The call to halt climate change grew even louder over the course of the pandemic, as people began to see the dramatic effects of a sudden curb in emissions. Owned by The Nature Conservancy and run by forward thinking Ranchlands Collective founder Duke Phillips, this 103,000-acre ranch near the town of Mosca, 3½ hours south of Denver, is tackling climate change the cowboy way. In this south-central portion of the Centennial State, responsible farming and conscious cattle-grazing work together to conserve the soil and regenerate the earth. Philips' methods are a mirror of pre-settler times when herds of bison (the ranch has a herd of 2,000) would pass through the high plains, their movementmimicking nature, their hoof action an ecosystem process in the same vein as wind, water, and fire.

​Where the legendary Western owpokes stand and ride tall plays a part in Zapata's holistic plan and take in the spectacular surrounds, the landscape composed of meadows, wetlands and cottonwood groves, and the property overlooking the Sangre De Cristo mountains and the huge rolling sand dunes of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. Six-nights with Ranch Rider from £2,510pp (no single supplement), the ranch holiday including opportunities to gather cattle and ride alongside the herd of wild bison. The price includes accommodation, meals, and most ranch activities and use of ranch facilities, along with taxes and gratuities, but excludes return flights. Departures May through October.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Bea Villiers´ post 5 Fabulous, Once-in-a-Lifetime Horseback Riding Holidays on 4 Continents.