Ted Turner's rewilding legacy lives on in vast conservation estates
Media mogul Ted Turner passed away on 6 May 2026 at the age of 87. His legacy includes 15 vast properties dedicated to conservation, where decades of rewilding work continue. One of his most ambitious projects, Vermejo Park Ranch, has transformed thousands of acres into thriving natural habitats. Turner bought Vermejo in 1996 and immediately began restoring the land to its wild state. The ranch now hosts 21 active conservation projects, from reintroducing predators to repairing riverbanks. His efforts extended beyond the US—his Tompkins Conservation project in Argentina has revived two million acres, even leading to the birth of jaguar cubs in the Iberá wetlands.
The Turner Endangered Species Fund spends between $500,000 and $600,000 each year on rewilding across his estates. At Vermejo, the Castle Rock bison herd stands out as a conservation success. Descended from four of the six original North American bison herds, its 1,400 animals are kept separate to preserve their rare genetics. Meanwhile, wild beavers have returned, building dams that naturally restore the river ecosystem.
Vermejo also invites visitors to experience the land firsthand. Guests can join wildlife safaris, bison expeditions, or try hiking, fishing, and clay shooting. These activities help connect people with the rewilded landscape. After Turner’s death, Vermejo and several other properties will transfer to a nonprofit institute, ensuring his conservation work carries on. Turner’s vision has left a lasting mark on conservation. His properties now support rare species, restored ecosystems, and ongoing rewilding efforts. The nonprofit institute will continue managing these lands, preserving his environmental legacy for decades to come.
