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SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH COLOR CONTEMPLATION

SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH COLOR CONTEMPLATION

As I listened to their grunts and grumbles, the rut certainly close if not already underway, I wondered, what does brown mean? And in that question, I found myself satisfied without an answer, fully present in contemplation and curiosity, completely slack jawed at the vast beauty of Caprock Canyon State Park.

MASTER HUNTER PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR LANDOWNERS TO MANAGE WILDLIFE AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

MASTER HUNTER PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR LANDOWNERS TO MANAGE WILDLIFE AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

At Topos & Anthros, we work with non-profits on strategy and engagement. Currently we are working with One Montana on a number of strategic initiatives including the landowner recruitment and retention component of their signature Master Hunter Program. Launched in 2018 to field more ethical, educated, and effective hunters, the Master Hunter Program provides landowners opportunities to build relationships with hunters in an effort to manage wildlife on their property.

ESCAPE TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS

ESCAPE TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS

Though there are countless ways to enjoy natural and wild places, the USFS cabin rental program provides a unique experience to convene with some of the most beautiful places throughout our country. Maintained by the USFS, the cabins are available on a first come, first serve basis by booking through the National Recreation Reservation System. Almost every aspect of staying in a USFS cabin or tower requires a bit more work than a typical vacation rental or cabin-getaway. In our experience, the reward is well worth the (mostly enjoyable) work.

WORKING FARMS IN MAINE

WORKING FARMS IN MAINE

As the average age of working landowners increases and younger generations increasingly choose jobs and lives in more urban or populated areas, the rural landscape is changing. And just as often as these changes present challenges, they present opportunities. While in Maine this spring, we visited two working farms that have addressed these types of challenges with creativity, making each challenge an opportunity to build community and connection around working lands: Wolfe’s Neck in Freeport and Aldermere Farm in Rockport.

NEW RELEASE: REDUCING CONFLICT WITH GRIZZLY BEARS, WOLVES AND ELK

NEW RELEASE: REDUCING CONFLICT WITH GRIZZLY BEARS, WOLVES AND ELK

Reducing Conflict with Grizzly Bears, Wolves and Elk, A Western Landowner’s Guide is now available. This informative landowner’s guide produced by Western Landowners Alliance features case studies from ranchers across the west that address the challenge of how to share and manage a wild, working landscape that sustains both people and wildlife.

MONTANA MASTER HUNTER PROGRAM

MONTANA MASTER HUNTER PROGRAM

Private landowners in Montana now have another option when considering how to integrate hunting into their land management operations and stewardship strategies. The Montana Hunter Advancement Program promotes safe, ethical, and responsible hunting through its focused “Master Hunter” certification program, offered in partnership with forward-thinking private landowners across the state.

SOUTH TEXAS HERITAGE AT THE WITTE MUSEUM

SOUTH TEXAS HERITAGE AT THE WITTE MUSEUM

Did you know that for nearly a century, San Antonio was the largest city on the western frontier? Or that Texas is the only state to have farm to market roads? Our recent visit to the Witte Museum's Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg South Texas Heritage Center immersed us in the culture and history of ranching in South Texas.

AGRICULTURAL WATER USE IN GALLATIN VALLEY

AGRICULTURAL WATER USE IN GALLATIN VALLEY

Recently we visited the Gaffke Ranch in the Gallatin Valley. The most impactful part of the tour was not the low water component, but Mike's take on the changes to water availability. Mike seemed to be more concerned with the dissolution of community as a result of the decrease in agricultural water users than the water itself.

COMMUNITY FUTURES FINANCE TOOLBOX

COMMUNITY FUTURES FINANCE TOOLBOX

Earlier this year, we collaborated with The Trust for Public Land on their Community Futures Community Futures Finance Toolbox project. We conducted research to learn how small and rural communities are becoming more livable, resilient, and vibrant. Our research revealed that communities of all sizes are utilizing innovative tools to leverage their natural resources into a prosperous and sustainable future.

MONTANA HERITAGE ORCHARD PROGRAM

MONTANA HERITAGE ORCHARD PROGRAM

In Montana, Montana State University Extension is leading the charge to identify and preserve the heritage orchards that still exist through their Montana Heritage Orchard Program. The designation of Heritage Orchard gives landowners recognition, and helps preserve and propagate the unique fruit tree cultivars.

This summer we had the opportunity to tour one of Montana's Heritage Orchards. The Yellowstone Springs Ranch orchard is currently undergoing the process of genetic testing to determine and catalog the exact cultivars of trees. 

CENTRAL IDAHO RANGELANDS NETWORK

CENTRAL IDAHO RANGELANDS NETWORK

As part of their devotion to "the inextricable link between the public lands surrounding our private working lands", the Lemhi Land Trust joined forces with The Nature Conservancy and Pioneer Mountain Group to create the Central Idaho Rangelands Network to encourage collaboration and rangeland monitoring across a large landscape with diverse public and private ownership in Central Idaho.