Sutherland Company Ranch: Conserving a legacy in the San Luis Valley

By JOCELYN CATTERSON, Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust 
Posted 1/25/25

DEL NORTE — The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) proudly announces the successful conservation of the historic Sutherland Company Ranch, marking our 60th conservation easement and a major milestone of over 35,000 acres conserved across the San Luis Valley. 

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Sutherland Company Ranch: Conserving a legacy in the San Luis Valley

Posted

DEL NORTE — The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) proudly announces the successful conservation of the historic Sutherland Company Ranch, marking our 60th conservation easement and a major milestone of over 35,000 acres conserved across the San Luis Valley. 

Located in Saguache County, the 1,800-acre Sutherland Company Ranch is steeped in history. In the early days of the valley, this ranch played a vital role in the cattle industry. When the railroad extended to Moffat, cattle from across the region were staged at this ranch before being loaded onto trains bound for destinations across the West. Today, the ranch is still actively managed for cattle and hay production under the stewardship of Lynn Sutherland, who has dedicated her life to this land and its history. 

With over 1,200 acres of wetlands, the ranch provides critical habitat for wildlife, including migrating Sandhill Cranes, big game species, and the at-risk Horned Lark. Protecting this ranch from increasing development pressures ensures that its vibrant ecosystems and historical legacy remain intact for future generations. 

“We are honored to partner with Lynn Sutherland to conserve this unique piece of San Luis Valley history,” said RiGHT Executive Director, Laura Cusick. “Landowners like Lynn, who have a deep commitment to stewardship and conservation, make our work possible.” 

2024 has been a monumental year for RiGHT, as we also celebrate the completion of the Broken Box II Ranch conservation easement. This 160-acre property near Alamosa features rare playa wetlands sustained by artesian wells, providing vital habitat for the Greater Sandhill Crane. Combined with the adjacent easement completed in 2022, this project secures 400 acres of critical habitat and open space. As Jonathan Lopez, the ranch’s owner, reflected, “It feels good looking out over our place in the evening now knowing that it will look just like this in 200 years.” 

These projects, along with other easements closed in 2024, have brought RiGHT’s 2024 conservation efforts to a total of 3,765 acres in the San Luis Valley, including 2,177 acres of wetlands and over 15 miles of riparian corridors, contributing to the health of the Rio Grande watershed and the region’s agricultural heritage. 

The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust remains committed to protecting the land, water, and way of life that define the San Luis Valley. To learn more about our work or support future conservation projects, visit www.rightslv.org.