Ted Turner Reserves: Our Interview With Jade McBride
Recently, we had the opportunity to speak to Jade McBride, President of Ted Turner Reserves, on why combining travel and conservation isn’t just common sense; it’s an absolute necessity. Ted Turner Reserves manages nearly two million acres of conservation lands across four flagship properties—Vermejo, Ladder, Armendaris, and Sierra Grande—focused on bison restoration, native species reintroduction, and long-term habitat protection in New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, and Florida. The reserves are open to only a limited number of guests each year, ensuring that conservation remains the primary mission.
Tell us about your story and how you landed at Ted Turner Reserves.
I’m Jade McBride — the President of Ted Turner Reserves. I often say I’m the luckiest hospitality worker in the industry. With some hard work and a bit of luck, I’ve found myself in the right place at the right time, again and again. From a farm in Idaho to the U.S. Navy as a search and rescue swimmer, hard work has laid my foundation. But I never imagined that being part of the opening team at the storybook property Amangiri would one day lead me to steward over a million acres of wild, working land.
I lead with the belief that conservation and hospitality are not separate; they’re a single invitation to awaken the human spirit through connection, with the land, with ourselves, and with the people we love. At Ted Turner Reserves, guests don’t just stay; they are invited into a shared story of restoration, wonder, and deep purpose.
Tell us about Ted Turner and his conservation ethos – what motivated the creation of Ted Turner Reserves?
Ted’s life was shaped by bold action, in media, the environment, and land stewardship. His ethos: if we don’t step up and do the right thing, who will? His properties aren’t just assets, they’re living classrooms. He believes in restoring and protecting ecosystems, preserving endangered species, and empowering people through nature. Ted Turner Reserves was born from that vision. Ted and I both know that when we spend time in these healthy, balanced landscapes, we leave better people. More grounded, more inspired, more human.
Ranching + Conservation—what makes this marriage work?
It’s about balance, respect, and interdependence.
We believe we are the world’s foremost model for advancing wild and working landscapes, and those words are carefully chosen. We believe we can protect all things wild, from microorganisms in the soil to endangered wolves, while recognizing that humans are part of the ecosystem too. That means we can protect the wild and work the land in a symbiotic way that allows both people and nature to heal and thrive together.
What are some conservation achievements the Reserves have undertaken that you’re most proud of?
We’ve reintroduced bison, supported the return of Mexican Grey wolves, restored native trout and water systems, and created guest experiences that invite people to engage with these efforts directly. Choosing a proudest moment is like choosing a favorite child. But what stands out most is the time and scale. Very few individuals on Earth have invested as much, for as long, as Ted Turner. Some of these efforts have taken 30 years and millions of dollars, and they’re still ongoing today. That’s something rare and deeply meaningful.
Tell us about the Castle Rock Bison and what makes them so unique?
These bison are wild hearted descendants of iconic herds. They roam freely across high desert and riparian corridors. What makes them unique is in their DNA, the Castle Rock herd is one of the most genetically pure American Bison populations left on Earth. Their presence heals the land, restoring prairie balance and ecosystem health.
How should conservation and travel be intertwined?
There really is no other option. Travel must evolve from sightseeing to soul finding. Conservation and connection breathe life into every moment. When guests hike a trail, hear from a biologist, or learn from Indigenous voices, they begin to see differently. And when it’s time to go home from a place like Vermejo, they don’t really leave, the place stays with them. It becomes part of who they are. They return inspired, transformed, and more deeply connected to the Earth, themselves, and the people they love.
What singular conservation activities do travelers experience across your reserves?
Whether you’re at Vermejo, Ladder, Armendaris, or Sierra Grande, the land teaches you, not through a lecture or a brochure, but through discovery. Maybe it’s watching bats emerge from a cave at dusk, or cresting a hill just as a bison herd comes into view. It might be the wonder in your child’s face as they hold a native Rio Grande Cutthroat trout for the first time. Every experience is intentionally crafted to be fun, engaging, and full of discovery.
Do you envision expansion into other Turner properties?
Ted always saw our landscapes as places where the land and people could heal each other. While we’re currently rooted in New Mexico, our story is one of growth. On every Turner vehicle, you’ll find a bumper sticker that reads “Save Everything.” That spirit isn’t limited to one location and neither is our vision. Ted never did things small. His thinking has always been generational, visionary, global. When the land calls and the mission aligns we’ll be ready to listen. And to lead.
Anything else you’d like travelers to know?
When you stay with us, you become part of something larger, a purpose driven movement that believes travel can heal. I’m especially excited about the launch of our new program at Vermejo: The Season of Sabbatical. It’s an extended stay opportunity on one of the largest pieces of private land in America. It’s the most immersive and meaningful guest experience we’ve ever created.
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How to incorporate Ted Turner Reserves into your journey?
If you’re ready to start planning a journey that includes a stay at Vermejo, Ladder, Armendaris, or Sierra Grande — we’re here to make it happen. Speak with an All Roads North destination specialist today.
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