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Sheridan Community Land Trust reports Big Goose opening, trail use and conservation work
Summary
Brad Bauer, executive director of the Sheridan Community Land Trust, briefed commissioners on upcoming events, five conservation easements in progress, a pilot interest in virtual fencing for ranchers, opening of the Big Goose Natural Area and trail-use data showing more than 75,000 visits in the past 12 months.
The Sheridan Community Land Trust (SCLT) provided its quarterly update to the Board of County Commissioners on April 21, reporting on events, conservation projects and visitor use at county trails and natural areas.
Executive Director Brad Bauer told commissioners the SCLT will host an archaeology event called Unearthing the Past on May 17 at the Big Goose Natural Area and is nearing completion of a third historic-preservation easement in partnership with the Sheridan County Historic Preservation Commission. Bauer said the trust has five conservation easements in progress and is exploring a pilot to bring virtual-fencing technology to three interested agricultural producers.
Bauer announced that the Big Goose Natural Area—part of a former NSI property—opened for public use for fishing, walking and demonstration agriculture. He said the SCLT had expected an AmeriCorps team to assist with trails and conservation work this summer but lost that support because of federal funding cuts; the trust will revise plans to cover the lost capacity.
On recreation and economic impact, Bauer said SCLT’s infrared trail counters recorded more than 75,000 trail uses in the last 12 months and that an estimated 15% of those users were from out of town; using figures from Sheridan Travel and Tourism, he presented a $7 million estimate of visitor spending tied to those trail users. The trust also uses game cameras at trailheads to monitor use and potential misuse.
Bauer invited commissioners to the trust’s second annual Big Goose Backyard Barbecue on June 25 (5–8 p.m.) and listed other seasonal programming, including Explore History sessions and community events.
Board members thanked Bauer and noted interest in events and conservation partnerships. No formal action was requested or taken by the board on these informational items.
