For nearly 175 years, the Southwestern United States has seen civilizations rise and fall, leaving behind landscapes stripped by time and industry. Northern New Mexico’s 560,000-acre Vermejo is one such place—a land rich with history, from dinosaurs and early Indigenous communities to homesteaders, a conservation-minded grain baron, and Hollywood’s glitterati seeking outdoor recreation. But modern times took their toll, leaving it overgrazed and scarred by mining. In 1996, Ted Turner bought the land as part of his work to restore and protect lands across the United States. A dedicated team began to work to heal the land, transforming it into a thriving sanctuary. Today, Vermejo Reserve stands as a testament to what’s possible: biodiversity restored, landscapes reborn, and a model for global conservation.

You’re in the middle of Death Valley. It’s 120°F (48°C), the sun is blazing hot and there’s not a single tree to hide under. You are covered from head to toe in white apparel in an attempt to conceal yourself from the scorching sun. The only sounds you can hear are those of your own footsteps along the burning asphalt. When the wind picks up, sand whips any exposed part of your body like needles. Welcome to the Badwater 135. A grueling 135 mile race that starts at Badwater Basin - the lowest point in the U.S (-282 feet below sea level) and ends at the highest point in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. That’s three mountain ranges the runners have to cross before reaching the finish line. All under 48 hours.