John Graves

About John Graves

I am dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Western working lands through the lens of bison ranching and strategic land conservation. I bridge the gap between agricultural production and land conservation through a holistic approach to resource management. With a Master of Agriculture in Integrated Resource Management and a B.S. in Business Administration, I specialize in the \"Bison Advantage\", optimizing the relationship between the animal, the land, and the business.Land Conservation & Stewardship: As the Director of Conservation and Resource Management at the Sheridan Community Land Trust, I lead the expansion and long-term stewardship of protected landscapes in Wyoming. My work focuses on: Negotiating and managing conservation easements to protect working lands. Implementing restoration projects including watershed health, invasive species control, wildlife-friendly fencing, and virtual fencing. Bison Industry Leadership: I am deeply committed to the North American bison, serving as the Owner of JG Bison and President of the Rocky Mountain Bison Association. My industry involvement includes: Chair of the National Bison Association State and Regional Committee. Yard Manager for the Gold Trophy Show and Sale at the National Western Stock Show. Coordinating annual conferences, ranch tours, and educational outreach.Community & Technical Service Beyond the Ranch: I serve on the Sheridan County Fair Association Board and contribute to the Northeastern Wyoming Invasive Grasses Working Group and the Working Lands Collaborative Committee.Whether I am managing an easement transaction or helping a neighbor work their herd, my goal is to ensure the resilience and heritage of our Western landscapes.

Experience

1. Director of Conservation and Resource Management

   Sheridan Community Land Trust

   Nov 2025 — Present · Sheridan, WY, US

   As the Director of Conservation and Resource Management at Sheridan Community Land Trust, I lead the expansion and long-term stewardship of protected landscapes while ensuring the organization’s assets, properties, and operations run efficiently. I oversee all phases of conservation easement and land protection work—from cultivating landowner partnerships and securing funding to drafting legal terms, preparing baseline documentation, and completing easement transactions. I manage SCLT-owned conservation properties and implement on-the-ground stewardship projects including low-tech watershed restoration, invasive species management, wetlands conservation, and wildlife-friendly fencing. I also guide annual easement monitoring and uphold Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices to ensure the integrity of protected working lands and habitat.In addition, I oversee organizational resource and asset management across vehicles, equipment, technology systems, facilities, and seasonal staffing to support smooth and safe operations. I contribute to budgeting, strategic planning, process improvement, and organizational development, while supporting outreach through landowner engagement, community presentations, and communications. Through this work, I help advance SCLT’s mission to conserve the open spaces, agricultural heritage, and natural resources that define our region for future generations.

Education

• University of Colorado Boulder - Leeds School of Business

  Bachelor of Science Business Administration, Operations Management & Human Resources Management; Operations & Information Management Certificate

  2005 — 2009

• Colorado State University

  Master’s Degree, Masters of Agriculture in Integrated Resource Management

  2012 — 2016

Skills

• Supervisory Skills
• Community Outreach
• Word
• Osha
• Team Building
• Employee Manual
• Financial Management
• Bison
• Problem Solving
• Scheduling
• Employee Relations
• Strategic Planning
• Outlook
• Planning
• Organization Training Manual
• Mentoring
• Pasture Management
• Managing Small Work Teams
• Public Speaking
• Strategic Hiring System
• Horses
• Time Management
• Animal Care
• Organization Safety Manuals
• Budgeting
• Microsoft Office
• Public Relations
• Excel
• Inventory Management
• Accounting
• Coaching
• Customer Relations
• Animal Handling
• Forklift Training
• Teamwork
• Animal Health
• Strategic Compensation System
• Employee Management
• Sustainability
• Hiring