925.784-8303 ksweet@cattlemen.net

The Coalition is built on the foundation of real experience, scientific research, and commitment to our common goals of rangeland conservation and ranching viability. The stories below are about the ranchers, the agency representatives, and others who have made a commitment to the mission of the Coalition into action.  See also Grazing for Change I and II.   More videos are hosted by California Cattlemen’s Association.

2024 Summit Agenda

It Takes a Community – Ranchers, Land and Neighbors, too!

This theme captures many elements of the CRCC Rangeland ResolutionAs RangelandsGateway.org also states, Communities, where ranchers live and work depend on rangeland and they, too affect how rangelands are managed.  We all have a stake in how our rangelands are managed and the goods and services they produce.”

Ranchers and their rangeland neighbors will gather to focus on rangeland communities, learn about stewardship economy and stimulate new strategies for thriving rural communities with healthy landscapes.  

8:00     Doors open: REGISTRATION, coffee & tea. Visit booths, research/project posters, and photo contest display

9:00    Welcome, Bre Owens, CRCC Chair and Stephanie Larson, UCANR, Summit Moderator

What Rangeland Conversion means for Local Communities The Solano Together story by Al Medvitz and Ian Anderson

Conservation Economics – Learning from Keep it Colorado’s, Return on Investment Study. A collaborative effort involving the CO Cattlemen’s Ag Land Trust – Amy Beatie, Executive Director, Keep it Colorado

Morning Break – coffee & tea

 What is a Stewardship Economy? And how do we build them? – Interview by Lynn Huntsinger with Laurel Harkness, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition and Staci Heaton, Rural Community Representatives of California

Ranching and Community – A dialogue with ranchers from across California  

You just can’t see them from the road California Rangeland Trust Documentary trailer

Lunch   Thank you, San Joaquin Stanislaus Cattlewomen, Audubon California,and Orvis Ranch Beef

Introducing CalGLCBre Owens and Alex Karol, Coordinator

Challenges and Opportunities of Conservation Easements – a panel discussion lead by Michael Delbar, CA Rangeland Trust; Dean Kwasny, Easement Program Manager, CA NRCS State office; John Walsh, Deputy Executive Director, Land Acquisition, Wildlife Conservation Board;  and Jack Hanson, Willow Creek Ranch  

Photo Contest Results – Bonnie Eyestone and Laura Robison, Point Blue Conservation Science

Afternoon Break

Pathways to Stewardship Economies – Empowering people, place and profits – Jared Talley, Boise State University, and Kris Hulvey, Working Lands Conservation.    

3:15  Closing

3:30:    Optional small table discussions with panelists (Kris, Jared, Laurel, Staci, Michael, Amy, Solano folks…)  

“Land conservation keeps our rural heritage alive, fosters healthy communities, generates good jobs, supports sustainable agriculture, preserves diverse wildlife habitats, and maintains the wild landscapes of the West.” Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust

National Ag Day 2023

Ideas to showcase and promote rangeland diversity, values and rancher stewardship

Let’s all celebrate National Ag Day on the CA Rangeland on March 21

and showcase the values of California ranchers and working rangelands, especially your own ranchers and other rangeland colleagues and constituents. Resources online.

  • See CRCC’s website for quick facts, Benefits of Rangeland and Photo Gallery.
  • See CRT’s ecosystem services study.
  • Follow CRCC Facebook page for posts to easily share. Use your Instagram and Twitter accounts to post something the week of March 19-25.
  • Submit a Letter to the Editor, ranch recipe or an op-ed in your paper. Invite a news person to the ranch.
  • Make and Share a video from a ranch. Here’s a sample, Settrini Ranch.
  • Local Cattlewomen groups seek outreach projects and may partner on a project.

Share one of these videos of nationally-recognized ranch land stewards from your neighborhood. Update it with an interview & photo and share it in paper and social media. Let these be an inspiration to your own stories. National Environmental Stewardship Award Program – CA Awardees, Sparrowk Livestock, Conlan Ranches / True Grass FarmsWork RanchCanyon Creek Ranch, Leavitt Lake Ranches, Yolo Land & Cattle, Smith Valley Cattle Feeders / Centennial LivestockBlanchard Ranch

Grazing to Reduce Wildfires

Understanding vegetation types to reduce fire severity. Theresa Becchetti1, Shane Feirer2, Denise Woods3, Stephanie Larson4

Rangeland Science Posters

These posters were shared at the 2023 Summit. CRCC appreciates the authors for their work and for sharing in this way.

In Search of the Value of Grazing. Genoa Starrs1, Sheila Barry2, Lynn Huntsinger1, Van Butsic1
1University of California, Berkeley; 2UC Cooperative Extension Livestock/Natural Resources

Effects of Compost Amendments to Rangelands with Steep Slopes on Soil Carbon, Greenhouse Gas Fluxes, and Nutrient Runoff. Rebecca Ryals1*, Ian Howell2, Hillary Sardiñas2, Alexia Cooper1, Kelly Schoonmaker3, Miao Ling He4. 1University of California, Merced, 2Alameda County Resource Conservation District, 3StopWaste, 4USDA Natural Resources Conservation District

Grazing to Reduce Wildfires. Understanding Vegetation Types to Reduce Fire Severity. Theresa Becchetti, Shane Feirer, Denise Woods, Stephanie Larson, UCCE

Rancher Activity in Wildfire Fighting. Lessons from SCU Fire Complex. Theresa Becchetti and Sheila Barry, UCANR

Photo Contest

2024 Summit Photo Contest

Contest Sponsor and Coordinator.


