 | Because Montana ranch families are proud of their generations of
stewardship and of all it entails -- proud that the vast landscapes they own
and manage still look more as they did when Lewis & Clark saw them than
virtually any other lands in America -- and they want them to stay that way.
|
| Because the certification process for “Undaunted Land Stewards,” conducted
with the assistance of range management specialists at Montana State
University, gives ranch families tools to help keep improving their land
management -- often resulting in measurable increases in naturally sustained
productivity, benefiting both livestock production as well as fish and
wildlife populations. |
| Because the certification process produces a written grazing plan for
participating ranches that applies state-of-the-science range management
practices on a site-specific basis. This elevates confidence and
quality-control -- makes it easier to monitor and track environmental
progress. |
| Because certification as an “Undaunted Land Steward” helps families
accurately monitor and forecast range conditions, allowing steadily improved
stewardship. This delivers heightened promise that natural land productivity
will be sustainable. |
| Because “Undaunted Land Stewards” become local-area model operations,
inspiring improved stewardship on an increasing amount of privately-owned
rangeland in Montana. |
| Because certification provides a mechanism for Montana ranch families to
collectively demonstrate how modern ranching delivers positive environmental
benefits -- to fish and wildlife, to open space preservation, water quality
and other resources -- far beyond its significance to high-quality food
production. |
