Summary of Central Grasslands Roadmap Summit ~ Session 3

Thursday, July 23rd, 12:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Part 1: Scaling Up for the Future of Grasslands: Building Resiliency through Partnerships, Markets, Policies, and Economics

Better for the land, better for you by Marshall Johnson, Audubon

Audubon ranching initiative/certification is intended to promote beneficial management practices/supply chains as well as increase connection between those elements and consumers, increased profitability for ranchers too. Targets land with highest concentration of bird species, Northern Great Plains, which we’ve lost more than half. 2.3 million acres currently enrolled in program with 140 points of purchase, scaled via market. Partners crucial to scaling, premium pricing contributes to profitability and conservation efforts, program delivered at 95 cents/acre. Everyone wins when ranching focuses on birds.

Sustainable Grazing Lands by William Burnidge, The Nature Conservancy

Grazing lands are the single largest US land use. TNC’s North America Agriculture Program has two focal areas: sustainable grazing land and soil health/nutrients, which trickle down to protecting habitat, restoring degraded land, securing freshwater, and being climate smart. Furthermore, this means developing supply chain commitments, soil health and grazing practices, applying science, policy, and new business models, and practicing management that reduces or sequesters GHGs. Partners in the supply chain and conservation orgs are crucial. Much of the US beef sector is involved in the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, which focuses on the following indicators: water and land resources, emissions, efficiency and yield, employee safety and wellbeing, and animal health and wellbeing.

Ideas and Initiatives from Mexico Towards a Sustainable Livestock by Adrian Vega, Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER)

Meeting new demands requires increasing production sustainably in the face of uncertainty in climate and economy. There are many organizations allied in Mexico around sustainable beef practices. Mesa Redonda de Ganadería Sustentable de México (MRGSB) is the Mexican equivalent of the USRSB discuss by TNC and the previous speaker. MRGSB seeks to move towards low-carbon livestock and improve the productivity and competitiveness of the livestock industry. Tools include a national biodiversity inventory of the grazing lands and a national diagnosis of the current pastures with past trends. The overarching goal is to promote “climate-smart” agroforestry approaches with livestock producers in three pilot zones that produce technical inputs for institutional and policy framework.

Returning Buffalo to Native Lands, Lives and Economies by Trudy Ecoffey, Tanka Fund

Tankafund.org is the 501(c)(3) branch of the company Tanka Bar. 200 years ago, North American Buffalo were abundant, 30-60 million were killed in decades to control indigenous population. Taking a large grazing animal away from the landscape disturbs landscape. Tankafund.org aims to restore land to its prior state 200 years ago: overall strives to empower Native American ranchers to restore and sustain an economy centered around buffalo. Carries out this objective through grantmaking, securing capital, and providing training and technical assistance. Tanka Fund promotes economic sustainability through marketing, local foods, business planning, and promotes ecological sustainability through grassland management. Tanka also promotes spiritual, cultural, and overall well being of ranchers, land, and animals.

Collaboration for Impact at the Scale of Nature by Martha Kauffman, World Wildlife Fund

Vision: a future in which thriving prairies and abundant wildlife contribute to cultural and ecological sustainability of people inhabiting land. Seeks to restore two flagship species: bison and black-footed ferret. Carries out these objectives through partnering with local communities and driving incentives, markets, and policy. Three collaborations at three different scales: global grasslands and savannahs, sustainable financing for native nations, and Great Plains collective action. For global grasslands and savannahs, WWF seeks to elevate the international profile of these lands and deliver on-the-ground management intervention. For native nations, WWF strives to provide technical and financial resources for natives to pursue conservation on their traditional lands.

Collin O’Mara, National Wildlife Federation

Trillions of dollars will be spent towards rebuilding our economy from global pandemic, opportunity for grassland conservation funding has probably never been higher. Two numbers jumped out to him from State of Birds report: 53% in grassland birds, and 56% increase in waterfowl. Significant, dedicated funding has made the difference. Grasslands groups don’t usually rank high. House select committee on climate crisis mentions grasslands 50 times. Conservation and restoration requires lobbying at this level, particularly with new Farm Bill coming up. Bush’s No Net Loss executive order was not a panacea for all wetland challenges but was a “focusing mechanism.” Need to seek federal money for grasslands.

Part 2: Indigenous Perspectives from the Land

Perspectives from a Venerated Dakota Elder by Faith Spotted Eagle, Ihanktonwan Dakota/Yankton Sioux, Founder of Brave Heart Society

Has fought for water since the age of 12. Is a grandmother, grew up with constant land trauma. Received first electoral vote given to a Native person for US President. As a US citizen, you have responsibility to uphold indigenous land treaties. Land is not accessible sometimes without secondary or tertiary lobbying. When working with indigenous people, you have to imagine that you are an outside coming into their community. Indigenous people dually wield political power in working with the government and maintaining their ways of cultural and spiritual life. Sub-goal of 10 years in Brave Heart’s 50-year plan is to manage 150 miles of the Missouri River, hopes to re-indigenize landscape.

An Indigenous Perspective on Habitat Management by Emily Boyd Valanda, Sicangu/Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Biologist

Tribal land is somewhat “checkered” in ownership with government. Works for Rosebud Sioux Tribe Department of Natural Resources, which is currently looking to develop new conservation management plan and financial analysis/plan. Hunting “runs the show” in management practices as it is a revenue generator and popular. Rosebud Sioux seeks to integrate modern ecological land management practices into traditional ways of life and agriculture. Indigenous “lifeways” must be included in governmental structure.

Alex and Wayne Frederick, Sicangu/Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Owner/Operators of Rez Raised

Operate a sustainable ranch, shows that they can use everything they know and use it to protect lands and wildlife. Sustains family by marketing grass-fed, sustainable beef. Restoring the life sources is integral on “every acre” they control. Fencing practices and water placement brought back a large array of wildlife. Wayne’s father was first to bring back buffalo to Rosebud reservation in 1983. Can’t bring buffalo back to their ranch yet, so they raise cattle like buffalo. Consulting indigenous nations always needs to be a part of large-scale grassland management planning.