Park County Community Journal | April 24, 2026
PARADISE VALLEY, MT – A vital 437-acre piece of the Paradise Valley landscape has been permanently protected through a voluntary conservation easement established by the Nickelson family in partnership with Northern Yellowstone Open Lands, a regional initiative of the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT).
Located along Mill Creek — the largest tributary to the Upper Yellowstone River — the Nickelson Ranch primarily consists of pasture and rangeland, which currently supports hay production and grazing. Bordering the recently conserved Warfield Ranch that in turn connects to U.S. Forest Service land, this site also offers a unique habitat for species iconic to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. With multi-generational roots in the valley and strong agricultural and open space values, the Nickelson family did not want to see the property subdivided.
“Our dad always said, ‘You can’t make more land,’” explained Jennifer Nickelson Triplett, who grew up on the ranch with her parents and two siblings. “When it’s gone, it’s gone. You take care of what you have. It’s not just for today. It’s for future generations.”
The project was made possible by the Nickelson family’s commitment to open space and agriculture, and their generous donation of property value to create the conservation easement. The project was also made possible, in part, by funding from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Atira Conservation Foundation, Cross Charitable Foundation, Heart of the Rockies Initiative's Keep It Connected Program, Park County Community Foundation, GVLT’s Penelope S. Pierce Quick Strike Opportunity Fund, and a generous contribution from an anonymous donor.