Conservator Stories

Moccasin Lake Ranch
"Our family believes that the Methow Valley's natural beauty deserves to be maintained and preserved forever. This easement represents a positive step in that direction."

Moccasin Lake Ranch is a place where rolling pastures, aspen groves and sage covered hills offer refuge to soaring raptors, migrating songbirds, deer, elusive cougar, coyotes and black bear. In 1888, George Thompson, built a small house into the hillside of Wandling Mountain, thereby laying claim to the original 120-acres of the Ranch. In the early years of the 20th century, subsequent land owners consolidated adjacent properties until the Ranch was bought by Jon and Gaye Titcomb in 1961. They eventually added neighboring properties, bringing the Ranch to its current size of 2,327 acres by 1966.

The traditional flavor of this special landscape, that could easily have been transformed into a checkerboard of development, will remain intact in perpetuity thanks to Jon and Gaye Titcomb's heirs, who chose to protect their ranch with a conservation easement. The 1,433-acre easement maintains 14 wetlands, upland habitat, and graceful views across the Methow Valley. The Moccasin Lake property has a long history as an ecologically sensitive working ranch, and the family's vision and partnership with the Methow Conservancy will help keep it that way.

A Family Tradition
"Over the last several years I have continued to work on my short and long term goals for the family and ranch. The Methow Conservancy has helped me draw nearer to accomplishing those goals."

Craig Boesel's family were homesteaders in the Methow in the late 1800's. Being raised on a farm Craig learned of the ongoing relationship between land and the people who use it at an early age. Craig always hoped to raise his own family on a farm, so after graduating from Washington State University and traveling the country as a Smokejumper, he re-settled in the Methow Valley.

As Craig saw the Valley changing, he became concerned for the future of agricultural lands like his. In 1999, a 63-acre parcel of his property was accepted as the first agricultural conservation easement for the Methow Conservancy.

Craig believes that the people of the Methow have an opportunity to plan today for tomorrow, and he sees that conservation easements can help the Valley shape its own future.

For Craig Boesel, protecting his land is not only about ecological conservation, but also about preserving agricultural values and enabling future generations to experience the connection with the land that he values in his own life.

John Adams and Caryl Campbell weren't planning to move from Seattle to the Methow when they first saw the 160 acres of forest in the Rendezvous. The heavily logged landscape seemed to speak to them in a special, indescribable way-despite its clear need for rehabilitation.

Before long they not only owned the property, but found themselves in the midst of a major effort to restore the forest. Scientists by trade, they launched headlong into learning about forests and their dynamic nature. In just a few years, the forest had taken hold of them, and they were building a full-time home.

As their appreciation for the land grew, John and Caryl began to worry about what would happen in future generations to all their restoration work and the wildlife they now considered part of their family. They wanted some assurance that others would continue the commitment they had made to the health of their property.

John and Caryl created a conservation easement with the Methow Conservancy-in part to limit future development on the property, but largely to permanently cement the idea that protection of the land requires ongoing work. Their easement includes a detailed stewardship plan with long-term goals for what the forest should look like in perpetuity. With their foresight, John and Caryl have created an easement that has not just protected, but improved the health of the land that continues to astonish them every day.