Date:
7/11/2006 12:00:00 AM
Title:
Arizona Ranches Win Top Environmental Award
For Immediate Release
Diablo Trust Ranches are ESAP Region VI Winner
Washington, D.C. (July 11, 2006) – The Prosser and Metzger families of Coconino County, Arizona are one of seven Regional Winners of the 2006 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). In its 16th year, the award program recognizes cattle operations that are proven stewards of the land, dedicated to natural resource conservation through the use of innovative, cost effective stewardship practices.
Located in north central Arizona, the Diablo Trust Ranches cooperative operation was nominated by the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association. They were selected from entries submitted within the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)’s Region VI, which includes California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawaii.
“The families of the Diablo Trust Ranches have distinguished themselves through their unified and far-reaching commitment to natural resource conservation,” explains Stacey Katseanes, coordinator of the program. “Combined, the families are dedicated to managing approximately 426,000 acres of rangeland in an innovative and environmentally-friendly manner.”
The Diablo Trust Ranches are comprised of the Bar T Bar and Flying M Ranches. The Bar T Bar Ranch is home to Bob, Judy, Warren and Spencer Prosser. The Flying M Ranch is home to Jack, Mandy, Kit and Jane Metzger, and Diana and Alan Kessler. 276,000 and 76,000 acres are leased from the U.S. Forest Service and Arizona State Land Department, respectively. The remaining 74,000 acres are privately owned. There are about 1,500 cows in the herd.
“To manage their own lands, Diablo Trust has developed a zone rating system that they use to define different areas of their land,” explains Katseanes. “By defining these ecological zones, the ranches can carefully monitor the health and viability of the land. Furthermore, management targets are developed and implemented to ensure the land is being properly utilized. These targets include desired presence of certain flora and fauna, soil condition standards and cover percentages, and varying game habitats. This system is a clear demonstration of the Diablo Trust Ranches’ commitment to conserving the environment.”
The collaborative relationship between the Bar T Bar and Flying M Ranches began in the 1950’s with the sharing of equipment, ideas and labor. The Diablo Trust was not officially formed until 1993, when the profitability of the ranches was under siege from several urban and environmental movements. The coalition combined forces to initiate research, educational and stewardship programs.
“The stewardship practices of these ranches go beyond maintenance, they also take a proactive approach on research and range use,” says Katseanes. “In 1984 the families joined up with a variety of conservation and wildlife advocacy groups to form the Forage Resource Study Group, designed to integrate range and wildlife monitoring with management. From this group has sprung a wealth of information useful to coordinate wildlife use and livestock grazing. Their willingness to participate in often controversial discussions is a testament to their holistic view of sound land management.”
“The ranches have been leaders in land restoration using a variety of management techniques to accomplish goals for range, livestock, watershed health and wildlife habitat restoration; in each case fitting the techniques to the site and the objectives,” says Richard Miller, Habitat Program Manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “They are unique in their use of collaboration to achieve land management goals on these diverse lands.”
Another innovative stewardship initiative developed by the ranches is the development of the Rural Planning Area (RPA). Facing significant threats from urban sprawl, the ranches sought legislative assistance to aid in protection. The resulting RPA project produced a demonstration plan by which ranchers can protect the economic value and integrity of their rangelands.
“The intent of the RPA is to enable the ranchers to keep ranches intact, to preserve the traditional uses, and to create a situation where long term stewardship and land improvement is at the forefront,” explains Bill Towler, Coconino County Community Development Director. “The County will continue to work with the Diablo Trust ranchers to help achieve the goals of the RPA and to further the collaborative effort.”
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program is administered by the NCBA and sponsored by Dow AgroSciences LLC and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of USDA. The 2006 National Winner will be selected from one of the seven Regional Winners and revealed at the 2007 Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville, Tennessee next February. For additional information, contact NCBA’s Washington D.C. office at 202-347-0228.
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