"Invasion Biology" Restoration of Beaver in Arizona's San Pedro River Beavers are a keystone species in desert ecosystems. See how beaver restoration is healing a degraded Arizona river and its Mexican tributaries. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 28, 2018
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. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 31, 2017 To see another example of this practice, click here.
Bio-Diversity Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas Subsoil contour plowing is an excellent way to increase water absorption in the desert grasslands of far-West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The effectiveness of the practice is shown in these before-and-after comparisons. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 9, 2017.
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 Chihuahuas and Keyline “Chichuahuas and Keyline” explains Chocolate the Keyline Dog’s take on contour subsoil plowing. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 13, 2017.
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 at Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 2, 2017
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? Our conclusions might surprise you. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 4th, 2017
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. 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" 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 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.
Bio-Diversity Using an Eroded Gulley to Recreate a Wet Meadow This video, #8, is a companion piece to #3 in the series. It shows how Fred’s Dam works during a rain, how the redirected water has created a seasonal wet meadow, what is happening to the water as it exits the wet meadow, and how that water might be
"Invasion Biology" The Real-World Conflicts in Yellowstone Can Be Solved by Markets, Not Drama “Founded in 1980 by a handful of outdoor-oriented economists in Bozeman, Montana, PERC—the Property and Environment Research Center—is a conservation and research institute dedicated to free market environmentalism NOTE: this PERC article was originally published to Reason.com on January 22, 2022. It was written by Shawn Regan
Bio-Diversity Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #4: Los Cuates Canyon at Circle Ranch Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #4: Los Cuates Canyon discusses specific gulley problems and treatments in a mountain canyon at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. It is one of a series that demonstrates how to remedy eroded roadbeds and gulleys: returning water to grasslands and plants, using natural rainfall to irrigate
"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
Bio-Diversity Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #3 Eroded galleys can be used to restore desertifying grasslands – alongside creosote bush – without chemicals. Third in a series filmed at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 24, 2017.
Bighorn Bighorn Sheep Migration Bighorn conservation must go far beyond locking people and their activities off of bighorn range. It is essential that wildlife, people and livelihoods be given equal weight in decisions such as those described in the video below. The primary harm people do to bighorn is caused by human hunting, physical
Conservation Nevada Board Rejects Proposal to Ban Coyote Killing Contests The article below illustrates (1) the lack of understanding of the need for predators in our natural systems, and (2) why ethical hunting must always be an essential part of our outdoor pursuits. NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on on November 6, 2021. RENO, Nev. (AP)
Bio-Diversity How Cattle Ranchers Can Combat Climate Change “Planned grazing’s benefits to people, habitat and wildlife are the subject of the article below. NOTE: this commentary was originally published to Expressnews.com on December 1, 2021. It was written by Meredith Ellis and Suzanne Scott. Texas relies on the multibillion-dollar cattle industry for economic success and the
"Invasion Biology" It’s Time to Stop Demonizing “Invasive” Species “Here is a thoughtful article that challenges the “science” behind invasive species “biology”. NOTE: this article was originally published to Vox.com on on November 28, 2021. It was written by Marina Bolotnikova. Climate change is forcing some animals to move. Don’t call them “invasives.” Marine ecologist Piper Wallingford
"Invasion Biology" Not Quite Right - Not All Herbivores Are The Same More thoughts on how – and why – wild horses can improve habitat and reduce wildfire. NOTE: this content below is written by, and published here with permission from, Capt. William E. Simpson II – USMM Ret. Naturalist – Author – Conservationist A herd of wild horses in the Soda Mountain Wilderness have been using
Conservation Turning the Tide of Our Water Crises with Regenerative Agriculture Presented below are some very interesting ideas on regenerative agriculture. NOTE: this article was originally published to the Weekly Regeneration Works newsletter on October 15, 2021. It was written by Keith Silverman. Science: Industrial agriculture is the leading water pollutant on the planet. The world is facing a water crisis
