Bighorn Navajo Nation Game Surveys The Navajo Nation contains some of the most beautiful high-desert mountain country in the American Southwest. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on November 12, 2018.
"Invasion Biology" Life of Elk Elk are Texas natives. Largely wiped out by 1900, they are poised to recover in far-West Texas, but need the same protection as other native game species. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 6, 2018.
Bio-Diversity Sandhill Cranes Talking Near Cascade Idaho Sandhill Cranes have been around for between 2.8 and 10-million years: That makes them one of the oldest living birds. They migrate thousands of miles from northern summer breeding grounds. Some have made it as far as Europe and even China. This group of Sandhill Cranes were vocalizing in
"Invasion Biology" Restoring Bison at the American Prairie Reserve Buffalo were the keystone grazing animals of the American Great Plains. At the American Prairie Reserve in Northeastern Montana, the plan is to recreate the world’s largest bison herd. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 23, 2018
Bio-Diversity Church-Affiliated Ranch Balances Agriculture and Conservation in Central Florida Deseret Cattle and Citrus, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been going strong for 65 years. This commercial farming and ranching operation is situated on about 295,000 acres in parts of three Florida counties between Orlando and Melbourne.
Bio-Diversity See Why the Mysterious Mountain Lion Is the ‘Bigfoot’ of Big Cats Much like the legendary Bigfoot or Yeti, the elusive mountain lion has also acquired its own mythical status.
"Wolves" Wolves and Moose at Pitchstone Waters It’s springtime at Pitchstone Waters Ranch, which means that we can access our game cameras in the high forests along our boundary with the national forest, and see last winter’s photos. The game camera that took these photos is located in our northeast corner, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone
"Invasion Biology" The Life and Legend of America's Most Famous Wild Horse Picasso is a nearly 30-year-old pinto who still roams free in the Sand Wash Basin in northwestern Colorado.
Animal Growth Tribute to Mule Deer A wonderful video from the Mule Deer Foundation. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on June 11, 2018
"Invasion Biology" Restoration of Beaver in Arizona's San Pedro River Beavers are a keystone species in desert ecosystems. See how beaver restoration is healing a degraded Arizona river and its Mexican tributaries. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 28, 2018
"Invasion Biology" Elk Restoration This video on the restoration of elk in Kentucky and other Eastern states begins, “There is perhaps no higher calling for a wildlife conservation organization than restoring extirpated wildlife species back to their historic ranges.” How true, except in Texas, where our state game department with the support or acquiescence
Bio-Diversity Gulleys for Desert Grassland Restoration #2 Using a gulley to create a riparian meadow in the desert. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on May 31, 2017 To see another example of this practice, click here.
Bio-Diversity Rangeland Restoration: Subsoil Contour Plowing at Circle Ranch, in far-West Texas Subsoil contour plowing is an excellent way to increase water absorption in the desert grasslands of far-West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The effectiveness of the practice is shown in these before-and-after comparisons. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 9, 2017.
Conservation Chihuahuas and Keyline “Chichuahuas and Keyline” explains Chocolate the Keyline Dog’s take on contour subsoil plowing. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 13, 2017.
Conservation Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #12: Chupacabra Dam Another example of a small dam that spills water from an eroded gulley, to reduce road washing and to irrigate a few acres of grassland at Circle Ranch in the high-desert mountains of far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on October 2, 2017
Conservation Gulleys for Grassland Restoration: #7 Best Equipment When we divert rainstorm runoff from eroding gulleys to restore desertifying canyons and grasslands, what are the best equipment & practices? Our conclusions might surprise you. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on September 4th, 2017
Bio-Diversity Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #9: Harvesting Water in Steep Canyons Restoring the Southwest’s desert grasslands takes water. Most ranches treat eroding gulleys and roads – and their stormwater runoffs – as liabilities. In fact these are potential water assets on every ranch. This little diversion dam harvests water from a steep desert canyon and returns it to water-starved meadows, restoring upstream
"Invasion Biology" Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #5: Upper Pennel Canyon at Circle Ranch Using a mountain gulley for erosion control and desert grassland restoration at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on August 14, 2017. This little dam took 45-minutes to build.
Bio-Diversity Using an Eroded Gulley to Recreate a Wet Meadow This video, #8, is a companion piece to #3 in the series. It shows how Fred’s Dam works during a rain, how the redirected water has created a seasonal wet meadow, what is happening to the water as it exits the wet meadow, and how that water might be
Bio-Diversity Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #4: Los Cuates Canyon at Circle Ranch Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #4: Los Cuates Canyon discusses specific gulley problems and treatments in a mountain canyon at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. It is one of a series that demonstrates how to remedy eroded roadbeds and gulleys: returning water to grasslands and plants, using natural rainfall to irrigate
"Invasion Biology" Drought Busters 101 “Drought Busters” is an inexpensive, quick, physiologically and economically sustainable method of habitat and wildlife restoration. We call it Drought Busters because it increases effective rainfall by rebuilding soil fertility and the soil’s ability to absorb and store water. This video explains Drought Busters, and our experience on how
Bio-Diversity Gulleys for Grassland Restoration #3 Eroded galleys can be used to restore desertifying grasslands – alongside creosote bush – without chemicals. Third in a series filmed at Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. NOTE: this post was originally published to this site on July 24, 2017.
Beaver Life on a Beaver Dam Produced by Dave Ruane, who says: “Beaver dams are amazing. They create a diverse and changing habitat for lots of wildlife and a convenient “bridge” too! On this dam I had over 100-clips of raccoons using the dam as a travel corridor!” Life on a Beaver Dam from Dave Ruane
"Invasion Biology" Game Videos Spring 2015 These videos were taken at what we call Sheep Tank, a water point that overlooks one of our largest canyons. Many species share this water, with no visible conflict with each other, or harm to habitat.
Fish Crossing Fish Crossing - Sweetwater Texas (?!) Someone is pulling our leg about the location. You have to love his comment however: “Now we know something besides chickens and crawdads cross the road to get to the other side.” <
