Preserved

Set in an era marked by wildfires, drought, and dwindling species, the story of Vermejo unfolds across a vast 560,000-acre reserve in northern New Mexico. This land, long a sanctuary for Indigenous communities, bison, elk, and antelope, bears the weight of history with civilizations that have risen and fallen over centuries. During the 19th century, mining operations scarred the terrain, leaving behind a landscape eroded by time and industry. A transformative shift began in 1996 when media mogul Ted Turner acquired the property. Through a dedicated collaboration between science and nature, the stewards of Vermejo have revitalized the reserve, turning it into a haven of biodiversity where bison, wildcats, and even urban visitors seeking solace in the wilderness now thrive, offering a model for restoration in other struggling regions.