07/20/06 Grazing to the rescue part II

Grazing to the Rescue II Grazing experiments have yielded wonderful results in restoring grasslands. What could possibly curtail these results? I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back to tell you. Yesterday I told you about the great work of two Nevada BLM rangemen, Rich Benson and Earl McKinney, who assembled a team to improve grasslands through controlled grazing. Well, the experiments were a total success and caught the attention of a private foundation to the tune of a $600,000 grant to be used to continue their work. Moving right along, Federal Environmental Assessments were completed and contracts were signed with appropriate parties. What a scenario  success and money to continue success  what could possibly go wrong? Well, Benson and McKinney found out rather quickly when the Carson City BLM office came under new management. These officials with an agenda had not seen the rangemen's work that had healed riparian areas, brought back native plants, rejuvenated springs, and extended stream flows. Moreover, they would not believe the documentation of the work and its success. This unwillingness of the officials to accept facts or possibly their willingness to allow ranges to remain unproductive led to the loss of the $600,000 grant, and the retirement of Earl McKinney. Unfortunately, Rich Benson died, but the team they created still works to restore native ranges and inform others of the benefits of properly managed grazing. All over the West grazing is used as a tool to restore beneficial vegetation anywhere from old mine tailings ponds to depleted grasslands. I'm Jeff Keane. Range Summer 2006