Ranching in Nature's Image: Fostering Social and Environmental Health in the West

Welcome from Courtney White, taken from Program:
"Welcome to The Quivira Coalition's Third Annual Conference!

"Aldo Leopold once wrote, 'Healthy land is the only permanently profitable land.'

"But what is healthy land exactly? And what does 'permanently profitable' mean today? What are the ecological limitations? And how do we make a living off the land by abiding by nature's model?

"In this Conference we will explore the ways in which we can adapt our behavior to fit ecological boundaries while profiting from labor on the land. On the first day we will examine what healthy land is--and how we might be mindful of ecological limits. On the second day we will examine innovative ways in which landowners and others are making a living within nature's model--sustaining their families and communities economically and ecologically.

"The Conference will also try to peer into the future--where is the West heading? What can we do now to protect, maintain, and restore the things we love on the land?

"There are no easy answers, but there are new ideas. We're glad you are here to look, listen, learn, and share. We believe the key to the future lies in the strength not only of new knowledge but also in the bond of friendship. We hope you come away from this event with new ideas, new inspiration--and new friends!

"Thank you from all of us at The Quivira Coalition."