Diamond E Ranch.

Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust

A nonprofit organization that worked with the Ellsbury family to establish the conservation easement on the ranch.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

A USDA agency that provided funding for the conservation easement through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

Wyoming Wildlife and Natural Resource Trust

A state agency that contributed funding to the conservation project.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

A nonprofit that provided additional funding for the conservation easement.

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What they’re saying

“My roots go back to my great grandfather who homesteaded this ranch before Wyoming was a state. I, along with my father and grandfather, invested our lifetimes working this ranch to provide for our livelihoods. With the threat of encroaching development looming across my fencelines, I felt the need to preserve and conserve my family's legacy and heritage for our future generations.”

— David Ellsbury, Ranch Owner

“With continued growth and subdivision pressures in Crook County, protecting large, intact working lands like the Ellsbury Diamond E Ranch has never been more important. Through a significant ACEP-ALE investment, we're helping conserve habitat that supports elk, mule deer, and crucial aquatic resources connected to the Powder River Basin Watershed. This easement ensures the ranch remains productive while maintaining the ecological integrity of the Black Hills landscape.”

— Jackie Byam, Wyoming NRCS State Conservationist

What’s next

The conservation easement is now in place, permanently protecting the Ellsbury Diamond E Ranch's agricultural operations and wildlife habitat for future generations.

The takeaway

This project demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships in conserving Wyoming's working lands and natural resources. By working with the Ellsbury family and leveraging funding from various conservation organizations, the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust was able to protect a significant piece of the state's agricultural and ecological heritage.