Support the Future of the West
The working lands of the West not only provide the food, the fiber, and the energy that sustains us, but they also provide critical refuge for wildlife. In fact, up to 80% of wildlife species depend on working lands for survival.
Support a West that works for people and wildlife. Give today!
Sign ups open for the only pro network just for Western ranch managers
The job of managing a ranch has never been more complex.
Today’s ranch managers face a growing array of responsibilities—land stewardship, business planning, labor management, infrastructure oversight, compliance, conservation programs, and more—all while navigating shifting climate, market, and regulatory pressures.
That's why we launched the Ranch Managers Guild.
Western landowners, and our lands and wildlife, need a fully functioning federal government
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Interior (DOI) and other federal departments are key partners for the vast majority of Western landowners. The impacts of the current government shutdown are widespread. The stewards of the West’s working lands are feeling them acutely. We urge the administration and both political parties in Congress to work together to reopen our national government and get back to serving the citizens of the United States.
Protecting and restoring Colorado's fragile waterways
Increasing access demands from boaters and anglers threaten the conservation and stewardship of many of Colorado's imperiled riparian habitats. Secure property rights are the bedrock of private investment, conservation and stewardship and upending long-established law undermines and disincentivizes good faith restoration and stewardship investments by landowners.
Priorities
The Habitat Lease
Critical habitat for wildlife in the West is disappearing at an alarming rate. We're working on a big solution.
A simple, proven model, applied at scale
Habitat leases are designed to secure existing habitat and ecological services currently provided on private lands that meet threshold requirements for ecological site condition.
Water & Drought
Water in the West
The West's water crisis is a challenge landowners are rising to, with the right support.
The Working Wild Challenge
Thriving ranches and thriving wildlife.
Landowner leadership to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock
Our approach leads to stronger partnerships, more resilient ranches, and ultimately, better-connected landscapes.
On Land
The Voice of Stewardship in the American West
Magazine + Podcast
WLA's magazine
On Land tells the stories of stewardship in a new West, in the voices of the people who are living it, at the leading edge of a future that puts people and nature together again for the benefit of both.
The Habitat Lease
Critical habitat for wildlife in the West is disappearing at an alarming rate. We're working on a big solution.
A simple, proven model, applied at scale
Habitat leases are designed to secure existing habitat and ecological services currently provided on private lands that meet threshold requirements for ecological site condition.
Water & Drought
Water in the West
The West's water crisis is a challenge landowners are rising to, with the right support.
The Working Wild Challenge
Thriving ranches and thriving wildlife.
Landowner leadership to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock
Our approach leads to stronger partnerships, more resilient ranches, and ultimately, better-connected landscapes.
On Land
The Voice of Stewardship in the American West
Magazine + Podcast
WLA's magazine
On Land tells the stories of stewardship in a new West, in the voices of the people who are living it, at the leading edge of a future that puts people and nature together again for the benefit of both.
PROTECTING WHAT MATTERS IN THE WEST
WORKING LANDS, CONNECTED LANDSCAPES, NATIVE SPECIES
Together these things make up the revered and vital character of the American West. Landowner leaders are stepping up to keep them intact.
We know that the people living and working closest to the earth every day are our best hope for overcoming the challenges we face in the West. Can you help by answering just one question right now?
OUR MISSION
Western Landowners Alliance advances policies and practices that sustain working lands, connected landscapes and native species.
OUR VISION
We envision a future in which private and leased public lands in the West are resilient to stressors, healthy, and biologically diverse, and provide for prosperous rural livelihoods and critical ecological services.
OUR APPROACH
We provide a collective voice, a peer network and a shared knowledge base for landowners striving to keep the land whole and healthy.
What We Do
VOICE
Bringing landowner perspectives and stories to bear on major issues shaping the West.
STEWARDSHIP
WLA’s peer network and shared knowledge base is designed for landowners striving to keep the land whole and healthy.
POLICY
Advancing pragmatic, common ground solutions that sustain working lands, connected landscapes and native species.
The West Needs Your Voice
Join our collective effort and enjoy the benefits of membership.
MEDIA CENTER
Western Landowners Alliance is proud to share our stewardship videos.
Join WLA to stay up to date on the most important news and policy for land stewards.
Become a member for free today and we will send you the news and policy developments critical to the economic and ecological health of working lands.
WLA works on behalf of landowners and practitioners throughout the West. We will never share your contact information with anyone.
©2025 Western Landowners Alliance • PO BOX 27798, Denver, CO 80227 • 505.466.1495
Western Landowners Alliance is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit recognized by the IRS.
Tax ID: 46-1346488