Wide Open Spaces

Our family has been ranching in Arizona for four generations, and today three generations live and work together on Date Creek. Ranching is more than an occupation for us—it is a way of life, a calling, and a responsibility to the land.

We believe in keeping this opportunity alive for future generations, so that they too can continue the work of stewardship that has sustained both families and landscapes for more than a century.

Ranching plays a critical role in preserving open spaces—for wildlife, livestock, and people alike. When managed responsibly, these lands become places where cattle graze, deer move freely, birds nest, and families gather.

There can be great success for all when we recognize and accept our place in the natural world. We cannot be separated from nature. And with that reality comes responsibility—responsibility in how we care for the land, the water, and the life that depends on both. Healthy, managed rangeland benefits everyone, far beyond the ranch gate.

Our focus at Date Creek has always included the riparian corridor. If you look at what it once was, what it is now, and what it is becoming, you can see the impact of stewardship. A riparian area supports the vast majority of wildlife in the desert. Over 100 species of birds have been identified in our creek.

When we head up to do checks, life is everywhere—tracks leading in from the arid desert, evidence of how this water is the lifeblood of the landscape.

In the early 70s, Phil changed his grazing practices ahead of the rest, seeking to improve the rangeland to its historical glory. Looking for solutions, he came across Holistic Management in 1982 and had a paradigm shift in his approach. He began “time controlled grazing” in the riparian area during the dormant season. Cattle were brought in during this time and removed during the growing season.

This simple adjustment, through the course of years, allowed vegetation to recover, improved water flow, strengthened creek development, and created new habitat. Phil Knight was recognized as the “Environmentalist of the Year” by The Arizona Game and Fish Commission in 1993.

Around this time he reintroduced beaver and turkeys to restore balance. These efforts show us that when we adapt our management to the needs of the land, we see results—results that ripple out to benefit all species.

Improving and restoring rangeland requires commitment and adaptability. The only constant in ranching, and in life, is change. Riparian grazing especially requires a long-term vision: a willingness to step back, to listen to the land, and to make decisions that may take years to bear fruit.

Our family believes that with careful management, the land can not only recover but thrive. This work isn’t about extraction—it’s about regeneration, about ensuring that future generations inherit land that is healthier than when we found it.

At Date Creek, stewardship is not just a practice—it is our legacy. Four generations have worked this land, and three generations are still here today, living and working side by side. That continuity is rare, and it speaks to a deep love of the land and a shared sense of purpose.

We see ourselves as part of something much larger, a chain of caretakers who began before us and will continue long after us. Funding and support don’t just help a ranch—they help preserve a living tradition, open spaces, wildlife habitat, and a way of life that connects people to the land in meaningful, lasting ways.”

Everything we do on this ranch must meet three simple tests: it must be good for the land and wildlife, good for our family and community, and it must provide us with a living. That balance has guided us for decades.

Over the years, we’ve partnered with many agencies to complete conservation projects, and one of our strongest relationships has been with Arizona Game and Fish—a partnership spanning more than 40 years. Together, we’ve installed range improvements across the ranch to support both livestock and wildlife. One of our proudest moments was a volunteer project where more than 40 people came together to lay out nine miles of pipeline, adding 50,000 gallons of stored water and four troughs.

On Date Creek, even a trough has more than one purpose. They are designed so bats can sip water in flight, bees can safely gather without drowning, and small creatures can also safely quench their thirst. On the ranch, we aim to keep around 200,000 gallons of water available at all times, for stray cattle and wildlife who are in need. Each project we take on is about more than just meeting ranching needs—it’s about creating a place where all life has a chance to thrive.

For over 4 decades now, we have been working with our collaborative team, welcoming people from all walks of life who share our passion for stewardship. Together, we’ve met time and time again to contribute ideas, energy, and resources to better the land and the community around us.

Our business may be beef, but our mission is stewardship—and with continued support, we can keep to that promise.

By supporting our work, you’re not just investing in a ranch—you’re investing in open spaces, thriving wildlife, and a way of life that proves people and nature can succeed together.