Montana conservation group bought 70,000-acre ranch once owned by Texas billionaires

A Montana conservation group purchased a 70,000-acre ranch formerly owned by Texas billionaires, bringing its total land holdings to more than half a million acres. American Prairie announced the acquisition of Anchor Ranch in central Montana in 2025. The nonprofit aims to create the largest nature preserve in the Lower 48.According to Montana Public Radio, the ranch had been listed for about $36 million, although the organisation declined to disclose the purchase price. The acquisition also included a portion of Bullwhacker Road, a key access route to 50,000 acres of public land in the Upper Missouri River Breaks area. American Prairie said it planned to keep the route open to the public, while ranching families leasing the land would remain in place.American Prairie purchased 70,000 acres of Anchor Ranch in MontanaAmerican Prairie acquired Anchor Ranch, which was formerly owned by Texas billionaires the Wilks Brothers. The ranch was listed for about $36 million, but the nonprofit did not disclose how much it paid for the property. The purchase added 70,000 acres of land in central Montana to the organisation’s existing holdings.The acquisition brought American Prairie’s total lan...