Bio-Diversity

Biodiversity = sustainability. To date scientists have described 1.7 million of the world's species of animals, plants, insects and algae—and they’ve not all been described…or discovered. The number, while vast, is less important than the point it makes: nature requires diversity.

Bio-Diversity

Hunting Is Conservation - Hunting is Sustainable, Helps Species Thrive

The anti-hunter claim that hunting is not a sustainable model and the populations of hunted species will decline and no longer flourish is simply untrue. NOTE: this post was originally published July 22, 2019

Baby Bears

Baby Black Bear Learns the Ropes

A baby black bear must “learn the ropes” from mom in order to survive.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 8, 2019

Bio-Diversity

You Don't Need To Be A Rocket Scientist To See What's Coming via Wildfires This Season!

“Fighting wildfires with wild horses.   NOTE: this article is courtesy of William E. Simpson II. It is published here with permission The deadly 2018 Klamathon Wildfire. Photo: William E. Simpson II   The recent pattern of alternative sun and rain has generated a prodigious crop of seasonal grass and brush, the

Bio-Diversity

Goats, Brush, Weeds and Wildfire

At Pitchstone Waters Ranch in Idaho, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone Park, we use goats and cattle to reduce brush, control “weeds” and  forbs, reduce wildfire and stimulate plant growth on forest floors and meadows.

"Invasion Biology"

How Texas Cougars Saved the Florida Panther

According to the article below, cougars translocated from Texas saved the Florida mountain lion, known as the Florida panther. At least two of those cougars were trapped at Circle Ranch, the West Texas ranch we previously owned, in 2002.   Species restoration using non-native stock is common across North America. Elk,

Bio-Diversity

Pitchstone Waters Roads #1

Eco-friendly forest thinning and road building next to Yellowstone Park, in Idaho. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 5, 2019.

Bio-Diversity

"Conserving" Wild Bison?

The conflict between private landowners and the bison and elk living in Yellowstone National Park exists in large part  because the Yellowstone herds are infected with brucellosis. Brucellosis is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes spontaneous abortions in cattle and related species. This epidemic disease has been virtually eliminated

"Invasion Biology"

Wild Horses Benefiting From Dr. Jane Goodall's Leadership and Work

“More about a humane, cost-effective, holistic and all Natural solution for managing American wild horses. NOTE: this article was written by William E. Simpson II – Ethologist & Founder-CEO – Wild Horse Fire Brigade Org. It is published here with permission     Ethologist Michelle Gough seen studying and photographing free-roaming wild horses in

Bio-Diversity

The Catastrophic Extinction of North American Mammoths and Mastodonts

“One of the great myths of our politically-correct anthropology is that ‘Native Americans” lived in harmony with all wildlife. Early human hunters were closely involved with the Pleistocene Extinctions, just 12,000-years ago. This was the greatest mass extinction since dinosaurs disappeared 60-million years earlier.   This paper discusses the causes

"Invasion Biology"

150 Goats to ‘Mow’ 7 Acres of Brackenridge Park

Goats are excellent at brush-clearing, as shown in the article below about Brackenridge Park in San Antonio.   Many so-called “exotic”, “non-native”, and “invasive” species are also useful in maintaining and improving habitat. These include wild horses and burros, cattle, sheep, pigs, elk (these are classified non-native in Texas), mountain goats,

Bighorn

Five Iconic Animals of Yellowstone

“Yellowstone National Park may be best known for Old Faithful geyser and other unique geothermal features, but it’s also home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Learn about wolves, elk, grizzly bears, bison, and river otters that call Yellowstone home.   NOTE: this video was

Bio-Diversity

Living Soil Film

Our soils support 95 percent of all food production, and by 2060, our soils will be asked to give us as much food as we have consumed in the last 500 years. They filter our water. They are one of our most cost-effective reservoirs for sequestering carbon. They are our

Bio-Diversity

Energy Development Abuse Threatens Port Aransas and Texas' Bays and Estuaries

The idea of lessening regulation to achieve energy independence is a good one until it is catastrophically abused as it is in South Texas’ coastal estuaries. Texas’ conservation organizations and wildlife agencies exist to protect wildlife and habitats. Why do they remain silent as one of our most environmentally and

"Invasion Biology"

The Rules that Govern Life on Earth - with Sean B Carroll

The author of ‘The Serengheti Rules’ has shown that in order to be healthy, grasslands need (1) keystone grazers, (2) many prey species and (3) many predators. In this 50-minute video he explains these ideas at the home of the British Royal Academy.   NOTE: this post was originally published to

Bighorn

Navajo Nation Game Surveys

The Navajo Nation contains some of the most beautiful high-desert mountain country in the American Southwest.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 12, 2018.

"Invasion Biology"

Life of Elk

Elk are Texas natives. Largely wiped out by 1900, they are poised to recover in far-West Texas, but need the same protection as other native game species.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 6, 2018.

Bio-Diversity

Sandhill Cranes Talking Near Cascade Idaho

Sandhill Cranes have been around for between 2.8 and 10-million years: That makes them one of the oldest living birds. They migrate thousands of miles from northern summer breeding grounds. Some have made it as far as Europe and even China. This group of Sandhill Cranes were vocalizing in

"Wolves"

2022 Winter Wildlife Near Yellowstone Park, in Idaho

Winter wildlife, 2022 at Pitchstone Waters.

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Bison at the American Prairie Reserve

Buffalo were the keystone grazing animals of the American Great Plains. At the American Prairie Reserve in Northeastern Montana, the plan is to recreate the world’s largest bison herd.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 23, 2018

Bayer

Saying No to Glyphosate in Our Foods, Environment

Quoting sources for the article appearing below, ” … glyphosate is the most dangerous environmental chemical we face today due to its unique mechanism of toxicity, careless application, and pervasive presence.” NOTE: this article was originally published to TheEpochTimes.com on May 2, 2022. It was written by Melissa Diane Smith   Of

Bio-Diversity

Church-Affiliated Ranch Balances Agriculture and Conservation in Central Florida

Deseret Cattle and Citrus, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been going strong for 65 years. This commercial farming and ranching operation is situated on about 295,000 acres in parts of three Florida counties between Orlando and Melbourne.

"Invasion Biology"

When Goats Become Firefighters, Not Everyone Follows Orders

The article below discusses using goat herds to reduce the frequency and intensity of wildfire.   At Pitchstone Waters, we use goats every year. Their favorite food is leafy spurge –  a rapidly spreading weed that no other domestic or wild animal will eat, and which is immune to herbicides. NOTE: this

Bio-Diversity

See Why the Mysterious Mountain Lion Is the ‘Bigfoot’ of Big Cats

Much like the legendary Bigfoot or Yeti, the elusive mountain lion has also acquired its own mythical status.

"Invasion Biology"

Securing a Future for Wolves in the West

Another excellent article by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) the free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman.   This one is about how to address people and livelihoods while achieving the essential ecological need to return wolves across the West. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.

"Invasion Biology"

The Sounds of Elk

Most Texas elk hunters must draw permits in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico etc., pay many thousands of dollars and travel out of state for a chance to hunt free-ranging trophy elk. Yet, elk are native and present in far-West Texas. It should be possible for Texans to hunt wild elk