The firm has expertise with issues related to rural properties and natural resources. This includes not only appraisals for acquisition of contaminated ranch lands (or ranch lands impacted by overhead transmission lines) but also conveyance of conservation easements on ranches and development land. Other assignments relate to valuation of mining claims, water rights, wetlands and minerals. A representative sample of this experience is found below. Yurok Tribal Lands - consultation and valuation related to private ownership within tribal boundaries and Redwoods National Park Water rights in Alabama associated with the creation of a new National Preserve Geest Banana Plantation - consultation regarding natural resource damage in Costa Rica Wetlands in Colorado mountains - consultation and appraisal review with respect to acquisition of wetlands Extremely exclusive private recreational ranch near Vail, Colorado - valuation of conservation easement for income tax purposes Purchase of a conservation easement by The Conservation Fund, Douglas County, Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund, Colorado State Parks, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and several private investors protecting nearly 10 miles of land along both sides of Interstate Highway 25 between Denver and Colorado Springs - the 21,000-acre Greenland Ranch in Douglas County, Colorado Molybdenum contamination of an 11,000-acre ranch in central Colorado - valuation in support of litigation Brush Creek Ranch near Vail, Colorado - bargain sale donation of the proposed Adam’s Rib recreation area - valuation for tax purposes Leaking natural gas storage cavern near Boulder, Colorado - valuation in support of litigation Plains Conservation Center - relocation of an historic prairie land educational facility DIA Lands Acquisitions - condemnation of agricultural lands for new Denver airport Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in western Colorado - inholding valuation Purgatoire River lands in southeast Colorado - valuation of more than 300,000 acres for conservation easement purposes Purchase of a ranch by The Nature Conservancy - 14,000 acres on the Arikaree River in eastern Colorado Purchase of a conservation easement by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust - 20,000-acre ranch in southeast Colorado Valuation for income tax purposes of donated conservation easements encumbering a proposed new ski area and base village near Steamboat Springs, Colorado Conservation easement donations on Wyoming ranches near Saratoga and Sheridan Conservation easement purchases and/or donations near Aspen, Telluride, Steamboat Springs, Meeker, Glenwood Springs, Ridgway, Glade Park, San Luis, Pagosa Springs, Castle Rock, Fort Collins and Hayden, Colorado