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.

Rancho ‘El Uno’

Janos, Chihuahua

The El Uno Ecological Reserve, better known as Rancho El Uno, belongs to The Nature Conservancy NGO. The main purpose of the ranch is the conservation of grasslands and their biodiversity through the teaching and application of good stockbreeding management and grassland restoration practices.
Rancho El 15

Villa Ahumada and Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Rancho El 15 forms part of the grassland conservation collaboration initiative between the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the non-profit organizations, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, IMC Vida Silvestre and Pronatura.
Rancho El Gorguz

Janos, Chihuahua

The purpose of the adoption of sound management practices at Rancho El Gorguz was to strengthen ranch infrastructure to improve the grazing system and grassland conditions, thereby enriching the habitat for fauna.
Rancho Jaralillo

Durango, Durango

Rancho Jaralillo, located in Durango State in Mexico, implements sustainable practices inspired by the Holistic Management approach. Due to its location in a semi-arid region, the ranch is prone to soil erosion.
Rancho La Jococa

Pánuco, Zacatecas

Rancho la Jococa, located in Pánuco, Zacatecas has demonstrated a sound commitment to using sustainable ranching practices. Because it is located in a semi-arid region of Mexico, it is vital for the ranch to maintain sufficient moisture levels on the property.
Rancho Los Ángeles

Saltillo, Coahuila

Rancho Los Ángeles, located in Saltillo in Mexico, is committed to environmental stewardship and community action. This experimental ranch is run by the Antonio Narro Agrarian Autonomous University (Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro) with a view to inspire…
Rancho Plan de Álamos

Villa Ahumada and Chihuahua, Chihuahua

Rancho Plan de Álamos is located in the priority land region known as the Flores Magón and Sierra del Nido Grasslands in the central valley region of Chihuahua, where the state’s last uncultivated valleys are located. As part of the grassland conservation collaboration initiative launched by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and IMC Vida Silvestre…
Rancho San Blas

Ascensión, Chihuahua

The implementation of sound management practices at Rancho San Blas was intended to improve the grazing plan and the grassland conditions to benefit the habitat for area fauna. Prior to the project, the ranch had 10 paddocks, although their size, as well as the lack of water in some of them, made adequate cattle rotation difficult.
Rancho San Luis

Villa Ahumada, Chihuahua

Rancho San Luis forms part of the grassland conservation collaboration initiative between the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) and the non-profit organizations, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory and IMC Vida Silvestre, financed with funds from the CEC, the USFWS-NMBCA Program, and Mexico’s National Commission for Protected Natural…
Rancho Tontonilquillo

Cuencamé, Durango

Totonilquillo Ranch, located in Cuencamé in Mexico, is dedicated to enhancing native grassland health and productivity. The ranch participates in a grassland improvement program that rehabilitates degraded areas through soil conservation and the planting of native shrubs and grass species.
Ranchos Salinillas

Ranchos Salinillas, Nuevo Leon

Salinillas Ranch, located in Nuevo Leon State in Mexico, is committed to enhancing the health, productivity and profitability of their land. Grazing management strategies are central to the ranch’s success and the ranch considers grazing as an important contributor to maximum grassland health.
Rangeland Management Before, During, and After Drought

University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension, Arizona

The University of Arizona’s School of Renewable Natural Resources created this document to help land manager prepare and respond to drought events in North American grasslands.