Healthy Grasslands are Our Common Ground

Over the years, much has been made about the differences between ranchers and wildlife conservationists. Yet there’s plenty of common ground—and in Montana we’re literally standing on millions of acres of it. When it comes to our shared values, we all care about the land.

Some people value grasslands because of its diverse wildlife; others manage the land to provide for livestock. In fact, when grazers are managed well, native grasslands are sustained and offer both.

The grasses of the Great Plains evolved to support and be maintained by grazers, among countless other species. Yet beginning in the late 19th and continuing through 20th century, this land saw dramatic change, with bison replaced by domestic livestock and many grasslands falling to the plow as cropland expanded. Yet where grass remains, wildlife abounds.

On a recent trip to Phillips County, we saw land that still bore the scars of cultivation, but we were encouraged by our visit with ranchers, including members of the Ranchers Stewardship Alliance, who are bringing those areas back to life. Native range, sage brush and planted pastures grow side by side on well managed ranches, providing a diverse system of plant life that is the basis for livestock production here, as well as an abundance of birds, mammals and other wildlife that indicate the land is healthy.

There’s an appetite for experimentation and innovation, and a willingness to part with tradition if it means better environmental and economic outcomes. We visited ranches that use differing management techniques to best fit their needs. Ranchers are experimenting with different pastures and rotation schedules, uncovering options that yield the best and most sustainable results.

Even though this part of Montana has received favorable moisture over the past few years, previous droughts are remembered all too well; heavy snows and other unpredictable weather events made for tough times. Ranchers are planning accordingly, keeping grass in reserve that provides both a cushion for cattle and, at the same time, habitat for wildlife.

Just as consumers are looking to probiotics to keep their digestive systems in better working condition, an understanding of biology (e.g., insects, bacteria and fungi) is being used to promote healthy and resilient soil. And while it’s obvious that good soil keeps the grass growing, it also stores water, nutrients and carbon more effectively, which reduces run-off, filters water, and mitigates the impact of drought and climate change.

The ranchers we met in Phillips County—and many more across the Great Plains—show that taking the long view when planning for people, planet, animals and profit is the key to success. An environmentally sound ranch that loses money and a profitable ranch that ignores stewardship of its natural resources are equally unlikely to enjoy long-term success.

But where land is best suited to grazing, including many areas of the Great Plains, well-managed livestock can provide food for people and protect the same grasslands that comprise habitat for prairie wildlife.

Of course, global beef production carries a significant environmental cost. That is why World Wildlife Fund is working with other conservation groups as well as ranchers and other constituents in the beef industry to preserve natural resources and limit waste via initiatives such as the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

Even in the best managed herds, there will always be room for continuous improvement. But as long as we continue to communicate—recognizing our shared values and respecting our differences—we can achieve great things for the land of the Great Plains and the diverse wildlife and livelihoods it supports.