habitat restoration

A collection of 708 posts

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

Fisheries

Bootleggers and Baptists in ‘Yellowstone’

Many environmental lawsuits are not intended to help the environment, habitat, or wildlife

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

habitat restoration

Whose River Runs Through It?

“Western rivers access and fishing rights are discussed in this excellent article from PERC.   NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.com’s Winter 2021 Newsletter (Volume 40). It was written by James Huffman.   How stream access laws affect recreation and conservation   This special edition of PERC Reports uses

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

"Invasion Biology"

Grazing to Promote Riparian Health on a Private Ranch in Nevada

On this Nevada ranch, cattle numbers were tripled under planned grazing, with transformational results.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 4, 2017

Animal Migration

BARRIERS

Mule deer, elk and other hooved mammals around the world depend on their ability to migrate between seasonal habitats. Sadly, human activities are impeding migrations and making them harder than ever. Many herds are struggling to migrate in the face of subdivisions, roads, fences, and all kinds of development. Yet,

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

Award for Volunteer Team’s Wild Horse Music Video

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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.

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

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

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Sonoran Desert Grasslands with Cattle

The recognition of the useful role of large grazers in desert ecology grows daily.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 10, 2017

"Invasion Biology"

Adjusting the Lens of Invasion Biology to Focus on the Impacts of Climate-driven Range Shifts

The authors observe that as climate changes, plants and animals move around. They say this is good, and natural.   NOTE: this paper was originally published to Nature.com on on November 14, 2021. It was written by Piper D. Wallingford, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jenica M. Allen, Evelyn M. Beaury, Dana

"Invasion Biology"

Are Goats and Sheep Compatible?

This video shows how goats and sheep can help each other and the pastures they graze. This helps us understand how wild and domestic animals can help each other and the habitat they share.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 14, 2017.

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"

Wildlife in the High-Desert Mountains of Far-West Texas

Desert Mountain Wildlife #3 – part of a series on wildlife pictures was taken in Winter 2017, at Circle Ranch in the Sierra Diablo Mountains of far-West Texas. The series contains many wildlife photos, and, discusses holistic wildlife management practices. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June

Animal Development

During the Drought

In low rain areas, maintaining plant coverage through periodic planned grazing and limited mechanized soil disruption are basic principles of regenerative farming and regenerative grazing. These work wonders for cows, crops and wildlife.   NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 7, 2017