Popups Ranch E-news: Summer 2007

Ranch E-news: A Source of Networking and Innovation for Rocky Mountain Grasslands

Summer 2007

Ranch e-News is an effort of the Conservancy's Rocky Mountain Communications Network: "Working with and learning from people who make their living on the land."

In this issue:

Why We Care About
the Farm Bill
Cattle and Birds
The Secret Life of Stock Ponds

Reader’s Stories
Wildlife and Ranching together? Send stories to ranchenews@tnc.org.

Quote

“Change is inevitable everywhere, and we can be a part of the process and help shape the changes that do take place, or we can stay home and complain when things don't work out. Ranchers definitely need to be at the table with all other stakeholders; we have the most to gain and the most to lose from policy decisions. Here on the Rocky Mountain Front, the Conservancy has been a great neighbor, giving back much in outreach and resources to help make this ground better for all of us.”
Dusty Crary (pictured above) Rancher and Board President, The Nature Conservancy, Montana

Dusty Crary is one of many Montana ranchers working to protect ranchlands on a large scale. In northern Montana's Phillips County, a community of ranchers—the newly minted "Ranchers Stewardship Alliance"—are braiding the best of the old and the new together as they explore the future of the prairie with conservation groups including the Conservancy, the American Prairie Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund.


		Why We Care about The Farm Bill Wyoming: The future of Twin Creek Ranch was in the hands of a large family and cash was tight. “We didn’t want to develop the ranch, but needed to buy out some retiring partners and raise some working capital,” said Tony Malmberg. Learn how the Farm Bill rode to the rescue of this 16,000 acre ranch between the Wind River Mountains and the Red Desert.

		Salmon-Friendly Organic Beef Ranching Idaho: The sounds of cattle mix with the calls of sandhill cranes, and when compared to trout, the salmon look as big as sharks as they make their way up the Pahsimeroi River. Visit with the Elzingas and their seven daughters to learn how they combine fish science and cattle ranching in the family operation. Read article.

		Border Effort Protects Mexican Ranch Mexico/New Mexico: “By protecting these grasslands, we not only provide critical habitat for endangered and threatened species, but we’re also helping ensure that the traditional lifestyles of Mexico’s ranching community can continue for generations to come” says Rosario Alvarez-Gutierrez of the Conservancy’s Mexico program. Learn more.

		Ranchers and TNC Use Fire to Restore Grasslands Arizona/New Mexico: It's been a decade since the rancher-led Malpai Borderlands Group ended 80 years of fire suppression. Since that time a combination of prescribed burns and "let burns" have rejuvenated over 300,000 acres of grasslands, including the first cross-border burn with Mexico.
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Rancher to Rancher Cattle and Sharp-tailed Grouse Together "We feel like somewhere, sometime, someone needs to save a place for Utah’s wildlife," says Rancher Brett Selman. Learn about his techniques to protect cattle ranching and an endangered bird on his 6,700 acre ranch. Read more.

Ranching Voices Stories of Idaho's Silver Creek “The history is everywhere around us still to be gathered and retold. The history of Silver Creek—what it is, how it was protected and how it remains cherished by local people—gives the landscape meaning and life.” Read sheep rancher Diana Josephy-Peavey’s words on neighboring Silver Creek Preserve’s 30th anniversary.

At the Cookstove Cooking for Collaboration Gary Nabhan is a college professor and writer seeking to protect working landscapes and local community food systems. Ranchers of the Colorado Plateau's Canyon County Fresh Regional Foods, Lava Lake Lamb Ranch and the Malpai Borderlands Group have enjoyed his always thought-provoking work. Learn more at www.garynabhan.com.
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Round-Up

Stock Pond Serenade: The Unexpected Life of Stock Ponds
Throughout North America stockponds provide water critical for wildlife and cattle. Read about their natural history in northern California:
Islands in a Sea of Grass

Wyoming Livestock Round-Up
Stockgrowers, woolgrowers and the Conservancy teamed up for an editorial. “A carefully crafted 2007 Farm Bill has the potential to grow conservation for every person in Wyoming. If conservation is important to you, now is the time!” Read more.

Society of Range Management Wildlife Habitat Committee Annual Report Available
At www.rangelands.org.

Save the Date

06.23.07 June 23 X-Stream Makeover: Cedro Creek New Mexico
This is one of the many Quivera Coalition range improvement workshops that they host throughout the year. www.quiviracoalition.org

01.26.08–02.02.08 Cowboy Poetry Gathering
A week-long celebration of life in the rural West, featuring the contemporary and traditional arts that arise from lives lived caring for land and livestock. www.westernfolklife.org

Ranchers throughout the Rocky Mountain West work with the Conservancy. If you would like to talk with a rancher in your area, tell us a story about your ranch, comment on this issue or receive more information, please e-mail us at ranchenews@tnc.org.

“No kinder place exists than those where
land, laughter and the day stretch long.”

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Photo Credits: © Tana Kappel (Front Range); © Mark Godfrey (Dusty Crary); © TNC (Ranchers Stewardship Alliance); © TNC (Boy with Calf); © TNC ( Elzinga Family); © Dr. Rurik List (Rancho El Uno); © Harvey Payne (Prescribed burn); © Alan Eckert Photography (Saddle); © Alan Eckert (Spur); © Brian Stablyk (Cookstove); © Edward Orth (Rancher);
© Tana Kappel (The Stone Family); Quote - source unknown