WWW.LANDREPORT.COM | FALL 2010 The Land Report LARGEST USA LANDOWNERS THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN LANDOWNER $15 H C N A R L L E B , N E D D LARGEST USA LANDOWNERS A P S C M T T A Y W SPECIAL REPORT , H C N A R L L E B : W O R M O T T O B K R A P O J E M R E V , G N I L L E B M A S , H C N A R L L E B : W O R R E T N E C E W O R N O T N E K SALE OF THE , E N I A R C CENTURY: C M Y H T A K JOHN MALONE BUYS , R E Z N NEW MEXICO’S I E M N 290,100-ACRE A M Y W BELL RANCH : W 2010 LAND REPORT 100 O R P O T LANDREPORT.COM PLUS: LABRADOR RETRIEVERS | BP OIL SPILL | LAND REPORT TOP TEN FALL 2010 | The LandReport 37 The Land Report 1 2 3 10 0 4 3 Brad Kelley 1.7 million acres Ted Turner CONSERVATION 2+ million acres ike many a VISIONARY self-made No.1 Lbillionaire, Brad Kelley shuns publicity. Shuns it so much, in fact, The nation’s that he’s become something of an largest enigma to many of his neighbors, landowner a presence made acquired one even larger by his absence. Kelley’s of Georgia’s enormous holdings SHUTTERSTOCK are spread across shrewd business finest quail Texas, New Mexico, acumen to guide plantations and Florida. His his purchases, properties are used snapping up choice in 2010. primarily to propa - tracts with the gate rare species of natural resources animals, including needed to further endangered ones. his considerable He has used his conservation efforts. PHIL MCCARTEN/REUTERS SHUTTERSTOCK his year marks the fourth time The Land Report has His 50,000+ is the world’s largest private herd. He recently presented the top 100 landowners in the country. And it offered to shelter 87 bison from Yellowstone National Park for Talso marks the fourth time that Ted Turner has topped our five years as part of an experiment by the Montana Department Red Emmerson list. In 2010, Turner added to his chart-topping 2 million-plus acres of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to establish a free-roaming herd free of 1.722 million acres by acquiring Nonami Plantation near Albany, Georgia. The acquisi - brucellosis and other diseases that can spread to cattle. After the 2 TIMBER tion is a notable one because Nonami ranks as the largest property five years, the bison will be returned to the State of Montana, and for the entrepreneur, environmentalist, philanthropist, and media Turner will keep a percentage of the herd’s offspring. he lumber industry’s sluggish year mogul in the state where he was raised. Innovative solutions to ensure the continuation of endangered may have taken Emmerson down Nonami Plantation adds 8,800 acres to the 15 ranches Turner species are but one facet of Turner’s stewardship philosophy. Ta few notches on Forbes ’s roster of 4 owns in seven states, and it is considered one of the finest quail Another lies in clean, renewable energy. In January 2010, Turner billionaires, but he remains in the second hunting venues in the Peach State. Turner purchased the plantation Renewable Energy partnered with Southern Company to develop slot on The Land Report ’s list, right where Irving Family 1.2 million acres from a longtime business associate, Atlanta developer Tom Cousins, renewable energy resources on his properties as well as off. Their he’s been all along. The third generation TIMBER in a private transaction. first project, New Mexico’s Cimarron Solar Facility, will be one of of Emmersons is now involved in running “Tom and Ted have been good friends for many years,” says the nation’s largest photovoltaic plants, generating enough energy to the family’s Sierra Pacific Industries: Red’s SHUTTERSTOCK Turner spokesman Phillip Evans. “From what I understand they supply 9,000 homes with electricity. Cimarron, which is scheduled late father “Curly” founded the business in he family business, Irving Woodlands, has been an integral part of forestry in made a gentlemen’s agreement years ago. If Tom ever decided to to begin commercial operation in late 2010, is located next to 1949, Red serves as president, and his son Maine for more than 60 years and owns over 1.2 million acres certified by both sell, Ted would get first option to purchase the property. They both Turner’s Vermejo Park Ranch, the largest privately owned pon - Mark is VP of finance. Sierra Pacific ranks Tthe Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Forest appreciate what a special piece of land it is.” derosa pine ecosystem in the nation. as