Bio-Diversity - Pitchstone Waters (Page 28)

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Bio-Diversity

Biodiversity = sustainability. To date scientists have described 1.7 million of the world's species of animals, plants, insects and algae—and they’ve not all been described…or discovered. The number, while vast, is less important than the point it makes: nature requires diversity.

how Holistic Management is beginning to spread in Chihuahua.

"Invasion Biology"

Happy New Year from Circle Ranch

“Soil is… as it were… a direct caress of God” – Pope Francis, 2015 Carbon Underground Pope Francis Climate Rally DC 1080 Hi Res from The Carbon Underground on Vimeo. “Land, then, is not merely soil; it is a fountain of energy flowing through a circuit of soils, plants, and animals.

circle_ranch_bison_hudspeth_county_herald

"Invasion Biology"

Bison, Cattle, and the Shortgrass Prairie of West Texas and New Mexico

Cattle herds managed under “holistic planned grazing” can replace the animal impact of missing bison herds. As explained below, grazing by large animals is necessary for grassland health. NOTE: article originally appeared in the Hudspeth County Herald on November 6th, 2015 Though the American bison, or buffalo, is now a

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Circle Ranch's New Heifers October 2015

This winter we are running 500 heifers at Circle Ranch. Here is the first bunch to arrive Circle Ranch’s New Heifers October 2015 from Christopher Gill on Vimeo.

Circle Ranch Game Cameras: Using Biodiversity to Restore Desert Grasslands

"Invasion Biology"

Circle Ranch Game Cameras: Using Biodiversity to Restore Desert Grasslands

Many wildlife “managers” try to eliminate most of the species pictured below to increase bighorn, or some other favored species like deer or pronghorn. Their actions harm the animals they intend to help because biodiversity is necessary for healthy wild animals and habitat. Until our practices are based on this

circle_ranch_cattle_feature_2

"Invasion Biology"

Consevacion de Pastizales del Desierto Chihuahuense Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands Conservation

Planned grazing is well understood in Mexico

Recent Deer Breeding Survey Results Outlined By QDMA CEO

Recent Deer Breeding Survey Results Outlined By QDMA CEO

This survey was made before it was known that Chronic Wasting Disease has been introduced into South Texas by deer breeders. By Colleen Schreiber GLEN ROSE — Those attending the recent Deer Study Group meeting heard the results of two surveys focusing on various aspects of the deer breeding industry. To

federal_lands_west_texas

"Invasion Biology"

Can the States Seize Control of Federal Lands?

When Texas joined the union, we kept our public lands and almost all of those were sold over the next hundred years. That’s why 97% of Texas is private. This is a major reason for the economic viability of our state. Nevada in contrast is owned 80% by the

Jean-Claude_Juncker_13598006975

"Invasion Biology"

Wall Street Journal Versus Germany, Science and Common Sense

Germans, who invented environmentalism in the early 1800’s are simply recognizing the current evidence: Roundup causes cancer. Wall Street Journal spins this for their cronies, changing the subject from Roundup to GMO seeds, as if there were a difference. It also says the regulatory rubber-stamping of destructive agribusiness practices

sa_express_news_deer_wasting_lavaca

"Invasion Biology"

Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Lavaca County Deer; Ranch Quarantined

Obvious responses to CWD are blocked by the economic interdependence of universities, agencies, conservation organizations and legislatures with the agricultural and agrochemical giants. Decisions within this coalition of special interests are often based internal politics, turf fights and cronyism. Another block is the crippling dogma of invasive species “biology”, which

circle_ranch_west_texas_ram_feature

"Invasion Biology"

Animal and Plant Biodiversity Restoring Desert Habitats at Circle Ranch

A basic doctrine of wildlife “management” is that nature is under attack by thousands of “invasive” plant and animal species which “compete” with “natives” to “harm ecosystem health.” Analysis of the knowledge supporting this ideology exposes invasive species biology as pseudo-science: biological bigotry, dignified with empirically-hollow buzzwords. Efforts to eradicate

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Response Highlights Texas’ Claim to Own Deer, Even Captive Ones

"Invasion Biology"

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Response Highlights Texas’ Claim to Own Deer, Even Captive Ones

Texas’ deer policy suffers from a bad case of schizophrenia: deer belong to the public but can be treated like livestock. Small wonder deer breeders think they own “their” deer. In 1975 Al Brothers and Murphy Ray published Producing Quality Whitetails, showing how landowners might selectively harvest deer to produce

deer_wasting_forum

TPWD's Chronic Wasting Disease Plan Will be Aired Across Texas

Like its cousin Mad Cow Disease, CWD was started and spread by the confinement of animals in feedlot conditions, part of the larger body of industrial agriculture practices which are a growing part of wildlife “management”. These include artificial feed and supplements of minerals, hormones, antibiotics and other additives. This

A Lesson for Wildlife "Management”: The Rise of the Medical Bureaucrat and Centralized Health Care

A Lesson for Wildlife "Management”: The Rise of the Medical Bureaucrat and Centralized Health Care

