Eight Annual Clarence Burch Award
2009 Award Recipients
Madison Valley Ranchlands Group
Excerpt from Program:
"In 1996 a group of long-time Montana ranchers began talking about the future of their agricultural valley. They faced a series of issues that focused their attention: large elk herds consumed forage on private lands that was reserved for cattle; wolves had been recently released next door in Yellowstone National Park and would soon make their way into the valley; environmentalists were suing to end livestock grazing on public lands; noxious weeds were crowding every corner of the valley; and ranches were being carved into subdivisions. Lying off the northwest corner of Yellowstone, their way of life in the Madison Valley was being increasingly threatened. They kept discussing these issues amongst themselves, and their concern grew.
But what to do about all this? These ranchers hoped to steer the course of the valley's future by creating a forum where people could come together and discuss community/valley concerns and also present ideas for solving those problems. From these discussions, the 501(c)3 Madison Valley Ranchlands Group (MVRG) was born. Even today, the notion of a bunch of ranchers forming a not-for-profit conservation organization is a head turner, but back then it was truly radical. Seeking diversity in their discussions and ideas for solving problems, MVRG invited government agency representatives, hunters, absentee ranch owners, as well as environmental groups to the table. Perhaps by getting enough different minds on an issue, a path forward may be found.
Working with these collaborators, MVRG launched multiple ventures to help work through the issues. It formed a committee to coordinate noxious weed control efforts across the valley's nearly one million acres. It formed a Range Riders program where cowboys placed on summertime grazing allotments would keep ranchers' cattle safe from wolves and grizzlies. MVRG would oversee the Range Riders, and area environmental groups helped fund the program. MVRG then tackled the controversial topic of unregulated population growth. It hosted a series of public forums where valley growth could be discussed. The result of these forums was the county's adoption of a growth policy action plan. Each year, it also hosts Living with Wildlife workshops to teach new subdivision residents how to reside within such an ecologically abundant setting. MVRG then invited state wildlife personnel, hunters, and landowners to discuss the valley's rapidly growing elk herd. Through a multi-year dialogue, the group began facilitating increased public hunting on private lands to help bring herd growth rates in line with desired objectives.
Through their efforts, MVRG learned that the collaborative process provides a meaningful way to engage people with divergent viewpoints. Folks may not always get along, but they can move forward together on important topics. When people learn to work with one another, new opportunities are formed.
MVRG is now embarking on farm to fork programs, locally produced alternative energy, and recently launched its own eco-tourism company - Madison Valley Expeditions.
Through all its efforts, MVRG has kept its eye on its ultimate goal: providing a good future for agriculture, people, and critters of the Madison Valley. -- Todd Graham
Madison Valley Ranchlands Group
Excerpt from Program:
"In 1996 a group of long-time Montana ranchers began talking about the future of their agricultural valley. They faced a series of issues that focused their attention: large elk herds consumed forage on private lands that was reserved for cattle; wolves had been recently released next door in Yellowstone National Park and would soon make their way into the valley; environmentalists were suing to end livestock grazing on public lands; noxious weeds were crowding every corner of the valley; and ranches were being carved into subdivisions. Lying off the northwest corner of Yellowstone, their way of life in the Madison Valley was being increasingly threatened. They kept discussing these issues amongst themselves, and their concern grew.
But what to do about all this? These ranchers hoped to steer the course of the valley's future by creating a forum where people could come together and discuss community/valley concerns and also present ideas for solving those problems. From these discussions, the 501(c)3 Madison Valley Ranchlands Group (MVRG) was born. Even today, the notion of a bunch of ranchers forming a not-for-profit conservation organization is a head turner, but back then it was truly radical. Seeking diversity in their discussions and ideas for solving problems, MVRG invited government agency representatives, hunters, absentee ranch owners, as well as environmental groups to the table. Perhaps by getting enough different minds on an issue, a path forward may be found.
Working with these collaborators, MVRG launched multiple ventures to help work through the issues. It formed a committee to coordinate noxious weed control efforts across the valley's nearly one million acres. It formed a Range Riders program where cowboys placed on summertime grazing allotments would keep ranchers' cattle safe from wolves and grizzlies. MVRG would oversee the Range Riders, and area environmental groups helped fund the program. MVRG then tackled the controversial topic of unregulated population growth. It hosted a series of public forums where valley growth could be discussed. The result of these forums was the county's adoption of a growth policy action plan. Each year, it also hosts Living with Wildlife workshops to teach new subdivision residents how to reside within such an ecologically abundant setting. MVRG then invited state wildlife personnel, hunters, and landowners to discuss the valley's rapidly growing elk herd. Through a multi-year dialogue, the group began facilitating increased public hunting on private lands to help bring herd growth rates in line with desired objectives.
Through their efforts, MVRG learned that the collaborative process provides a meaningful way to engage people with divergent viewpoints. Folks may not always get along, but they can move forward together on important topics. When people learn to work with one another, new opportunities are formed.
MVRG is now embarking on farm to fork programs, locally produced alternative energy, and recently launched its own eco-tourism company - Madison Valley Expeditions.
Through all its efforts, MVRG has kept its eye on its ultimate goal: providing a good future for agriculture, people, and critters of the Madison Valley. -- Todd Graham
