Brush

A collection of 53 posts

"Invasion Biology"

Grazing to Promote Riparian Health on a Private Ranch in Nevada

This video features Agee Smith, Co-Owner, Cottonwood Ranch, Wells, Nevada

Aspen Forest Management

Revitalizing Ruffed Grouse Habitat: A Call for Sustainable Forestry

These active forestry management practices are necessary wherever there are Ruffed Grouse, including especially in the decadent Lodgepole/Douglass Fir/Aspen forests of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. In this thought-provoking video, Nick Biemiller, the Southern Appalachian Forest Conservation Director for the Ruffed Grouse Society sheds light on the alarming decline

"Invasion Biology"

Miracle in the Nevada Desert

Beaver and cattle are symbiotic. Together they can turn desert into wetlands.        NOTE: this post was originally published on April 19, 2017, and then reposted on September 9, 2021

Brush

The Case for Destroying Old Forest Roads

For the first 100-years of its history, the mission of the US Forest Service was to make public forests accessible for a host of human activities. Beginning 40-years ago the opposite mentality took hold. These well-intentioned attitudes have led to the woeful current forest conditions and their associated wildfires.   NOTE:

"Invasion Biology"

Biodiversity and Holistic Management

These excellent thoughts on the importance of biodiversity apply to wildlife as well as agriculture.    NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 20, 2016. And reposted again on July 1, 2021

Brush

Bad News for Wildlife and Habitat: Use of Vietnam-Era Plant Poison More Than Quadruples

The Wall Street Journal, arguably one of the most respected newspapers in the country, has swallowed the Kool-Aid, or, in this case, the 2-4-D. If readers were to accept this piece at face value, they would come to the conclusion that it is reasonable for the agrochemical giants to push

Biodiversity

Breaking the Code on the Invisible Fenceline

“Someday soon, a workable livestock grazing collar – such as what is described in the article below –  will transform restorative grazing practices. NOTE: this article was originally published to Onland.WesternLandowners.org on April 18, 2023. It was written by Matthew Collins.   Virtual fencing is increasing in popularity around the West

Brush

Politicians Tell Forest Service: Do More to Fight Wildfires

“As discussed below, The Forest Service has estimated that more than 460 million acres are at moderate to high risk from wildfire.” NOTE: this article was originally published to Outsideonline.com on April 18, 2023. It was written by Susan Montoya Bryan.   ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Lawmakers from several western

Bio-Diversity

Using Goats to Open an Idaho Forest

At Pitchstone Waters near Yellowstone Park in Idaho, we use goats to clear brush, weeds, and stimulate grasses on forest floors. Sixth in a series.   Goats Grazing Idaho Forests from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 29, 2020.

Biodiversity

Stewardship with Vision – Episode 2: Malpai Borderlands Group

In the high desert of southern Arizona and New Mexico, almost a million acres of important habitats and nearly 30 at-risk species are being protected and conserved…by a coalition of ranchers who manage from “The Radical Center”… – The Malpai Borderlands Group   NOTE: this post was originally published to this

Bio-Diversity

Yellowstone Elk Migration Trail: Amazing Camera Trap Highlights

Like rivers, Yellowstone’s migration corridors have many tributaries. One of these passes through Pitchstone Waters Ranch. We see herds of as many as 100 elk exiting the national forest, passing through our meadows and across the Fall River, and then reentering national forest to the north. They are headed

Bio-Diversity

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #4

On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows. Fourth in a series. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 4, 2019

Animal Growth

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #3

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #3 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.   Third in a series: On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows.   NOTE: this post

Bio-Diversity

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #1

On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in forests and meadows. It is fascinating to watch the Peruvian herders, and their dogs – heelers, headers and guards. First in a series.   Goats

"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

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #9: Harvesting Water in Steep Canyons

Restoring the Southwest’s desert grasslands takes water. Most ranches treat eroding gulleys and roads – and their stormwater runoffs – as liabilities. In fact these are potential water assets on every ranch. This little diversion dam harvests water from a steep desert canyon and returns it to water-starved meadows, restoring upstream

"Invasion Biology"

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #5: Upper Pennel Canyon at Circle Ranch

Using a mountain gulley for erosion control and desert grassland restoration at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 14, 2017.        This little dam took 45-minutes to build.

"Invasion Biology"

Drought Busters 101

“Drought Busters” is an inexpensive, quick, physiologically and economically sustainable method of habitat and wildlife restoration. We call it Drought Busters because it increases effective rainfall by rebuilding soil fertility and the soil’s ability to absorb and store water. This video explains Drought Busters, and our experience on how

Keyline 101: Desert Grassland Restoration

This 18-minute video explains how we use P.A. Yeomans’ Keyline concepts to improve water function at our family’s 32,000-acre Circle Ranch in the Chihuahuan high-desert grasslands of far-West Texas. The Keyline explanation is followed by a discussion of water harvesting and the role of drones.   NOTE: this

Bio-Diversity

Pitchstone Waters' "Chiveros"

This video is about Pitchstone Waters’ “Chiveros” – Spanish for goat herders. This team of Peruvian goat herders and their dogs have raised herding to an art.   Pitchstone Waters “Chiveros” from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

"Invasion Biology"

Mountain Goat Removal Temporarily Closes Areas Of Grand Teton National Park

According to the article below, the National Park Service (NPS) has decided to exterminate wild mountain goats in the Teton-Yellowstone Parks because they (1) are non-native, (2) “compete” with bighorn and (3) might infect them with diseases.   NPS claims to follow the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (the Model)

Bio-Diversity

Rancher Focuses On Keeping His Land Healthy

Plants and animals evolved together over many millions of years. In so doing, they grew to need each other. As a result, plants need animals as much as animals need plants. This is the basic insight to regenerative grazing, by whatever name it is called.   The practices described by this

"Invasion Biology"

The War On Nature

Quoting the authors below, “In reality, the problem is not herbicide resistant weeds; it is the perception that they are an enemy that must be destroyed at all costs. Military imagery – especially words like “war” and “battle “- is very common in the literature on weed control. But there is

Bio-Diversity

Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #2

On the Fall River in Idaho, 5-miles from the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park, we use goats instead of herbicides to control weeds and stimulate grasses in sagebrush meadows.   Goats Clearing Meadows and Forest at Pitchstone Waters #2 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

Artificial Beaver Dam Videos

Pitchstone Waters Artificial Beaver Dams #2

Restoring an abandoned beaver meadow in an Idaho forest near Yellowstone Park. Second of a series. Pitchstone Waters Artificial Beaver Dams #2 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.