The photo contest promotes and shares working rangeland photography and generates original photographs for use by the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition (CRCC). A panel of photographers will determine winners based on content and photo quality. The Coalition sincerely appreciates all contest participants, judges and the sponsors.

Contestants are highly encouraged to attend the Summit. Register and learn more on the Summit website: www.carangeland.org/2024-summit/

Prizes will be awarded for 1st place in each category and People’s Choice!

Photo credit: The Morning Gather by Julie Baldocchi, Honorable Mention 2022

Rules
➢ Entry categories are Ranchers and Ranching, Landscapes and Wildlife, and the Summit Theme: “It Takes a Community”
➢ Any photographer can submit up to 3 original photos. Choose your best!
➢ Photos must be original and taken in California and highlight California’s grazing lands, including livestock and ranching, people, landscapes, wildlife, plants, etc.
➢ Photos must be original, of high resolution (minimum 72 pixels per inch-ppi). Basic light and color correction is allowed, but no special effects or filters may be applied.
➢ Photos can be from any time but must not have been submitted to previous CRCC photo contests.
➢ All photos submitted become the property of the Coalition and Point Blue. Photos may be published without obtaining further permission. Use may include, but is not limited to videos, website, social media, articles, and gifts. Makers will be recognized where feasible.
➢ Judging decisions will be final and at the sole discretion of the Coalition.
➢ Winners will be notified by email and announced during the CRCC Summit on Friday, February 23rd, 2024.

Submission
Submit photos by Wed, January 31st, 2024 via-email to Laura Robison (lrobison@pointblue.org)
Attach one (1) .jpg photo per email. Include photographer name & title in the .jpg name (e.g.MSmith_title.jpg).

  1. Subject Line: “CRCC Photo Contest”
  2. In the Body include: • Photographer name • Photographer mailing address • Photographer
    phone number • Title of photo • Location of photo • Entry category
  3. Model Consent Form: If applicable, complete for each photograph with an identifiable person.

Model Consent Form. Please return via email with photograph submission (if applicable).

I consent to __________________________ using the photograph of me as an entry in

(Print Photographer Name)

the 2024 CRCC Summit Photo Contest and to the photograph’s and the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition’s future use in print materials, publications, marketing materials, on the internet, or any other lawful use or reproduction.

Title: _________________________________________

Name of individual in photograph: ______________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________Date____________________

Minor Model Consent Form

If subject is under 18, I _________________________________, parent of guardian of the minor,

(Print Name of Parent or Guardian)

_________________________, consent to the use of the photograph of this minor as an entry

       (Print Name of Minor)

in the 2024 Rangeland Summit Photo Contest and to the photograph’s and the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition’s future use in print materials, publications, marketing materials, on the internet, or any other lawful use or reproduction.

Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ____________________________________________________________________

Authorization: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________________________________________Date______________

(Signature of parent or guardian)

Summit Sponsors

CRCC, UCANR and RMAC thank these 2023 Summit Sponsors, Booth Exhibitors and Donors!

It’s easy to join this growing, special list – just a click away!

OR Print the form to send a check.

RANCH SPONSORS

CA Cattlemen’s Assoc, Cobblestone Ranch, Cotton Creek Ranch, Forrest Ranch, Kaos Sheep Co, MidValley CowBelles, Mission Livestock, Orvis Ranch Beef, Sagehorn-Russell Ranch, Inc, Sann Joaquin / Stanislaus Cattlemen’s Assoc, Spanish Ranch, Sparrowk Livestock, Star Creek Land Stewards, Inc, Sweet Livestock, TN Cattle Co, Vaqueros Livestock, Tom Kat Ranch / Bill Milliot, Vaqueros Livestock, Vogt Ranch, Walking C Livestock, Yolo Land & Cattle

OTHERS

Alameda County RCD, CA Board of Forestry – Range Management Advisory Committee, Cal Poly Swanton Pacific Ranch, CA Climate & Agriculture Network, CalFire, Cal-IPC, CA Native Grasslands Assoc. CA Rangeland Trust, CA Rangeland Education, Christopher’s Crafts, Paints & Photos, East Bay Regional Park District, Hedgerow Farms/Pacific Coast Seed, Interwest Insurance Services, Koopmann Rangeland Consulting, Mtn Lion Foundation, Point Blue Conservation Science, Rangeland Conservation Science, Santa Lucia Conservancy, Paul Starrs, Partners US Fish & Wildlife Service, Rancher Technical Assistance Program, Vollmar Natural Lands Consulting, Western Landowners Alliance, Western Poly Pipe

Here It Comes Again, Adin, Kathy DeForest