With this talk the authors shared findings from an in-depth engagement with the dynamics of ranch ownership change in Montana, a US state colloquially known as the "Last Best Place" because of its scenic beauty, wildlands, and remoteness. It is also a region undergoing a rapid rural land ownership transition from agricultural producers to high net worth, amenity-oriented investors. Using spatial and real estate data and in-depth interviews with real estate professionals, property owners and managers, this talk described the drivers and emerging patterns associated with buying and selling of ranch property and their economic implications in this remote, resource periphery.

The presenters for this seminar were Kathleen Epstein, Post-doctoral Fellow, Montana State University, with Julia Haggerty, Associate Professor, Geography, Montana State University, and Hannah Gosnell, Professor, Oregon State University.

Listen to the talk below. This seminar was part of CEH's Owning Natures seminar series.