Young Living Essential Oils recently announced the donation of a conservation easement covering 11,597 acres, or 18.75 square miles, to The Nature Conservancy.
According to the company, this is the largest conservation easement donation in the history of The Nature Conservancy’s Utah chapter.
The donated property, located in the Uinta Mountain foothills near Tabiona in Duchesne County, plays a pivotal ecological role to native wildlife. The land serves as a migratory corridor nicknamed the “Utah Serengeti,” due to the large herds of elk and deer migrating between their summer and winter ranges there. The easement includes seven miles of the Duchesne River, two mountain ranges and sage brush habitat that provides a haven for endangered greater sage-grouse. The donation will also ensure the preservation of ancient Native American petroglyphs carved by the ancestors of the Ute tribes.
Jared Turner, president and COO of Young Living Essential Oils, shared that the land held special significance to Young Living Founder D. Gary Young, who named it the River Ranch. “Gary grew up in the mountainous wilderness of Idaho,” Turner said. “He always loved spending time with family and friends on mountain adventures. Preserving this beautiful part of Utah is a legacy grounded in that passion. Gary and I both shared a deep love of nature and wild places, which is why Young Living is committed to preserving and protecting vital habitat for wildlife, as well as for current and future generations to enjoy. We are grateful to The Nature Conservancy for working with us to protect this special place. We also appreciate the support we received from the citizens of Tabiona, Hanna and other surrounding communities.”
“We are deeply grateful for the generosity and conservation vision inspired by D. Gary Young and made possible by Young Living Essential Oils,” said David Livermore, Utah State Director for The Nature Conservancy. “This large easement will preserve key lands and contribute to the overall health and function of the watershed. We are thrilled to partner with Young Living Essential Oils to ensure that this land remains viable for wildlife and future generations.”
In Gary Young’s honor, Young Living will dedicate the property as the D. Gary Young Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is one of several commitments Young Living has made to honor its founder’s legacy and its ongoing commitment to sustainability.
