Conservation - Pitchstone Waters (Page 33)

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Conservation

A collection of 836 posts

Reversing Wildlife Extinctions? The Mammoth Cometh

"Invasion Biology"

Reversing Wildlife Extinctions? The Mammoth Cometh

Here is an example of a desirable form of genetic manipulation: repairing some of the damage humans have done to biodiversity, backfilling empty niches that make “species invasion” inevitable. There are many ways this could go wrong, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to restore some of what has been

Swan Song: New York’s Wildlife Bureaucrats Intend to Eradicate Wild Swans

"Invasion Biology"

Swan Song: New York's Wildlife Bureaucrats Intend to Eradicate Wild Swans

NOTE: this article originally appeared online at WSJ.com on January 20, 2014 New York wildlife officials are proposing to eliminate wild populations of non-native mute swans under a 10-year management plan that calls for shooting the birds, sterilizing them and destroying their eggs. But culling programs have drawn criticism.

The Forgotten Quail Decline: Plight of the Scaled Quail

The Forgotten Quail Decline: Plight of the Scaled Quail

When it comes to the quail decline in Texas, the northern bobwhite often dominates the spotlight. Much of this focus probably is due to the long-standing tradition and relative ease of bobwhite hunting. Unfortunately, the bobwhite decline often overshadows the decline of another important quail species in Texas—the scaled

Panel Says Federal Wolf Plan Used Unproven Wildlife Science

"Invasion Biology"

Panel Says Federal Wolf Plan Used Unproven Wildlife Science

It’s not that agencies intentionally misrepresent their science. They sincerely believe opinions shared within the agency are scientific by definition. NOTE: Article originally appeared in San Antonio Express News on February 7, 2014 (via Associated Press) BILLINGS, Mont. — A proposal to lift federal protections for gray wolves across most

circle_ranch_education_grades_f_feature

"Invasion Biology"

Bad News for Range and Wildlife Science: An “F” Grade for America’s Elite Colleges

American Council of Trustees and Alumni vice president of policy Michael Poliakoff on the state of the country’s most prestigious liberal arts colleges. NOTE: this originally appeared on WSJ Live Online on 1/28/2014 America’s Colleges Flunk Out If we wonder why our wildlife management practices have

Another Danger Sign for Texas Wildlife: Monarch Numbers in Mexico Hit Record Low

Another Danger Sign for Texas Wildlife: Monarch Numbers in Mexico Hit Record Low

The existence of Monarch butterflies, shown in Mexico, is threatened, scientists say, by manmade changes in their main food source and protective habitat. MEXICO CITY — The stunning and little-understood annual migration of millions of Monarch butterflies to spend the winter in this country is in danger of disappearing, experts said

Chihuahuan Desert Grassland Restoration in Northern Mexico

Chihuahuan Desert Grassland Restoration in Northern Mexico

Much of the best ecological thinking about desert grassland restoration is coming from Northern Mexico. These folks are way ahead of Texas in their understanding of habitats and restoration practices, including the vital role played by livestock as substitutes for the missing herds of nomadic animals. Late summer, Circle Ranch,

New Danger to Wildlife: USDA Gives Green Light to 2,4-D Resistant GM Crops

"Invasion Biology"

New Danger to Wildlife: USDA Gives Green Light to 2,4-D Resistant GM Crops

NOTE: this post originally appeared on SustainablePulse.com – January 3rd, 2014 The USDA has issued a draft statement essentially giving the green light to the marketing, sale and planting of GM corn and soybeans resistant to the hazardous herbicide 2,4-D. Dow Chemical’s GM corn will trigger a huge

Petition Targets ‘Rogue’ Killings by Wildlife Services

"Invasion Biology"

Petition Targets ‘Rogue’ Killings by Wildlife Services

NOTE: Article initially appeared in the Washington Post on December 15th, 2013. Darryl Fears They say U.S. critter assassins work in secret, quietly laying traps, lacing food with poison, sniping at targets from helicopters. Few people know exactly how the hits go down; the methods are largely hidden. What’

Good News for Wildlife and Habitat: Non-GMO Corn Hybrids Smash GMO Varieties in Illinois Trials

"Invasion Biology"

Good News for Wildlife and Habitat: Non-GMO Corn Hybrids Smash GMO Varieties in Illinois Trials

NOTE: Post Originally appeared on Sustainable Pulse November 21, 2013 Corn hybrid trials in Illinois have been harvested, and results are showing Non-GMO corn hybrids performing as well or better than GMO corn hybrids. Spectrum Premium Non-GMO hybrids, used in the testing, produced 3 to 10 more bushels per acre

Increasing Danger to Wildlife and Habitat: Biotech Industry Starts New Era of Pesticide-Promoting Agriculture

Increasing Danger to Wildlife and Habitat: Biotech Industry Starts New Era of Pesticide-Promoting Agriculture

NOTE: Post initially appeared on SustainablePulse.com on August 30, 2013. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has quietly approved the first of a new generation of GE crops resistant to more toxic herbicides. The first crop to pass the low regulatory bar was a Bayer soybean variety genetically engineered

tom_sidwell_restored_grasslands

Healing the Carbon Cycle with Cattle

Rancher Tom Sidwell on the JX’s restored grasslands. © Courtney White JX Ranch, Tucumcari, New Mexico In 2004, Tom and Mimi Sidwell bought the 7,000-acre JX Ranch, south of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and set about doing what they know best: earning a profit by restoring the land to health

