2020 Happenings with the Idaho Rangeland Conservation Partnership
By Brenda Richards, Idaho Rangeland Conservation Partnership Coordinator
It has been a challenging year for many in the agriculture and conservation community. Our food chain industry was shaken up, wildfires burned like never before, and a national pandemic reminded us all to take extra care of ourselves and loved ones. Yet, through it all we have been working to find new ways to operate and make progress, and the Idaho Rangeland Conservation Partnership (IRCP) is doing just that. Here are a few of the most significant projects and accomplishments we have been able to realize in 2020 between attending the many Zoom meetings and webinars.
Targeted grazing of fuel breaks tour.
Touring Targeted Grazing on Fuel Breaks
In June, IRCP helped organize a targeted grazing fuel breaks tour with the Idaho Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to review the Soda Fire targeted grazing projects’ progress in their fourth year in operation. Each permittee in this project manages their targeted grazing of these fuel breaks a little differently. Some use water placement and use of natural features to manage the cattle grazing, others utilize stockmanship and riders on horseback to keep the livestock moving across the area, while others use mobile hotwire fencing each to assure the cattle graze the desired areas.
All the permittees are getting the desired results of fuel load reduction and showing the value of targeted grazing as a management tool in helping to protect the surrounding communities, habitat, and the uplands, from future fire threats in this area. On the tour, we observed the progress of the seeded areas and also held discussions on opportunities for additional flexibility and potential with the program. It is truly exciting for the permittees, partners, and BLM to see the success of reaching desired outcomes without strict prescription on exactly how that outcome is achieved.
The Idaho Rangeland Conservation Partnership was proud to host a dinner in November 2020 honoring Ted Blackstock, Tim Miller, Jason Miller, Daniel Richards, Junayo Ranch (Kiley Clemens, Manager), and Levi Loucks as recipients of the Bureau of Land Management 2020 Rangeland Stewardship Award. Recipients are the permittees participating in the Soda Targeted Grazing project in Owyhee County, Idaho.
Field-based element of the Rangeland Monitoring Workshop.
Hands-on Rangeland Monitoring Workshop
Also in June, IRCP helped host a rangeland monitoring workshop with the University of Idaho Rangeland Center, Idaho Department of Agriculture, and BLM. This was a hands-on training opportunity for local ranchers to learn different monitoring techniques and the value monitoring brings to private lands and BLM permits. Good monitoring data helps all parties understand the current health status of pastures and allotments and assists in making well-founded decisions for the management of land. Collecting consistent, applicable information overtime as to what the conditions are across the landscape is important data for doing the best long-term management. The workshop attendees visited a public land lease and participated in a hands-on field monitoring session as practice. That evening Idaho BLM Director John Ruhs led a talk about the value of partnerships and monitoring across boundaries.
Presentation at the Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable
August allowed me to travel to the Sustainable Rangeland Roundtable in Jackson Hole, WY, where I was excited to talk about IRCP and the value of rangelands ecologically, socially, and economically. During this two-day meeting, information and updates were shared and discussion held. I was able to relate the important role rangelands, and especially public rangelands, play in healthy landscapes and ecosystem services. Be on the lookout for future communications on this!
Journalist Engagement on Cross-boundary Conservation
In September, I had the unique opportunity to participate on a panel with the Society of Environmental Journalists titled “Red States + Blue States = Purple Mountains Majesty? Conservation in A Partisan Era & The Idaho Way”. On this panel I was able to talk about not only the ecological benefit of landscape-scale management of our natural resources across land ownership boundaries working with multiple partners and stakeholders, but also how that manifests into social and economic benefits and stability. With Rocky Barker, former writer for the Idaho Statesman, as our panel facilitator, we were able to showcase some of Idaho’s success on land use issues, and share how our ability to work together has benefited Idaho’s rangelands and people. IRCP is a natural continuation of working on these land management issues in this Idaho way of partnerships and collaboration.
Beaver Mimicry Project
Late September saw me and three other members of the IRCP steering committee traveling to the Josephine Ranch in west-central Idaho for some hands-on work making our best attempts to mimic the industrious handiwork of our friend the beaver. Alongside the Idaho Fish & Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and local ranchers, the IRCP members literally dove into the project of constructing a man-made “beaver” dam. We learned how to create post-assisted log structures (PALS) by driving wooden fence posts into the creek bottom and then weaving in willows and sod to help catch and slow the water. This allows sediment to build up which encourages the stream to meander more and spread out the water. These types of structures support the stream channels during high flows, raising the water table, and ultimately helping to restore the riparian habitat.
It was GREAT to be in the field on a beautiful day hauling buckets of mud and strategically placing willows rather than sitting in our home offices staring at our computers in another Zoom meeting. There is so much to be said about getting out on the ground! During the trip out to the Josephine Ranch we saw a good number of sage grouse flush out of the meadows, verifying the direct benefit that healthy range and wet meadows provide for the bird. Seeing those sage grouse truly was the crowning point on an already good day.
Full-steam Ahead
Though I truly miss the face-to-face networking we have lost this year, there are still many ways we have been able to continue our work on conservation projects, ideas, and conversations. Though we certainly have not been able to get out and about as much as we would like, we have been able to be in the field from time to time with the proper precautions. The COVID-19 challenges also come in to play with discussions around the 2021 IRCP Annual Meeting. We truly value the platform this meeting offers for information sharing, conversations, and networking. Recognizing this, and the important role this annual meeting plays for IRCP, our Steering Committee will be discussing when and how to host the 2021 annual meeting. Stay tuned for more news as those meeting plans progress.