Ecosystem Management

Ecosystem management is defined as the implementation of practices to maintain the provision of major ecological goods and services while restoring and conserving natural resources that sustain productive grasslands.

Ecosystem management practices provide strategies for reducing habitat loss and fragmentation, restoring habitat for wildlife and endangered species, improving forage production, maintaining watershed and soil protection and increasing biodiversity conservation at multiple scales. A healthy grassland ecosystem is the backbone of a sustainable ranching operation and contributes to the overall health of the surrounding environment.

These practices can also reduce the need for inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers, increase the productive capacity of the land and reduce production risks. They have the potential to maintain or even increase operational profitability. In addition, adopting such beneficial management practices can increase land value and provide opportunities for alternative income generation through recreation and other niche market activities.

77 Ranch

Blooming Grove, Texas

Located near Blooming Grove, Texas, 77 Ranch has grown over the past 37 years as it acquired neighboring lands. Restoring native grasses has been central to the ranch’s conservation efforts; it currently hosts over 200 species of forbs and grasses in its pastures.
A Land Manager’s Guide to Grassland Birds of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Watershed Authority

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority created this guide to “provide ranchers with basic information on the identification, habitat and biology of grassland birds…[and] how pasture management influences grassland birds and their habitat.”
A Stewardship Guide to Grasslands in Southern Ontario

Ontario Barn Owl Recovery Project, Ontario

The Ontario Barn Owl Recovery project created this document to introduce sustainable stewardship practices for Southern Ontario grasslands to agricultural producers and rural landowners.
Adaptation to Climate Change in Management of Prairie Grasslands

Saskatchewan Research Council

The Prairies Regional Adaptation Collaborative created this document to identify the vulnerability of prairie grasslands to climate change and to recognize appropriate responses to mitigate predicted changes.
Alexander Ranch Sun City, Kansas

Ted Alexander

The Alexander Ranch of Sun City, Kansas has been selected as one of the regional recipients of the 2007 Environmental Stewardship Award Program [by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association].
Bar LD Ranch

Bonnyville, Alberta

Bar LD Ranch, located near Bonnyville, Alberta demonstrates a commitment to land management, water quality, wildlife conservation, and leadership activities in the community. Because of the erosion-prone sandy and rocky soil (common to the region) rotational grazing and moderate stocking rates are used to maintain rangeland health…
BC Grassland Stewardship Guide: A Guide for Ranchers and Recreation Users

BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks

This guide was created by British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks to help ranchers and recreation users to recognize stewardship activities as crucial to the successful conservation of diverse, healthy grasslands.
Beneficial Grazing Management Practices for Sage–Grouse

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

The Range Management Branch of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development created this document in order to provide land managers with grazing management practices that will enhance Sage-Grouse habitat on their land.
Bill Barby Ranch

Clark County, Kansas

The B bar B ranch is located in southwest Kansas within the Great Plains of North America. The property is primarily a working cattle operation with small-scale, premium deer hunting. The region also exhibits abundant northern bobwhite quail and other grassland birds.
Biodiversity Conservation Guide for Farmers and Ranchers in Alberta

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Alberta

This guide, published by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, describes six basic principles of biodiversity conservation, listing supporting management strategies for each principle.
Bold Ranch

Winifred, Montana

Located near Winifred, Montana, Bold Ranch operates as a sustainable working and recreational enterprise. Bold Ranch was an early adopter of no-till farming in the region, providing soil and water conservation and carbon sequestration benefits.
Burnette Ranch

Comanche County, Kansas

Burnette Ranch is located within the Southwestern Tablelands in the Cimarron Breaks ecoregion of the Great Plains. This ranch has benefited from grazing management, exhibiting excellent climax native grass species composition, a diverse forb community and an active lesser prairie-chicken lek.