Silver Saddle Ranch Facts
The Silver Saddle Ranch (SSR) is a 703 acre working ranch located between the Pine Nut Mountains to the east and Prison Hill to the west.The Ranch and surrounding landscape is dominated by agricultural fields, sagebrush, and wetland and riparian habitats.
Acquired by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in 1997 through a land exchange with Perma-Bilt Homes and the American Land Conservancy, the Ranch was officially opened to the public on Public Lands Day in September, 2000. The Ranch is now in the process of conveyance to Carson City under the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 (OPLMA).
As part of a transfer of approximately 3,604 acres under OPLMA, the SSR is subject to a perpetual conservation easement to protect, preserve, and enhance the conservation values of the lands. Carson City is permitted to use the property for undeveloped open space, passive recreation, customary agricultural practices, and wildlife protection.
The development of the conservation easement was guided by the results of a planning and design charette completed in December 2008 entitled “Creating a Community Vision: Silver Saddle Ranch and the Carson River”. This community design charette was sponsored by the Friends of Silver Saddle Ranch in partnership with Carson City, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service.