California’s largest private landowner. research and conservation are key elements of the company’s forestry activities. Not Much of the property is already under a conservation easement. The Cimarron plant is yet another example of how Turner backs Among its noteworthy achievements in only are 20 percent of its holdings dedicated to habitat conservation, but the Irvings “As with all of Turner’s land, Nonami will be managed in an envi - up his opinions with concrete action. He has been increasingly vocal 2010 was placing 7,500 acres just north of donated $1 million to create a chair in forest sustainability research at the University ronmentally and ecologically friendly manner,” Evans adds. about his belief that the United States should move toward more Truckee under conservation easements, of Maine. The company has earned the Gulf of Maine Visionary Award and has been Turner’s record as a landowner proves that he is nothing if not sustainable forms of energy, and he has gone as far as to lobby the first such action taken by the company. recognized by the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the Interior dedicated to running his holdings in a way that promotes the con - Congress on renewable energy and climate issues. It goes hand in Department for research and conservation of the Northern Forest woodcock. Irving servation of both the land itself and native species. In particular, hand with his desire to use his clout and his land to make the world Woodlands is also a leader in tree planting and reforestations. Turner is known for his conservation of buffalo. a better place for his—and our—children and grandchildren. 38 The LandReport | FALL 2010 LANDREPORT.COM LANDREPORT.COM FALL 2010 | The LandReport 39 T10he Land R 0eport 5 Sale of the Century 5 dds are you already know New Mexico’s men to commit themselves to shepherding the After more than a century in operation, the In 2006, the Lane family began its quest to John Bell Ranch. At 453 square miles, it’s ranch since 1933: Albert Mitchell, George Ellis, Bell was carved into six tracts and parceled off find another steward for the Bell. Several leading Okind of hard to overlook. But to focus Don Hofman, Rusty Tinnin, and Bert Ancell, after the end of the Second World War. But for brokerages marketed the property, including Malone on size alone is to overlook a much richer story. the general manager, who had 41 years of William Lane II, its legacy would have ended Mason and Morse Ranch Company and Orvis 1.2 million acres The Bell has been featured in countless experience on the Bell. Half a dozen hands with this dissolution. In 1970, the chairman Cushman & Wakefield. But the Great Recession MEDIA Westerns and dramatically depicted on millions with an average of 15 years service on the Bell and chief executive of General Binding took its toll. The original asking price of $110 of Stetson hatboxes. If you’re old enough worked with Ancell. Corporation purchased the 130,000-acre million was lowered to $99 million and then to he only to remember when tobacco compa - major move - nies could advertise, the ranch’s ment in this T mesas and pastures were the time - year’s top ten is 1824 1970 2010 less backdrop in many a Marlboro Liberty Media CEO print campaign. Few venues John Malone, whose epitomize the American West like purchase of the the gorgeous grasslands, stunning S R 290,000-acre Bell E T mesas, and rugged rimrock canyons U Ranch this August E R surrounding the distinctive bell- / G N leapfrogged him I shaped mountain a short ride K L from No. 7 to No. 5, I W north of the Canadian River. H C ahead of King I R The Bell Ranch is a place of lore Ranch and the Y B and legend whose contemporary Y S Singleton Family. E history dates back to an impossibly T R Thanks to his U large land grant of some 656,000 O C conservation-mind - H acres by the Mexican government to P A ed land ownership, R Pablo Montoya in 1824. Only the G O Malone has earned T O hills know how long the Comanche, H P many friends (both the Kiowa, and the Apache made E N two-legged and O L John Malone camp along the banks of La Cinta Bell Mountain A William Lane II M four-legged) over Creek before the Spanish army offi - N H the years. In an O J cer petitioned Mexico City for his lands. This peerless legacy is one of the many price - headquarters tract near the center of the $83 million in 2010 (not including livestock).