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.

Guide to Native Grassland Management in Nebraska

The Nature Conservancy, Nebraska

The Guide to Native Grasslands Management in Nebraska was created to aid Great Plains land managers in their grassland management decisions.
How Much Habitat is Enough?

Environment Canada

Type Government Publication Organization Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service (Ontario region) Country Canada Region Great Lakes region Link http://www.ec.gc.ca/nature/E33B007C-5C69-4980-8F7B-3AD02B030D8C/894_How_much_habitat_is_enough_E_WEB_05.pdf Language English Reference Environment Canada. 2013. How Much Habitat is Enough? Third Edition. Environment Canada. Toronto,
JP Sons LLC

Russell County, Kansas

The goal of the project for JP Sons LLC was to improve the grassland ecosystem for livestock grazing and wildlife. It focused on 618 hectares of the ranch, located in the southern region of the Kansas Partners for Fish and Wildlife, North Central Prairies focus area.
Kidd Bro’s Ranch Mayerthorpe, Alberta

Bob and Larry Kidd

The Kidd Bros. ranch was originally homesteaded in 1913. Since then, the Kidd brothers have worked hard to engrain themselves not only in the land they work off, but also in the surrounding community.
Leavitt Lake Ranches

Vina, California

Located in the Vina Plains of California, Leavitt Lake Ranches uses an integral approach to manage their land and has implemented a number of management practices aimed at improving production and profitability.
Management of Canadian Prairie Rangeland

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada

This document was created by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to provide information to range managers, ranchers, scientists and wildlife managers about management practices for Canadian natural grass rangelands.
Managing Saskatchewan Rangeland

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saskatchewan

This book was created over a number of years by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to assist range managers in the stewardship of rangeland resources in Saskatchewan.
Managing Your Native Prairie Parcels: Your Guide to Caring for Native Prairie in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation created this planning guide to help landowners learn about and manage native grasslands on their land, covering topics such as native grassland conservation and enhancement…
Matador Ranch

Matador, Texas

Matador Ranch, located in Matador, Texas is a large historic US ranching and hunting operation. Established in 1882, the ranch has a long history of improving the health and productivity of its livestock, wildlife, and renewable natural resources.
Padlock Ranch

Big Horn, Montana

Padlock Ranch, located near Big Horn, Montana, demonstrates a commitment toward improved sustainability within the beef industry. The ranch’s beneficial practices focus on grazing and water management.
Perrin Ranching

Beechy, Saskatchewan

Perrin Ranching 1990 Ltd. is a fourth-generation ranch located in southwestern Saskatchewan near Beechy. Reg and Shannon Schellenberg, along with their son, Coy, and his wife, Laura-Lie, run this commercial cow/calf operation.
Pilgrim Ranch

Chase County, Kansas

The Pilgrim Ranch project site consists of 28 hectares of tallgrass prairie located within the USFWS’s Flint Hills Legacy Conservation Area and the Flint Hills focus area of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program.