Greater sandhill crane. Photo Credit: Michael Menefee
The Mt. Harris ranch is nestled in 17,000 acres of conserved land within Routt County, Colorado. Just 18 miles west of Steamboat Springs and bordered by the Yampa River, the ranch is an outstanding wildlife habitat. Greater Sandhill Cranes and bald eagles forage here. Both are species of Special Concern, and preserving freshwater wetlands, including marshes, wet grasslands and river basins for these birds ensures their survival.
Threats to sandhill cranes include habitat loss, wetland loss and development, which is why conservation of land is critical to their survival. Sandhill cranes are the only crane species found in Colorado and have been part of Colorado's ecology for all of known history!
Sandhills most often eat plants and grains, but also dine on invertebrates and even small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Their nest sites are almost always closely associated with water and always on the ground. Routt County is a primary nesting site in Colorado, and the Yampa River Valley serves as a resting and feeding area for sandhill cranes during migration season.
These beauties have an interesting and distinctive call: both the males and females make a rattling "kar-r-r-r- o-o-o" sound. In keeping with the calls of the sandhill cranes we say, "Thank y- o-o-o-o u for your support!"
Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust conserved the Mt. Harris ranch thanks in part to a Transaction Cost Assistance grant from Keep It Colorado.
About the project: Located along the Yampa River in Routt County, the Mt. Harris property is located in a former coal production area, and today is an important wetland and riparian habitat corridor. It is home to and provides safe passage for numerous wildlife including elk, mule deer, black bear, moose and mountain lion, as well as range habitat for sandhill crane and bald eagle. Conservation will remove all subdivision rights; limit the total number of permitted residences and residential square footage; and permanently protect a vital segment of the Yampa River corridor.
Yampa River - Mt. Harris
Yampa River and rock escarpment - Mt. Harris
Mt. Harris historical marker
