Biodiversity - Pitchstone Waters (Page 3)

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Biodiversity

A collection of 114 posts

4 Most Endangered Whitetail Destinations in America

4 Most Endangered Whitetail Destinations in America

Quoting the article below, “ The great state of Texas sports one of the most robust and proud deer hunting cultures in the nation, but it’s also home to what some consider the greatest threat to deer hunting in all of America: the captive deer industry. NOTE: this article was

Feeding the Wildlife Isn’t Free

Feeding the Wildlife Isn’t Free

As discussed below, in private lands wildlife management, “No good deed goes unpunished”. NOTE: this article was originally published to Onland.WesternLandOwners.org on May 4, 2023. It was written by Billy Whitehurst. We Call This the Ranch’s Catch-22: the Better the Job We Do, the More of

Glyphosate for Breakfast?

Glyphosate for Breakfast?

As discussed below, “American applications of Glyphosate – the most heavily-used chemical weed killer in human history – increased sixteen-fold between 1987 and 2007. Today, traces of the chemical are found far from the farm. It is so widespread that unless you live in a bubble and grow your own

Nature’s Fear Factor

Nature's Fear Factor

“For animals in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, the normal balance of competition and predation was upended when a war wiped out the top predators. The remaining animals didn’t simply grow in numbers—they began behaving in unusual ways, veering outside their typical territories and feeding patterns. Could it

The Function of Time in Environmental Recovery

The Function of Time in Environmental Recovery

Understanding the grass and grazer relationship NOTE: this article was originally published to ACHMonline.org A deep dive into a Holistic Management key insight Understanding how TIME affects overgrazing (environmental damage), rather than animal numbers is one of the Four Key Insights that Allan Savory describes in Holistic Management, A

Releasing Beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, 5-Miles from Yellowstone Park

Artificial Beaver Dams

Releasing Beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, 5-Miles from Yellowstone Park

This video of Pitchstone Waters’ second beaver release during the summer of 2020 contains excellent remarks by staff of the Idaho Fish and Game Department. Releasing Beaver on the Fall River in Idaho, near Yellowstone Park from Christopher Gill on Vimeo. NOTE: this video was originally published to this site

stewardship_with_vision_episode_7_san_juan_ranch

Stewardship with Vision, Episode 7: San Juan Ranch

This Western Landowners Alliance film by filmmaker Jason Roehrig features Colorado cattle ranchers George Whitten and Julie Sullivan, whose stewardship has restored and increased healthy biological processes while providing for a sustainable ranching model. While continually seeking balance between social, environmental and economic values, George and Julie have succeeded in

Drax: UK Power Station Owner Cuts Down Primary Forests in Canada

Drax: UK Power Station Owner Cuts Down Primary Forests in Canada

More insanity from the anti-fossil fuel programs is reported below. These wood pellets burn dirtier than natural gas, crude oil, or coal. The so-called “renewable” forests take centuries to regrow. The energy produced costs many times more per BTU than fossil fuels. Meanwhile most all these countries sit

stewardship_with_vision_episode_2

Stewardship with Vision – Episode 2: Malpai Borderlands Group

In the high desert of southern Arizona and New Mexico, almost a million acres of important habitats and nearly 30 at-risk species are being protected and conserved…by a coalition of ranchers who manage from “The Radical Center”… – The Malpai Borderlands Group NOTE: this post was originally published to

leopold_conservation_dixon_water_foundation

Rotational Cattle Grazing to Restore Degraded Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands and Promote Watershed Health

Describing the Mimms Ranch in Marfa, Texas, the authors write, “The Foundation aims for practical conservation, with the belief that restored grasslands improve overall watershed health, resources for native wildlife, and continued support of ranching.” NOTE: this article was originally published to usbr.maps.arcgis.com. As well – it was

Beasts of Burden

"Invasion Biology"

Wild Horses are Neither Pets nor Vermin

The wild horse “crisis” is about ideologies, not biology. Western wild horse management remains aground on the rocks of the competing dogmas of horse proponents and horse opponents. One side wants horses “gone”, while the other wants horses everywhere, but untouched and not used for work or food, as they

Lose Grazing Animals, Gain Wildfires

Lose Grazing Animals, Gain Wildfires

“As discussed below, well-managed domestic cattle, bison, other livestock and grazing animals can restore ecosystems and biodiversity, upcycle grasses humans can’t eat into bioavailable nutrition, reduce wildfire risk, and help us create a better planet for our future. NOTE: this article was originally published to Weekly.Regeneration.Works

Why Hunting is Necessary to the Health of Wildlife and Habitats

Why Hunting is Necessary to the Health of Wildlife and Habitats

“Remarks by Christopher Gill to The International Order of St. Hubertus. “If you have not adopted holistic thinking, you are part of the anti-hunting problem.” NOTE: this article can also be accessed here ->

How the Texas Puma Saved the Florida Panther

"Invasion Biology"

How Texas Cougars Saved the Florida Panther

Uncovering the genetic details of a conservation success story.