Circle Ranch - Low-Stress Loose-Herding

Differences Between Conventional Cattle Placment and Placing to Graze As a Herd

Here is an interesting piece by our friend “Cowboy” Bob Kinford, discussing cattle placement on a Nothern Mexico ranch where he was training recently. If you can get it done, “loose-herding” is the way to manage herds. In conventional placing, we hold the cattle in one place until they are

Creosote Bush: An Unassuming But Ancient Form of Life All Around Us

"Invasion Biology"

Creosote Bush: An Unassuming But Ancient Form of Life All Around Us

Though sometimes regarded as a nuisance by residents of the arid Southwest, the creosote bush is a complex and fascinating plant – and creosote colonies constitute some of the oldest organisms known to inhabit the planet. The shrub-like plant’s scientific name is Larrea tridentata, and it is known by many

Planned Grazing and Keyline-Contour Subsoiling Restores Damaged Land at Circle Ranch, March 2009 – September 2013

Animal Development

Planned Grazing and Keyline-Contour Subsoiling Restores Damaged Land at Circle Ranch, March 2009 – September 2013

In the southwest corner of Circle Ranch in the deep, steppe-shrub desert, we have a stock tank which we call “Lobo” because it was the last place that the Mexican wolf was seen in Hudspeth County before being hunted out. When we bought the ranch, it was grazed around a

circle_ranch_bob_kinford_feature

Animal Development

Beyond Stockmanship At Rancho Las Damas, by Bob Kinford

The problem I was asked to solve is one of the reasons many cattlemen do not want to try holistic, planned grazing. During calving season the cows would leave their calves behind on the daily pasture changes, resulting in a loss of 15 to 20% of the calves. As it

"Drought Busters" at Circle Ranch

"Drought Busters" at Circle Ranch

These are pictures of areas that were holistic-planned grazed and sub-soiled on contour with a Yeomans Plow earlier this year. All of our subsoiled areas were first grazed then plowed on contour, using Keyline techniques and a Yeomans Plow. Most treated areas remain full of creosote and tarbush. We don’

Trans-Pecos Mule Deer Population Declines 40 Percent - Mule Deer Hunting Season is Lengthened

Trans-Pecos Mule Deer Population Declines 40 Percent - Mule Deer Hunting Season is Lengthened

Far-West Texas: The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has extended the mule deer season through the last Sunday in January for those properties operating under Managed Land Deer Permits (MLDP). West Texas mule deer population trends remain alarming. According to the report posted above, the TPWD count “raw data” of

circle-ranch-texas-cattle-feature

Animal Development

Cows and Plows: Transformation Solutions

Commercial Farm Projects, Courses/Workshops, Land, Livestock, Rehabilitation, Soil Conservation, Water Harvesting — by Owen Hablutzel May 3, 2013 Though too often vilified, both ‘cows’ and ‘plows’ have proven to be among our most effective and available tools for restoring healthy ecological and eco-agricultural systems in our landscapes. Bucking the trend

Regarding Holechek and Briske, and Rebuttals by Teague, Gill & Savory

Animal Development

Regarding Holechek and Briske, and Rebuttals by Teague, Gill & Savory

Correcting Misconceptions about the Supposed Discrediting of Savory’s Approach By Seth J. Itzkan Planet-TECH Associates Somerville, MA. 02144 www.planet-tech.com seth.@planet-tech.com June 2011. Updated May, 2013 Abstract This paper investigates the grazing management assessment reports authored by Briske (2008), and Holechek (2000) in light of their

Circle Ranch Savory Institute Research

Savory Institute: Holistic Management Research Portfolio

Allan Savory at Circle Ranch, June 2009 Almost every American wildlife agency, conservation organization, university, wildlife and range scientist is pledged to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The Model lists its Core Principal #6 as: “6. Science Is the Proper Tool to Discharge Wildlife Policy In his classic

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Blocks Private Turkey Reintroductions in Far-West Texas

Animal Development

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Blocks Private Turkey Reintroductions in Far-West Texas

January 17, 2013 Philip Dickerson Via email: phdickers@suddenlinkmail.com Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. 4500 W. Illinois, Ste. 203 Midland, TX 79703 Dear Philip: Thank you for your letter dated January 3, 2012 which arrived by e-mail January 8: Dear Chris, I hope this letter will summarize our conversion

Circle Ranch - Cows and Bighorn Sheep

Cows And Desert Bighorn Sheep

The desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) is one of the four subspecies of desert bighorn sheep that occur in North America. The desert bighorn is named for the American naturalist, Edward William Nelson and is found in the desert Southwest and Northern Mexico. Experts today say that prior to

We and the Burro

We and the Burro

About a year and a half ago I was contacted by Marjorie Farabee, President of the Burro Protection League. Marjorie hesitantly asked me if I was aware that wild burros were being eradicated down at the Big Bend Ranch State Park: She thought I must support this, like most bighorn

Cows & Quail

Cows and Quail was a successful presentation on the use of domestic animals to help wildlife and habitat. 39 ranchers managing 530,000 acres attended. Here is a summary of the event: Cows and Quail Program – 2012 from Pitchstone Waters Here is an excellent article on how to use cows