The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, alongside NGL Energy Partners, state officials, and members of the public, celebrated the acquisition of a significant property on Thursday, September 23. This new land, known as Pipkin Ranch, is set to become a crucial habitat for wildlife conservation, particularly benefiting the Lesser Prairie Chicken, grassland birds, and pronghorn antelope within their native grassland ecosystems.
Located approximately 40 miles southeast of Fort Sumner, New Mexico, the Pipkin Ranch acquisition encompasses 7,500 acres. Crucially, this purchase strategically connects two existing Department-owned properties. This consolidation creates an expansive, interconnected conservation area exceeding 10,000 acres, significantly enhancing habitat connectivity for New Mexico’s diverse wildlife populations. This impactful project was realized through a collaborative public-private partnership between the State of New Mexico and NGL Energy Partners, highlighting a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
Mike Sloane, Director of Game and Fish, emphasized the collaborative spirit of the project, stating, “This willing public-private partnership exemplifies the positive outcomes achievable when we collectively acknowledge the importance of conservation. I am thrilled to have contributed to this endeavor, which I believe will serve as a model as we move forward with the Governor’s recently announced 30 x 30 initiative.”
Sharon Salazar Hickey, Chairwoman of the Game Commission, further highlighted the significance of the acquisition in the context of sustainable development. “Acquiring and maintaining properties like Pipkin Ranch provides a compelling example of how wildlife conservation can coexist with wind energy development,” she noted. Addressing the ranch’s ecological value, she added, “To the untrained eye, Pipkin Ranch might appear as simple rolling grassland with limited value; however, for the Lesser Prairie Chicken, it represents a vital opportunity for population growth – a critical conservation stronghold!”
Why the Lesser Prairie Chicken Matters
The Lesser Prairie Chicken, an iconic grouse species native to American prairies and grasslands, has been under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. These birds are intrinsically linked to healthy native grasslands and prairies. Habitat loss stands as the primary threat to their survival. Alarmingly, an estimated 90% of the Lesser Prairie Chicken’s historical habitat has been destroyed across its range. Protecting remaining habitats like Pipkin Ranch is therefore paramount for the species’ long-term persistence.
NGL Partners’ Commitment to Conservation
NGL Energy Partners LP, a publicly traded midstream energy and infrastructure company with significant operations in New Mexico focused on oil and gas wastewater management, played a crucial role in facilitating the Pipkin Ranch purchase. Recognizing the property’s importance, particularly its known Lesser Prairie Chicken leks (breeding grounds), Ngl Partners proactively engaged in this public-private partnership to ensure its addition to the state’s conservation land portfolio.
Matthias Sayer, representing NGL Energy Partners, articulated the company’s natural alignment with conservation goals. “Engaging with Game and Fish to discuss shared interests in conserving both game and non-game wildlife species was a natural and organic step for NGL,” Sayer stated. This partnership underscores a growing recognition within the energy sector of the importance of environmental responsibility and collaborative conservation efforts.
Aligning with New Mexico’s 30 x 30 Initiative
This public-private partnership materialized shortly before Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced New Mexico’s 30 x 30 initiative, further highlighting its timely significance. The 30 x 30 initiative aims to conserve 30% of New Mexico’s lands and waters by 2030 to safeguard biodiversity and natural heritage.
Sayer referenced Governor Lujan Grisham’s executive order, Protecting New Mexico’s Land, Watersheds, Wildlife and Natural Heritage, emphasizing the role of voluntary conservation practices on working lands. He quoted, “Voluntary practices implemented by land managers, including private landowners and leaseholders, on working lands (both private and public) provide opportunities to support broader restoration activities, improve watershed health, create resilience in rural and urban communities, add value to the food chain and food security, and contribute to the state’s outdoor recreation and eco-tourism economy…”
Sayer continued, highlighting the executive order’s call for agencies to “review and utilize existing authorities, funding and programs within their respective Departments or Offices to support and implement programs designed to conserve, protect and enhance lands and natural environments across the State, coordinate with external stakeholders to the maximum extent practicable, enhance biodiversity, preserve landscapes with the potential to increase water yields or infiltration, wildlife habitat and promote healthy soils and watersheds and finally to ensure movement across the landscape.” Concluding, Sayer affirmed, “That is precisely what has been accomplished here today, and we at NGL are proud to be a part of it.”
This partnership between NGL Partners and the State of New Mexico at Pipkin Ranch serves as a powerful example of how collaborative efforts can yield significant conservation outcomes, contributing to both wildlife preservation and the broader goals of environmental sustainability.