The rise of the medical bureaucracy has harmed health care by reducing the role of doctors in health care decisions. The wildlife parallel is that the ever-expanding role of the agribusiness monopolies, agencies, universities and NGOs, has usurped the historic role of ranchers and farmers, and displaced their traditional methods

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"Invasion Biology"

State Culls 35 Deer From Area Ranch to Test For Chronic Wasting Disease

The dirty little secret of Chronic Wasting Disease is that it was created in a government-funded Colorado wildlife experimental facility: the Front Range Experimental Station in Fort Collins Colorado. While there is collective amnesia about what was being done to these confined animals, there is no doubt this is where

They Brought Wolves to Yellowstone But Had No Idea This Would Be The Result

"Invasion Biology"

They Brought Wolves to Yellowstone But Had No Idea This Would Be The Result

Predators including wolves are important to habitat because they influence animal behavior in ways that benefit plants. Predator eradications always harm habitat and the animals the eradications are intended to help. Cattlemen and conservations alike should take note. NOTE: post originally appeared on TheShrug.net on May 19, 2015 After

CWD Detected In Captive Deer Breeding Facility Near Medina

Animal Development

CWD Detected In Captive Deer Breeding Facility Near Medina

This was bound to happen as wildlife “management” increasingly copies the confinement methods of industrial agriculture. AUSTIN —(TAHC)— A two year-old white-tailed deer in a Medina County deer breeding facility has been confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease. This is the first case of CWD detected in captive white-tailed deer

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"Invasion Biology"

Bees' Decline Linked to Poisons

When “managing” wildlife and habitat, it is useful to think of plants, animals and soil life as a single organism. Whatever hurts any part of this organism, harms the organism as a whole. NOTE: this article originally appeared on WSJ.com May 26th EU to Revisit Question of Insecticides’ Responsibility

A Sharp Spike in Honeybee Deaths Deepens a Worrisome Trend

"Invasion Biology"

A Sharp Spike in Honeybee Deaths Deepens a Worrisome Trend

Yet another example of the damage being done to biodiversity, in this case insects, by the chemicals used in our industrial agriculture. This is germane to wildlife and habitat. NOTE: this article originally appeared on NYTimes.com on May 13th, 2015 A prolonged and mysterious die-off of the nation’s

"Invasion Biology"

Cows Can Save the World

I write to offer a constructive way forward in the tragic cultural genocide unfolding in America’s wonderful western ranching culture that is embedded in the nation’s culture. I do so knowing the risk of trying to help a lion by operating on a back molar in its jaw.

how Holistic Management is beginning to spread in Chihuahua.

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Grasslands Restoration: Manejo Holistico in Chihuahua - Las Damas Ranch

At Circle Ranch, holistic planned grazing of herds including the one above has been very beneficial to wildlife and habitat. Planned grazing is increasingly used in northern Chihuahua, as described below. NOTE: this post has been re-published with permission of the author and HMI – after originally appearing in HMI’s

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Livestock Management for Coexistence with Large Carnivores, Healthy Land and Productive Ranches

Experience is proving that when cattle are run in large herds they are less susceptible to predation, especially from smaller predators like coyotes and Mexican Wolves. LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT FOR COEXISTENCE WITH LARGE CARNIVORES, HEALTHY LAND AND PRODUCTIVE RANCHES A white paper by Matt Barnes, Field Director for Rangeland Stewardship Keystone

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Animal Development

Returning the Wolf to Texas

The Mexican Wolf would be highly beneficial to West Texas wildlife, habitats, and cattle raising. NOTE: Post Originally Appeared on Rick Libello’s site on March 14, 2015 Less than a 100 yards from my office at the El Paso Zoo every day I am reminded of one of the

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"Invasion Biology"

Desert Habitat Restoration: Opposing Assumptions about Wildlife Biodiversity

Pictured below are 10 species of animals photographed in our mountains at Circle Ranch during Spring 2015. Conventional wildlife “management” says six of these species should be removed as they are assumed to “harm” desert bighorn sheep, desert mule deer, pronghorn and their habitat. CLICK HERE FOR 75 PHOTOS: Diablo

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Animal Development

Pronghorn, Desert Bighorn & Lambs at Circle Ranch in Spring 2015

Three short videos of pronghorn and bighorn taken late winter and early spring 2015. We have lots of both. Mother bighorn and last year’s lamb. Pronghorn herd gathering at water. Bighorn ewes and lamb. Circle Ranch’s recipe for abundant pronghorn and bighorn: 1. Encourage animal biodiversity. 2. Periodically,

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"Invasion Biology"

2.7 Million Creatures Killed Last Year in U.S.'s Secretive War on Animals

Publicly-funded wildlife eradications are a big surprise to many people. NOTE:orginially appeared on TheDodo.com Nearly 7,400 wild animals were slaughtered every single day on average across the U.S. last year — not by hunters or poachers, but by a government agency whose stated mission is “to resolve