The following is a release from Wyoming Friends for Martin’s Cove – 

• Wyoming Friends for Martin’s Cove will pursue a Wyoming-led land trade allowing for the permanent stewardship of Martin’s Cove in exchange for historically rich lands adjoining Independence Rock State Historic Site and a key wildlife inholding connecting the Miller Springs and Savage Peak Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs).

A new nonprofit organization, Wyoming Friends for Martin’s Cove, has formed to advance the long-term stewardship of the Martin’s Cove historic site and the public acquisition of key ranchland parcels through collaboration, civic engagement, and shared responsibility.

“Martin’s Cove is a unique historic site, and it has been well served for nearly 25 years under the management of the Historic Sites Division of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said Ryan Lance, who will lead the newly formed nonprofit.

“As the current lease approaches expiration, this is the right time to pursue a permanent, Wyoming-led solution for the management of the site, while also creating public access opportunities to new high-valued acreage. Our aim is to work with stakeholders to support a legislative land exchange that serves the public interest and preserves these landscapes for generations to come.”

Since 2004, the Church has leased Martin’s Cove from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). With the lease set to expire in 2029, discussions have centered on an equal-acreage exchange, identifying two high-value parcels owned by the Church for public acquisition.

The two parcels proposed for public acquisition are:
• A 358-acre parcel adjacent to Independence Rock State Historic Site and within the federally designated corridor for the Oregon, California, Pony Express, and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails. It includes approximately 1.9 miles of Sweetwater River frontage, nearly 131 acres of wetlands, five contributing segments of the National Historic Trails, the trails’ first crossing of the Sweetwater River, and a site containing a historic trading post, stagecoach stop, Pony Express station, telegraph
station, and military post dating to the emigrant-trail era.

• A 575-acre parcel in the foothills of the Granite Mountains, connecting the Miller Springs and Savage Peak Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs). Moving this private inholding into public ownership would improve landscape-scale habitat connectivity, support sage-grouse, pronghorn, and mule deer habitat, and expand recreational access to surrounding public lands.

In exchange, the Church would become the permanent owner and steward of the 933-acre Martin’s Cove historic site and would bear the costs of its ongoing management and maintenance while maintaining the visitor’s experience.

A map of the parcels is available on the nonprofit’s website at: https://wyofriends4cove.org

According to a recent land value and resource survey by Grouse Mountain Environmental Consultants, the two parcels proposed for public acquisition contain substantial ecological, recreational, and cultural resources, including nearly two miles of Sweetwater River frontage, approximately 145 total acres of wetlands, important wildlife habitat and migration corridors, and multiple documented historic sites associated with the Oregon, California, and Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trails. The survey confirms the exchange would produce a net gain for the public in wildlife habitat, water resources, recreational access, landscape connectivity, and protection of documented emigrant-trail resources. A summary of the survey is also available on the nonprofit website.

Members of Wyoming Friends for Martin’s Cove highlighted the exchange’s historic, public-access, and policy benefits for Wyoming’s future.

Diana Enzi emphasized the importance of preserving Wyoming’s heritage: “Martin’s Cove held deep meaning for my late husband, Senator Mike Enzi, who believed in preserving Wyoming’s history while keeping it accessible. This effort reflects those same values—honoring the past and securing a thoughtful, lasting future for these preeminent places.

Upon completion of the exchange, I would like to see the BLM work with Wyoming State Parks to enhance the overall public experience by integrating the documented historic sites and Oregon Trail segments on the parcel adjacent to the Independence Rock State Historic Site.”

Jess Johnson highlighted the public benefits of the exchange: “This exchange is a win for Wyoming’s wildlife, sportsmen and anglers, and historic preservation. It preserves Martin’s Cove and the Independence Rock parcel for generations of visitors while expanding access to meaningful new public land for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Unlike recent wholesale land disposal proposals, this is a locally driven, site-specific exchange, resulting in a net benefit for the sporting public.”

Former Assistant Secretary of the Interior Rob Wallace underscored the broader policy significance: “This is sound public policy for Wyoming. It strengthens long-term stewardship at Martin’s Cove while expanding public access, conservation, and protection
of historically significant landscapes – especially the Pony Express Station and military post site just east of Independence Rock.”

Wyoming Friends for Martin’s Cove intends to work collaboratively with Wyoming’s congressional delegation, the BLM, the Church, the State of Wyoming, tribal stakeholders, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, and other public and private partners committed to advancing the proposed exchange.

For more information, visit http://wyofriends4cove.org.