California Rangeland Trust Announces Additional Conservation at SkyRose Ranch

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA., (November 9, 2026) –

The California Rangeland Trust is proud to announce the permanent protection of nearly 3,000 additional acres at SkyRose Ranch in Monterey County, bringing the ranch’s total conserved acreage to more than 19,150 acres of working rangeland.

Owned by B. Wayne Hughes, Jr., SkyRose Ranch is more than a haven for diverse wildlife and open space. For more than a decade, the ranch has also served as a place of healing and renewal for thousands of veterans, first responders, and their spouses through programs offered by the Mighty Oaks Foundation.

Mighty Oaks provides peer-to-peer resiliency and recovery programs designed to support America’s service members and veterans as they navigate the challenges of military life, combat deployments, and the effects of post-traumatic stress. SkyRose Ranch has played an important role in supporting this mission, providing a peaceful setting where participants can connect with others who share similar experiences and find support on their path toward healing.

“I think I would be in line with a lot of other ranchers when I say there’s an open heaven above that property,” Hughes explained. “I did not know what to say to a veteran other than ‘thank you,’ but I do know how to do heads in beds and food service, so I reached out to Chad [Robichaux, co-founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation], made an agreement, and created this program.”

Beyond its role in the Mighty Oaks Foundation’s programs, SkyRose Ranch remains an active cattle operation, producing ranch-raised, grass-fed beef. Through managed cattle grazing, soil-improvement practices, and ongoing land restoration efforts, the ranch employs thoughtful stewardship practices that support the long-term health of the landscape while benefiting the wildlife and livestock that call it home.

Through his continued partnership with the California Rangeland Trust and multiple conservation easements, Hughes has demonstrated his commitment to safeguarding SkyRose Ranch’s working landscape, ensuring it can continue supporting agriculture, wildlife, and opportunities for people to find purpose and renewal for generations to come.

“This ranch is a blessing, a lot of good things are happening there, and the idea that this land will be preserved means a whole lot to me. And, as long as I can, I am going to continue to work to protect it and keep those good things going,” Hughes said.

With this recent conservation easement, the California Rangeland Trust has now protected more than 439,000 acres of rangeland in partnership with 110 ranching families across the Golden State. At a time when nearly 5,000 acres of agricultural lands are lost each day in the United States to development and other uses, protecting these landscapes has never been more important.

Rangeland Trust CEO Michael Delbar said, “Ranchers are among the most important stewards of California’s landscapes. Their commitment to caring for the land sustains our agricultural heritage, supports wildlife, and helps keep these working rangeland ecosystems intact. But there’s something else these lands give us that’s harder to put into words. There’s a peace that comes from being out on the land, away from the noise of everyday life, that can make a real difference for someone who’s been through so much. SkyRose Ranch is a powerful example of that. For the veterans and first responders who come here, it’s more than just a beautiful place. It’s a place to find healing, connection, and hope. And knowing that this land will be here for generations to come is what makes protecting it especially meaningful.”