2018 Speakers

Deborah Clark

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Deborah Clark and her husband, Emry Birdwell ranch outside of Henrietta, Texas. They moved to the ranch in 2004. Emry believed that using stockers was the most efficient and expedient way to restore the tall native grassland prairie. The ranch operates as one cell under planned grazing with a single herd of 5,000 or more steers. Improvement in all the ecosystem processes has been dramatic. Deborah and Emry consider the ranch to be a gift. Their obligation is to do all possible to improve, steward, and regenerate the land. Deborah is a Holistic Management Certified Educator. Her interest is to help others learn to manage their resources in a way that keeps the land, family, business, and community healthy and to foster an environment of support in the ranching community.

Big House, Big Herd, Big Tent

The Power of Holistic Management in Producing Results and Collaboration

The Big Herd of 5000 steers all grazing in one herd and moving multiple times a day grabs the attention of any who visit the Birdwell and Clark Ranch. Yes, it is romantically reminiscent of the big herds of buffalo that once grazed this tall grass prairie in north central Texas and is an experience that never gets old. There is power in the Big Herd. That power grows from a strong environmental, economic, and social foundation; one that’s taken decades to create, is resilient, ever changing, regenerative. A foundation, a holistic goal, that produces results in improving rangeland conditions, offering economic opportunity, and building strong human relationships through collaboration.

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Highlights from last year’s event.

We invite you to enjoy videos from our 2017 Conference here. The annual Quivira Conference is internationally renowned for bringing together leaders, innovators, and stewards of the land for three days of provocative plenary presentations, roundtable discussions, and networking with diverse attendees from across the southwest, the country, and globe. The conference creates a unique environment where ideas are sown, exchanged, and grown. Quivira’s outstanding speakers and attendees contribute expertise in ranching, farming, conservation, community, and all things soil, which is the key to it all. Every attendee brings something unique to the table, and each departs with inspiration, new connections, broader perspectives, and the tools necessary to effect change.

2017 Conference Speaker Videos

The Quivira Coalition documents its conference every year. We love to share the content of this event with those who were not able to join us in person. You can also view the 2017 videos, along with past years, on the Quivira You Tube page.

2017 filming by Crash Roll Films and editing by Downstream Media Maven.

Rio Grande Water Fund Panel

Rio Grande Water Fund Panel - Fire and Rain: Economic, Ecological and Community Resilience Sandra Postel, Laura McCarthy, Katherine Kuhas, Toner Mitchell This panel of experts will discuss the Rio Grande Water Fund, an innovative project created to invest in the long...

Allen Williams – Restore Soil and Ecosystem Health with Adaptive Grazing

Allen Williams Restore Soil and Ecosystem Health with Adaptive Grazing Allen Williams will speak on adaptive grazing, which produces positive compounding effects that can significantly benefit soil health, plant species complexity and diversity, insect and pollinator...

Rick Danvir – Comparing Effects of Time-Controlled Grazing…

Rick Danvir Comparing Effects of Time-Controlled Grazing, Traditional Management, and Rest on Vegetative Covers For centuries, apprenticeship has been the means of passing on the skills of many trades, from engravers and silversmiths in the middle ages, to...