October 10, 2006 – Lone Mountain Ranch, premier family guest ranch, fly fishing lodge, and Nordic ski resort in Big Sky, Montana, and The Conservancy & Sporting Society, sponsors of the Guggenheim Foundation for International Conservation, together proudly announce today that Lone Mountain Ranch, one of the nation’s finest guest ranch/resorts, and its associated lands, will be sold to The Conservancy & Sporting Society before year-end of 2006.

Lone Mountain Ranch, recipient of many accolades over the years including being named Top Nordic Resort in North America and the ORVIS Fishing Lodge of the Year, is consistently rated as one of the best guest ranch/ Nordic ski resorts in North America. It has developed an international reputation for quality amenities and services in a very casual and hospitable Montana ranch setting.

According to The Conservancy’s co-founder and C.O.O., James Millership, “We are buying The Lone Mountain Ranch because “The Conservancy & Sporting Society is looking very, very long-term. To include this world-renowned property in our portfolio sets the stage for us to become the world’s foremost member-based conservation land-holder. We are so pleased that The Schaaps will continue their involvement in The Lone Mountain Ranch. The Ranch’s popular cross country ski trails and facilities will remain open to the public.”

When Bob Schaap was asked why he and his wife, Vivian, agreed to sell The Lone Mountain Ranch after all these years, he replied, “The Lone Mountain Ranch is truly an extraordinary place and an extraordinary experience. I feel, after 30 years of operating Lone Mountain Ranch, that we must plan beyond our life time, to take the opportunity to protect Lone Mountain Ranch forever. We were looking for an organization that shared our vision and values and have found that with the Conservancy and Sporting Society. Great destination recreational facilities are built only with great passion and this is a way for us to solidify all those years and all that passion. We are delighted to pass the stewardship of this legendary and historic Montana guest ranch and Nordic ski resort onto The Conservancy and Sporting Society.”

The Conservancy & Sporting Society is a collection of the world’s most outstanding sporting and recreational properties. It is committed to reducing the human footprint, to rebuilding habitats, fish and game stocks, and to conserving wild lands. The Conservancy is a membership-based organization dedicated to permanently protecting nature’s masterpieces. The Conservancy & Sporting Society is in the process of acquiring up to 45 sites and expects to invest approximately one billion dollars over the next decade.

The Guggenheim Foundation for International Conservation and the associated Guggenheim Prize is sponsored and supported by The Conservancy & Sporting Society. It is awarded to one or more individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the conservation of wildlife and wild lands. The Conservancy will bring world attention to the achievements of these creative and daring individuals, in the hope of inspiring others to take bold action.

Bob Schaap, President of The Lone Mountain Ranch, said, “We are extremely pleased about working with The Conservancy & Sporting Society helping them integrate the Ranch’s unique services with their long-term vision and resources to make it a force in the world of conservation as well as an unequaled opportunity for its members.”

October 3, 2006

For More Information: Bob Schaap
406-585-8697 rschaap@lmranch.com