For the past couple of years Aububon has been working on a Conservation Ranching Program to support ranchers who are doing right by the land and for the birds.
This program is working to save the 1% of entact prairie that remains in the U.S. Audubon has created a "Grazed on Bird Friendly Land" label that ranchers in the program can use to increase the premium for their meat (as much as 50 cents to $2/pound premium). So far 40 ranchers who manage 600,000 acres have signed up for the program.
Holistic producers Paul and Gabe Brown of Brown Ranch near Bismark, North Dakota have signed up for this program. Because their Holistic Management practices are already creating good bird habitat and increasing soil fertility, it was an easy decision for them to make. Given that the Dakotas are in a critical flyway that is losing a great deal of nesting grounds, their efforts and the efforts of other ranchers will make a big difference for the survival of these birds. The Browns will share their experience with other area producers interested in the program.
Gabe notes that since they have begun managing holistically, they have been able to give recovery periods of 360 days. “Think of that, wildlife has the rest of the year. So that land has time to recover, which means you have all the nesting possibilities, the wildlife habitat and the insects. Since we have gone to this type of production model there has been an exponential increase in the wildlife on this place."
To learn more about how Holistic Management producers are improving bird, pollinator, and wildlife habitat, visit our Soil and Conservation page.
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Holistic Management International’s mission is to educate people in regenerative agriculture for healthy land and thriving communities.
We have helped farmers and ranchers in 130 countries learn and practice Holistic Management for the past 3 decades. You can read some of their Success Stories to learn how Holistic Management has changed their lives and impacted their land.
As a non-profit organization, HMI is always grateful for donations in support of our mission. You can help regenerate land for healthy food and healthy lives with many giving options including scholarships for farmer/rancher training. Learn more here.
