“There are 4-5 billion acres of land on this planet with similar togography, geology, and climate to the American West. If these American ecosystems aren't used as a global laboratory, then where on this planet – with what money and parallel sources of academia, land agency expertise, and educated people living on the land – will this be done? And when will we start?”

— Jack Metzger
Flying M Ranch

An Unlikely Alliance

The Diablo Trust was initiated in 1993 at a community gathering called by two northern Arizona ranch families — the Prossers of the Bar T Bar and the Metzgers of the Flying M. The families took this unique step in response to increasing pressures on the historic uses of these century-old homesteads and the ranches associated with them.

Members of these families, who had long worked to promote healthy ranchlands, now welcomed others who shared their concern for the environment and wildlife to combine their energy, skills, dedication, and willingness to work to deal with these pressures more effectively, openly, and collaboratively.

From that "opening up" of the management of these two ranches arose a cooperative effort in which the diverse members of the Diablo Trust have worked together to create research and educational programs that are earning attention and acclaim from around the West and beyond.

Today, the Trust, open to everyone, provides a forum for the community to actively participate in a land stewardship process with monthly meetings the second Friday of every month. The results of its efforts include improved vegetation, better habitat for wildlife and livestock, and the protection of open spaces. Additionally, the ranch lands provide “hands-on” proving grounds for new, collaborative land management ideas.

Where is the Diablo Trust?
What is the Bar T Bar Ranch?
What is the Flying M Ranch?
Who are our collaborators?

Learning from the land and sharing our knowledge...
So there will always be a West.