‘Fish and Cow’: A Film about Ranching and Conservation

 

‘Fish and Cow’: A Film about Ranching and Conservation
Watch the film

"It's really not about the grayling. It's more about the river and the health of the overall fishery."

— Cal Erb, Big Hole rancher, who is managing his ranch in a way that benefits grayling.

"I'd like to see this valley stay in agriculture and I wish other ranchers here would sign conservation easements to make sure we keep the valley like it is."

— John Dooling, Big Hole rancher, who has a conservation easement with the Conservancy on his family's 6,300-acre ranch.

Big Hole Valley
 

What do cattle and Arctic grayling have in common? Find out in an award-winning 18-minute Nature Conservancy film called "Fish and Cow: A Story of Restoring the Upper Big Hole Valley."

"Fish & Cow" is a poignant look at ranching in western Montana. It features ranchers who are passionate about their land, their way of life and the river that is the lifeblood of their valley. And it shows how the Conservancy is helping such ranchers accomplish their goals.

Healthy Land, Healthy Fishery

Landowners here know their stretch of river is special. It's home to the last native population of river-dwelling Arctic grayling. The multi-generational ranch familes are teaming up with The Nature Conservancy to protect both the fish and the scenic Big Hole Valley that is their home.

About the Filmmakers

Bozeman, Montana filmmakers Geoff Stephens and Rick Smith spent three months filming and editing the film for the Conservancy. Stephens is a 20-year veteran of NBC News, while Smith is a graduate student in Montana State University’s Natural History Filmmaking Program.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Wayne Mumford (Big Hole Valley); Photo © Wayne Mumford (Big Hole Valley); Photo © Wayne Mumford (Big Hole Valley)