One of my favorite quotes by Aldo Leopold in his book, A Sand County Almanac. A classic read for any upcoming wildlife biologist, nature-lover, or outdoors person. This quote reminds me of the well-known saying “leave it better than you found it”. A saying that had been engrained in me ever since I was just a kid playing in the river behind my house. I am fortunate that I grew up as an “outdoor kid”.

Fort Collins Audubon Society hosts Rachel Belouin, Program Manager, Southern Plains, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
“Grasslands, Birds, and Grazing”
Thursday, May 11
Social time with Refreshments 7 p.m.; Announcements 7:20; Presentation, 7:30
Door Prize Drawing (must be present to win)
Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr.
***This program will also be accessible online using Zoom***
Enter the following link at 7 p.m.: https//us02web.zoom.us/j/8783050898
Rachel Belouin, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, will explore how compatible uses create habitat and resilience on our Great Plains. Rachel works with private landowners (farmers and ranchers) and other partners to help engage best practices for working lands to ensure grasslands stay in grass and to enhance wildlife habitat, especially for avian species. She also will share how Bird Conservancy of the Rockies approaches this unique partnership between beef and birds.
Rachel has a master’s degree in Natural Resource Stewardship with a concentration in grasslands and ecological restoration from Colorado State University. She is the Stewardship Program Manager, Southern Plains, with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies. Rachel has experience working and living on a third-generation cattle ranch and enjoys riding her horse, trail running with her son, and a great book. Join us for this informative program on May 11. It is free and the public is welcomed!
The first time meeting a bull I thought there should be much more care taken. We parked the pick-up in the two-lane adjacent to the white mound napping and chewing his cud. He didn’t move or glace our way as we approached. I walked equal to the rancher; if he was going in, I was, too.
On Sunday, March 13th, I saw my first Mountain Bluebird of the year. He was coming off the south fence of the northwestern pasture. He launched, dipped, then propelled making it to the opposite side to watch me travel on, my car having done more to move him than the cows, or even the coyotes could manage.
Update from the field! Seasonal Bird Conservancy banders are working in the Chihuahuan Desert this winter to tag non-breeding grassland birds for our Motus project. Read the blog to learn more about what they are doing and how it will aid in our efforts to help grasslands and the birds that call it their home.
Another summer in the Northern Great Plains has come and gone, now fleeting as quickly as it arrived. With it, the many birds who travel thousands of miles to call these grasslands home during the breeding season have begun to make the long journey back to their wintering grounds. For the many ranchers and farmers of eastern Montana, the work is not done.
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies implements wintering grassland bird monitoring throughout the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico and the southern United States. The data we collecst inform Full Annual-Cycle conservation strategies of grassland bird species in decline. We train field crews in English and Spanish in order to implement consistent and high quality data collection across the international border. We highly value the expertise of our conservation partners in Mexico.and our have embraced the bilingual and multicultural component of our programs in the region.

This one day workshop will explore how good grazing management is key to improving profit in the ranching business. Learn how to improve land and create a profitable business that can stay in the family for generations.
The Ranching For Profit School will help you to find the breakthroughs that will improve the health and productivity of your ranch, the profitability of your business and the quality of your life.
Classroom will discuss economics of grazing management, grazing principles, soil health, and application of the grazing principles.
Pre-registration is required. REGISTER HERE!
Find more information on the Ranching for Profit Flyer (Chadron, NE)

This one day workshop will explore how good grazing management is key to improving profit in the ranching business. Learn how to improve land and create a profitable business that can stay in the family for generations.
The Ranching For Profit School will help you to find the breakthroughs that will improve the health and productivity of your ranch, the profitability of your business and the quality of your life.
Classroom will discuss economics of grazing management, grazing principles, soil health, and application of the grazing principles.
Pre-registration is required. REGISTER HERE!
Find more information on the Ranching for Profit Flyer (Sturgis, SD)

This one day workshop will explore how good grazing management is key to improving profit in the ranching business. Learn how to improve land and create a profitable business that can stay in the family for generations.
The Ranching For Profit School will help you to find the breakthroughs that will improve the health and productivity of your ranch, the profitability of your business and the quality of your life.
Classroom will discuss economics of grazing management, grazing principles, soil health, and application of the grazing principles.
Pre-registration is required. REGISTER HERE!
Find more information on the Ranching for Profit Flyer (Glendive, MT)