Protecting Open Spaces
The Ranching Way of Life
The Madison Valley Ranchlands Group (MVRG) works to protect the ranching way of life and the biologically healthy open spaces on which ranching depends.
Carcass Pickup Program
47 ranches and individuals used the pickup program, compost site or both in 2020. Total Carcasses equaled 133 animals that were composted at the site in 2020. (More than 85 bovine, 11 sheep, 10 goats, 2 pigs, and 25 horses, mules, and donkeys.)
This is an increase from the 51 cattle and 7 horses composted in 2019.
Conflict Reduction Consortium
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service announced last week that a colossal coalition, spanning 20 groups across seven states and two tribal nations, had been awarded a conservation innovation grant of almost $1 million to reduce the financial and social burden of expanding predator populations through innovation and evaluation of practices that reduce agricultural conflict with predators like bears and wolves.
Ranchlands Weed Committee
The MVRG Weed Committee was formed in 1999 to administer privately raised funds and to provide private landowners with information, equipment, education, and support to carry out the eradication of weeds in the Madison Valley. The committee focuses specifically on the elimination of noxious weeds on both private and public lands through education and cost-share incentives. To achieve a noxious weed-free environment, the committee works closely with local, county, state, and national weed control organizations. The committee works to accomplish noxious weed-free lands by producing and utilizing a yearly plan that emphasizes education, fund-raising, and the promotion of integrated management practices.
“We’re definitely stepping up and showing that ranchers are willing to work at it. We’re not waiting for somebody else.”
— Linda Owens, Project Director