Orme Family Announces Conservation Easement on Historic Ranch in Yavapai County, Arizona -- Agricultural Use To Be Preserved

MAYER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Orme Family today announced the creation of a Conservation Easement on nearly 1,000 acres of their historic Orme Ranch property in Yavapai County, Arizona.

The Conservation Easement was facilitated by a unique collaboration between Central Arizona Land Trust and Arizona Land and Water Trust, which will permanently conserve historic ranch lands for sustainable agricultural uses, preventing development while ensuring protection of water and land resources along Ash Creek and in Arizona’s central highlands.

“The Orme Family has embraced land and water conservation for five generations, and this effort will help protect agricultural working landscapes in central Arizona for many generations to come,” said Paul Orme, President of Orme Ranch.

The Central Arizona Land Trust will hold the Conservation Easement, with the responsibility to oversee the terms of the easement in perpetuity. The easement was funded through private donations and matching grant funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Among those collaborating in conservation effort: the Orme Family, Central Arizona Land Trust’s Orme Ranch Forever Campaign, the Arizona Land and Water Trust, USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service, the Biophilia Foundation, Orme School alumni, Candela Renewables, and numerous other private donors.

“Candela is honored to contribute to the Orme Ranch Forever Campaign through our Agua Fria Solar Project,” said Nik Novograd, Candela Renewables Co-Founder and CFO. “This easement demonstrates that solar development can enable conservation of Arizona’s historic ranchlands and help to preserve watersheds and wildlife habitat.”

With the Conservation Easement, Orme Ranch will remain a working ranch operating on nearly 26,000 acres. Retaining this agricultural land use will prevent all disturbance on the 907 acres under conservation easement, ensuring it will never be subdivided or developed beyond what currently exists to run the ranch operations.

“I fully support the Orme Conservation Easement,” said Yavapai County Supervisor James Gregory. “This important effort will help keep this beautiful area rural, and it will preserve the legacy of the Orme Ranch for future generations.”

About Orme Ranch. The Orme Ranch is a family-owned business located on 26,000 acres in the high desert grasslands of Central Arizona. Operating since 1929, the family is committed to holistic ranching ideals. www.OrmeRanch.com

About Central Arizona Land Trust. Central Arizona Land Trust was founded 34 years ago to protect a community landmark in Prescott. A nationally accredited land trust, CALT partners with landowners who have permanently protected their working landscapes, scenic vistas, riparian areas, and old growth forests from development forever. www.centralazlandtrust.org

About Arizona Land and Water Trust. Arizona Land and Water Trust is a 501c(3) that works closely with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private landowners and land trusts, to protect Arizona's vanishing landscapes and wildlife habitat. www.alwt.org

About Candela Renewables. Candela Renewables is a leading national developer of utility-scale solar and battery storage power projects. Our mission is to develop the most reliable, cost effective, environmentally beneficial and financeable solar power projects in the United States. www.candelarenewables.com