CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A conservation group was able to preserve part of a national forest in western Wyoming with an $8.75 million buyout of oil and gas leases secured by last-minute donations, including $750,000 from the founder of online stock broker TD Ameritrade.

The Trust for Public Land was running well short of funds ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline to purchase the development leases near the headwaters of the Hoback River. The gift last week from former investment executive Joe Ricketts helped close the gap.