Our Land Our Voice

01/18/2022

What a great example of the importance of a network of ranches in rural areas!

10/01/2021

As hunting seasons begin, remember we are all neighbors on public land. Leaving gates as you find them, being careful not to transport invasive species and being watchful of fire danger are all ways to protect the land and communities you come to. Happy hunting!

09/20/2021

"Cattle grazing plays an important role in reducing fine fuels on grazed rangelands in California. Without grazing we would have hundreds to thousands of additional of pounds/acre of fine fuels on the landscape, potentially leading to larger and more severe fires. The bulk of this fuel reduction occurs in regions of the state (California) with higher forage production per acre. Widespread and severe wildfires are predicted to increase over time in California. This “new reality” requires that we take advantage of all the tools in our management toolbox to protect public safety while meeting our broader rangeland management objectives.”

UC Cooperative Extension specialists in the Bartolome-Huntsinger lab collaborated on a new study.

09/09/2021

Three local ranchers, members of the Blue Mountain Rangeland Fire Protection Association in Southeastern Oregon, happened upon the Twin Peaks fire in the early morning. They had finished gathering cattle the previous day and were returning to move cow camp. Fortunately the area had been grazed and they were able to stop the fire from creeping across a cattle trail, knock down the flames and keep an eye on it until the BLM was able to respond.
Ranchers have a vested interest in protecting the land their livelihood depends on. They are generally the first people who respond to fires in remote areas, and in the process, protect valuable habitat, preserve vital land health and help rural communities become fire-adapted.
More info at https://www.argusobserver.com/news/twin-peaks-wildfire-smaller-than-initially-estimated/article_dda7aae0-006a-11ec-b842-1fd7b75bf64f.html

07/26/2021

The sagebrush sea is a treasure trove of recreational activities. Yet, this place is facing huge threats of invasive annual grasses that easily carry wildfire and human activities account for 80 percent of fire ignitions. Check out this video “Playing with Fire” to hear from people who love to recreate in sagebrush country and how to not spread w**ds and fire when doing so.

If you’re recreating on public lands in the American West, you’ve probably already felt the impacts of the invasive annual grasses and wildfires that ruin ha...

07/15/2021

“As the demographics of the West change, sportsmen and women can feel good about supporting working ranches that responsibly graze their livestock on public lands—these private landowners and land managers are key partners in conservation and often facilitate hunting and fishing access, unlike the condo complexes that might pop up without them.”
- TRCP

As the demographics of the West change, sportsmen and women can feel good about supporting working ranches that responsibly graze their cattle on public lands.

07/02/2021

Fire season was declared earlier than normal this year based on extremely dry conditions and the record breaking high temperatures. The state of Oregon has already declared a State of Emergency to improve the response to active and imminent wildfires, and fire restrictions are being issued by state and federal agencies. Be careful while enjoying this 4th of July weekend, remember that campfires, fireworks, driving/parking in fuel-loaded areas, and smoking are prohibited or limited on public lands during high fire danger. Check the restrictions in your area and have a safe and happy 4th of July.

06/07/2021

What a cool story exemplifying the importance of a strong, diverse rural network. Ranchers in a remote area helped rescue a hiker during a dangerous blizzard, working with local law enforcement and Search and Rescue teams. Ranchers, and people who live in these rural communities, have valuable knowledge of the landscape which becomes invaluable during emergencies and fire season. Lets do our part to keep ranchers ranching 𝙖𝙣𝙙 encourage recreation - these activities are not exclusive of each other and can, in fact, help the other out in a time of need.

MALHEUR COUNTY

05/28/2021

“Grazing on public lands is critical to conserving our nation’s vast open lands. It helps reduce the risk of devastating wildfires, slows the spread of invasive w**ds, helps build robust root systems and spurs forage growth. In some areas, wildlife will follow cattle herds to eat the new forage that grows once the herd has moved on. This cycle helps increase the health of wildlife habitats.

Ranchers often serve as volunteer caretakers, spotting wildfires, clearing debris and reporting dangers to local law enforcement. A 2017 report from University of Wyoming Extension found that for each pound of beef raised on public lands, we get $0.44 in ecosystem related returns. These returns are benefits like habitat maintenance, biodiversity, forage production, recreation and tourism. Both public and private rangelands support over 23 million head of cattle, and our beef cattle ranches are responsible for 2.1 million jobs across the country.

As some of the original conservationists, America’s ranchers work hard to responsibly manage and conserve rangeland, both public and private.”

Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation President

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03/06/2021

01/25/2021

A video from a while back but ranchers are still at it, keeping water sources going this winter for their livestock and wildlife that depend on them.

12/16/2020

Meet Tim and Laura. In 1986, Tim read an article in Outdoor Life magazine about the quality of bird hunting in Malheur County. He began to research the location, calling the local Vale BLM office to learn more. He borrowed a trailer and came east during bird season from his home in Springfield, OR. True to the article’s promise, he filled his limit of birds and was hooked. He and Laura, along with his father and mother, and their children and friends, continued coming, making it an annual tradition. They enjoy fly fishing, fossil hunting, camping and of course, bird hunting during their trip. The many years and memories has made Eastern Oregon a special place to the family. After Tim’s father passed away, they took some time off from coming but decided to visit again this year and relive those many special memories. Tim recently retired from working with the Oregon State Police and might be spending a little more time doing the things they love in the places they love.

12/03/2020

2020 was a devastating fire year for the West. Megafires burned thousands of acres, taking lives, countless homes and property, and severely impacting ecosystems. This has fueled the conversation around improving management of our forest and public lands to mitigate fire risk and increase the resilience of these lands. We believe it is crucial focus on the role of invasive annual grasses and the increase in fire frequency they create. We see this as the #1 threat to our public lands and if we truly want to protect them, along with our rural communities and economies, we need to take action against this dangerous transformation.

One of the most notorious impacts of nonnative, invasive grasses is the alteration of fire regimes. Yet, most evidence of these impacts comes from local-scale studies, making it unclear whether they have broader implications for national and regional fire management. Our analysis of 12 invasive gras...

11/23/2020

What do you see as the most significant threat to public lands? Do you think there are any threats to public lands? We want to know what you think!

We are curious, what do you see as the most significant threat(s) to public lands?

11/11/2020

Thank you to all the men and women who have served this country. Today we remember the sacrifices they made so that we may enjoy our freedom.

10/06/2020

Good luck to all the hunters this deer season! Remember to buy local to support those small rural business - you are a part of maintaining rural infrastructure.

09/24/2020

"Rejuvra is a pre-emergent herbicide and restoration tool that is showing consistent multi-year control of invasive annual grasses like cheatgrass-downy brome, medusahead and ventenata. By controlling invasive annual grasses, remnant desirable perennial grasses and forbs can recolonize. Forage quantity and quality is improved and wildfire risk is reduced. Trial work across the western United States showed that areas treated with Rejuvra demonstrated a two-to-three-fold increase in perennial grass biomass, compared to untreated areas. A single pre-emergent application of Rejuvra provides consistent multi-year control of invasive annual grasses, reducing costs associated with time and labor.”
This is a tools that shows a lot of promise for restoring and protecting rangeland from annual grass invasion, have you tried it yet??

Rejuvra™ herbicide was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for controlling invasive w**d species on rangeland, CRP land and natural areas, including grazed areas.

09/15/2020

During these hot, dry times of year, ranchers provide water for wildlife by maintaining watering systems for livestock. In the arid West, ranching has become a crucial part of the infrastructure supporting wildlife and the habitat they depend on.