The Ascuaga family has owned Jack’s Valley Ranch for over 50 years. Like the late John Ascuaga himself, the ranch is vital to Nevada’s history. The property features canyons, forests, streams, and ponds that provide a rich and diverse habitat for a variety of year-round, seasonal, and migrating species, including mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, and dozens of bird species. Additionally, the ranch offers unobstructed views of the Sierra Front.

John Ascuaga aimed to preserve the natural open space and protect the ranch’s diverse habitat and heritage for future generations. To achieve this, he entered into a permanent conservation easement that prohibits any future development on the bulk of the Jacks Valley Ranch lands.

Today, the U.S. Forest Service holds the conservation easement, ensuring that the land will be managed sustainably and remain protected from development in perpetuity, regardless of future ownership. The continuation of ranching activities on the property benefits the local economy and preserves the long-standing ranching traditions that are an integral part of Nevada’s rich heritage.

The Jack’s Valley Ranch conservation easement exemplifies a strategic land preservation approach. By protecting the property’s ecological and historical values while supporting sustainable agricultural practices, the easement ensures that Jack’s Valley Ranch will remain a treasured part of Nevada’s natural and cultural landscape for generations to come.