Defensible Space — Keeping Your Home on the Range Safe
As wildfires become more frequent and intense, protecting your home is more important than ever - whether you live in town or out on the ranch. “Our fire issue isn’t
House Money
This sagebrush ecosystem in Idaho has been fully invaded by cheatgrass. Right: Charred fenceposts and brittle wire make fences a major rebuilding expense for working lands post-fire.
Fighting fires safely and responsibly
T he sign outside the Valley Fire District in Granite County, Montana, jokingly touts “Same Day Service since 1876.” Of course, the Valley Fire District, like fire protection districts across the
Community wildfire readiness: What landowners need to know
Across the West, as suburban sprawl, working lands and wilderness collide, many communities now have Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs). The 2003 Healthy Forest Restoration Act encouraged these plans in
Helping producers get to grips with virtual fencing
Webinar shares Montana experience on costs, benefits, and stewardship applications. Virtual fencing is changing the way livestock producers manage their herds, combining advanced technology with the age-old principles of grazing management.
The courage to share
“Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” “Rub some dirt on it.” “Suck it up and deal with it.” “You’re tough.” “Drown it in Pendleton.” For generations, these statements have been heard on the ranch, behind
Seeking peace, facing conflict
We live in a time fraught with conflict. At its worst, we have wars and threat of war in several areas of the world. Conflict wreaks havoc in some of
Working outdoors in extreme heat: what you need to know
Extreme heat warnings are in effect for much of the United States this weekend, and record-breaking heatwaves have become increasingly commonplace in recent years. Especially in the West, where outdoor
Restoring Soil and Saving Water with Wool
In the sprawling landscape of arid western Wyoming, Alicia and Ben Rux, owners of Cottonwood Creek Ranch, faced a common dilemma among Western sheep ranchers: what to do with the
Keeping Cold Water Cold
Tips for ranch water projects that sustain blue-ribbon trout fisheries The drive south from the small town of Twin Bridges, Montana, leads through a broad valley to the agricultural hub of
Water your livestock, legally
For many Western landowners, stockwatering and irrigation go hand in hand. Without a stockwater-specific water right, however, users could be operating outside of their established decree. Understanding your water right,
Your always open eyes on the range
Using game cameras to understand wildlife movement for conflict reduction Game cameras can help keep a pulse on wildlife populations and movement within and across your operation. For a group of