Wild Horses Benefiting From Dr. Jane Goodall’s Leadership and Work

"Invasion Biology"

Wild Horses Benefiting From Dr. Jane Goodall's Leadership and Work

“More about a humane, cost-effective, holistic and all Natural solution for managing American wild horses. NOTE: this article was written by William E. Simpson II – Ethologist & Founder-CEO – Wild Horse Fire Brigade Org. It is published here with permission Ethologist Michelle Gough seen studying and photographing free-roaming

Grand Teton Cull Ends With 58 Mt. Goats Killed, Primarily in Park’s North End

"Invasion Biology"

Grand Teton Cull Ends With 58 Mt. Goats Killed, Primarily in Park's North End

According to the article below, the National Park Service (NPS) has decided to exterminate wild mountain goats in the Teton-Yellowstone Parks because they (1) are non-native, (2) “compete” with bighorn and (3) might infect them with diseases. NPS claims to follow the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation

Adjusting the Lens of Invasion Biology to Focus on the Impacts of Climate-driven Range Shifts

"Invasion Biology"

Adjusting the Lens of Invasion Biology to Focus on the Impacts of Climate-driven Range Shifts

The authors observe that as climate changes, plants and animals move around. They say this is good, and natural. NOTE: this paper was originally published to Nature.com on on November 14, 2021. It was written by Piper D. Wallingford, Toni Lyn Morelli, Jenica M. Allen, Evelyn M. Beaury, Dana

It’s Time to Stop Demonizing “Invasive” Species

"Invasion Biology"

It’s Time to Stop Demonizing “Invasive” Species

“Here is a thoughtful article that challenges the “science” behind invasive species “biology”. NOTE: this article was originally published to Vox.com on on November 28, 2021. It was written by Marina Bolotnikova. Climate change is forcing some animals to move. Don’t call them “invasives.” Marine ecologist Piper Wallingford

Not Quite Right – Not All Herbivores Are The Same

"Invasion Biology"

Not Quite Right - Not All Herbivores Are The Same

More thoughts on how – and why – wild horses can improve habitat and reduce wildfire. NOTE: this content below is written by, and published here with permission from, Capt. William E. Simpson II – USMM Ret. Naturalist – Author – Conservationist A herd of wild horses in the Soda Mountain Wilderness have been using

Grand Teton National Park Hopes Collaboration, Not Closures, Will Protect Bighorn Sheep

"Invasion Biology"

Grand Teton National Park Hopes Collaboration, Not Closures, Will Protect Bighorn Sheep

According to the “experts” quoted below, backcountry skiers threaten bighorn sheep numbers. This is contrary to our hands-on, 20-year experience with the desert bighorn sheep in far-West Texas. If humans don’t harass them, bighorn ignore people. As reported on this blog, a miner in the Sierra

‘Silver Bullet’ for Business: The Aussie Farmers Bringing Dingoes Back

'Silver Bullet' for Business: The Aussie Farmers Bringing Dingoes Back

As discussed below, restoring predators in the Australian outback has had very positive effects on habitat and animals. NOTE: this article was originally published to WAToday.com.au on July 26, 2021. It was written by Emma Young. Cattle farmers from Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales are reaping

The Unconventional Weapon Against Future Wildfires: Goats

The Unconventional Weapon Against Future Wildfires: Goats

Appearing below is an excellent article on goats and wildfire control. Goats have worked very well for us at Pitchstone Waters in Idaho, as discussed extensively in this blog. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on September 18, 2021. It was written by Coral Murphy Marcos. In

pando_forest_utah

It’s the Largest Living Organism on Earth, and It’s Hiding in Plain Sight in Utah

“The largest – and possibly oldest – living organism. NOTE: this article was originally published to the Deseret News’ Apple News channel on August 15, 2021. It was written by Lee Benson. The Pando Aspen Grove near Fish Lake in south central Utah has been existing, and minding its own business, since

"Invasion Biology"

Utah Mountain Goat Statewide Management Plan

“The National Parks Service is on a mission to eradicate wild goats from Teton and Yellowstone Parks, based on “competition”. Utah disagrees with their premise. Quoting Utah’s goat management plan, “Even where both (bighorn and goats) are present, resource partitioning (competition) appears to minimize conflicts (Laundre 1994). Specifically, there

Groups Call for Reintroduction of Jaguars in US Southwest

As described in the article below, advocates of jaguar restoration “contend that reintroducing the cats is essential to species conservation and restoration of the region’s ecosystem”. The advocates are correct. Habitat and wildlife restoration cannot be restored until we increase the numbers and species of prey (including wild horses)