Brad Bauer, executive director of the Sheridan Community Land Trust, updated the council on projects funded through the city’s GPET allocation and other grants, describing trail maintenance, conservation easements and public programs.

Bauer said the organization received $25,000 in the most recent GPET award; those funds support Soldier Ridge and Green Room trail maintenance, progress toward five (now eight active) conservation-easement negotiations, and history‑preservation activities including interpretive signs and streetcar stabilization and relocation. Bauer said Soldier Ridge trail gets about 40,000 user visits per year and the Green Room trail sees about 6,000–8,000 uses annually.

Other items Bauer reported:
- The land trust is working on eight conservation easements ranging from roughly 100 to 1,500 acres, including two properties adjacent to city limits. Bauer said conservation‑easement terms vary and may allow limited development on specific parcels.
- Big Goose Natural Area: 117 acres opened for recreation and stewardship, used for demonstrations, adaptive‑access assessments, volunteer days and education programs. The group reports volunteer-built interpretive features including a mural ‘wingspan’ installation and a dog‑friendly off‑leash area.
- Streetcar 115: the trust is preparing to move and conserve streetcar 115 to the Big Goose area; Bauer said staff are coordinating with MDU (utility) on the move and pursuing grants (one application for $25,133 to build a roof).
- Community rooms at the trust site are available for local groups; Bauer cited nominal fees (example: $20 for two hours, $50 half day, $100 full day) to offset cleaning costs.

Bauer described broad community engagement — plant walks, history presentations, archaeology events, and partnerships with Teton Adaptive, Trout Unlimited and other organizations — and said volunteers contributed to trail work and fence replacement for wildlife friendliness.

Why it matters: The land trust’s work preserves open space, supports outdoor recreation and provides programming the city and other nonprofits use. Several council members asked clarifying questions about how conservation easements are negotiated and whether easements could affect future development options.

Ending: Bauer encouraged council members to visit the Big Goose Natural Area and noted additional grant applications in progress for historical preservation and structural work on the streetcar.