NEW Ranch Land Economy
As of July 31, 2012, this program has been closed.
ince the 1800's, ranching has been a significant part of the West's history and economy. Open expanses of working ranch lands, a checkerboard of private and public ownership, characterize much of this region. Tribal ranch lands, Babbitt Ranches' CO Bar Ranch, the Diablo Trust's Bar T Bar and Flying M Ranches, and Grand Canyon Trust's Kane and Two Mile Ranches offer examples of a vibrant regional ranching industry with strong commitment to innovative, science-based, collaborative conservation and restoration of ranching landscapes across the Colorado Plateau region. However, increasing economic and environmental pressures challenge working ranches to diversify their businesses and develop new profit centers to support operations and stewardship of these important landscapes.
The goal of Northern Arizona University's New Ranchlands Economy Initiative is to assist land owners and managers to sustain ranchlands in northern Arizona through research and information sharing on emerging economic development activities including renewable energy, small-scale resource extraction, ecotourism, conservation easements, low impact housing, small diameter timber products, and sustainable agriculture such as value-added beef and native seed production.
Two projects have been completed.
- A research project conducted on instilling a recreation ethic for visitors to ranchlands has been completed. The final report will be posted by June 30, 2012.
- The New Ranchlands Economy Workshop, was held June 1, 2012 on the NAU Mountain Campus in Flagstaff. Ranchers from across the state came together with public lands, economics, law, conservation science, and business professionals to share hard-earned lessons learned and to identify gaps in expertise and knowledge needed for successful innovation in entrepreneurial stewardship. The workshop generated new ideas and a report including workshop notes and resources.
Workshop Exploring Sustainable Futures for Working Landscapes
June 1, 2012
Presentations:
- Ranching: A Tradition of Entrepreneurial Stewardship
Carrie Eberly, Diablo Trust and the NAU Lab of Landscape Ecology and Conservation Biology - Converting Ranch Operations from Diesel to Renewables
Daniel Snyder, Westwind Solar Inc.
- Recreation
Billy Cordasco, Babbitt Ranches
Evan Reimondo, NAU Center for Earth Sciences and Sustainable Environments
Handout (pdf) - A Structural Look at Succession of Family Ranches
Reba Epler, Attorney
Questionnaire - Cooperative Options
Eli Bernstein, Program Coordinator, Local FARE - The Situation as We Know It (Local Beef Processing Roundtable)
Helen Sisk, Sustainable Economic Development Initiative
Handout (pdf)
- Assets and Success Stories - Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance
Laurie Bower - Brief Overview - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Kresta Faaborg, Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Brief Overview - Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
Dominic Barrett, Fish & Wildlife Service Partners Program - Forest Service Grazing Permit Administration,
Restoration, And What it Means to You
Clare Hydock Rangeland Management Specialist, Kaibab National Forest
CONTACT US
Landsward Institute
Northern Arizona University
PO Box 5845
Flagstaff, AZ 86011-5845
Applied Research and Development Bld., #56
Suite 130
Phone (928) 523-0716
Fax (928) 523-0717
Karan English, Director
Phone: (928) 523-0670
Email: Karan.English@nau.edu
