Conservation

A collection of 845 posts

Conservation

Pitchstone Waters, by Shawn Vickers

Shawn Vickers does mapping and wildlife planning for many ranches and public lands in North America, East Africa and the British Isles. He filmed, edited and wrote the music for this little video.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 24, 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

Uncovering the genetic details of a conservation success story.

bats

Saving the Bats, One Cave at a Time

According to the article below, bats are threatened by a severe epidemic. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on February 18, 2019. It was written by Jim Robbins. Biologists are searching caves and abandoned mines in the West, hoping to spare many species of the winged creatures

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

"Wolves"

2022 Winter Wildlife Near Yellowstone Park, in Idaho

Winter wildlife, 2022 at Pitchstone Waters.

"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.

Conservation

Bridger-Teton Considers Phasing Out Two Elk Feedgrounds

These feed grounds are CWD “super-spreaders”, but they remain very popular.   NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on January 20, 2022. It was written by Angus M. Thuermer Jr.   The Bridger-Teton National Forest will consider phasing out the Dell Creek and Forest Park winter elk feedgrounds as

"Invasion Biology"

Understanding ‘Wild Horse Fire Brigade’ 

As discussed in the compelling article published below, “Wild horses that are restored back into their evolutionary roles as keystone herbivores naturally protect forests, wildlife, watersheds and wilderness ecosystems, which benefit through symbiotic grazing by wild horses that naturally maintain wildfire fuels (grass and brush) to nominal levels, thereby reducing

Bio-Diversity

Yellowstone National Park's Migrating Bison

As winter snow accumulations melt, a “green wave” of fresh growth moves upwards, into Yellowstone’s higher elevations. Bison follow the green wave and they pretty much go where they wish. All this reverses with autumn snowfalls.

Bio-Diversity

Yellowstone Starts Bison Cull as Animals Migrate to Montana

As reported below, Yellowstone’s migrating bison are once again being killed because they carry brucellosis.   Yellowstone’s bison would not be a threat to domestic livestock if: 1) all bison were vaccinated against brucellosis and 2) all cattle with whom they might share winter ranges were vaccinated against brucellosis.

Bio-Diversity

Migration Corridors

Each fall, mule deer are on the move, hustling to get to their winter home. Their motivation? Food, and they know the way there. Twice a year deer move between summer and winter ranges following a distinct traditional pathway to ensure the best chance of survival.   Ungulate migration corridors in

"Invasion Biology"

‘A Barbaric Federal Program’: US Killed 1.75m Animals Last Year – or 200 Per Hour

As reported below, the federal “war on wildlife” is alive and well.   NOTE: this article was originally published to The Guardian’s App News Channel on March 25, 2022. It was written by Oliver Milman.   Activists condemn Wildlife Services, a division of the USDA, which says deaths necessary to protect

Bio-Diversity

Gulleys for Desert Grassland Restoration #2

Using a gulley to create a riparian meadow in the desert

Conservation

Our Land, Our River?

Here is an excellent explanation of Western water rights, especially those of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Utah. It was written by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) a free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman.   Quoting the article, “While it is true that Montana is less heavily regulated

Conservation

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam

Another example of a small dam that spills water from an eroded gulley, to reduce road washing and to irrigate a few acres of grassland

Bio-Diversity

Nearly Half of US Bald Eagles Suffer Lead Poisoning

“According to the article below, scientists say that eagles are still getting lead poison from carrion contaminated by bullets and fishing tackle.   NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on February 17, 2022. It was written by Christina Larson.   WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s national bird is more beleaguered

Conservation

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration: #7 Best Equipment

When we divert rainstorm runoff from eroding gulleys to restore desertifying canyons and grasslands, what are the best equipment & practices?

American Prairie Reserve

Nature Reserve Buys Ranch, Grows to More than 700 Square Miles

According to the article below, the American Prairie Reserve has plans to assemble millions of acres of adjoining public and private lands to create a vast wildlife preserve.   As further explained, many traditional ranchers see this as a threat to their way of life.   NOTE: this article was originally published

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.

"Invasion Biology"

The Once-Extinct Aurochs May Soon Roam Europe Again

According to the article below, restoring large wild grazers like bison and aurochs (wild giant cattle) will enhance the health of European forests.   Quoting the authors, “By disrupting forest growth, these mammals created varied terrain, all the while fertilizing the ground and distributing seeds with their droppings. The natural disturbance

"Invasion Biology"

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

Using a mountain gulley for erosion control and desert grassland restoration.

Bio-Diversity

Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #8 - Using an Eroded Gulley to Recreate a Wet Meadow

Like roads, wells and power lines, the irrigation system requires monitoring and maintenance, approached as just one of a body of holistic practices being applied together.

"Invasion Biology"

The Real-World Conflicts in Yellowstone Can Be Solved by Markets, Not Drama

Media elites ignore the heartland-themed show, and the real issues behind it, at their own peril.