Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District: Help Shape the Future of Water and Farming
2025-10-29 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Denver) | New Mexico Tech Campus, 801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, 87801, United States
If you’re a producer in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, here’s a great opportunity to have your voice heard about water and farming in the district. These small-group conversations are a chance for you to share your experiences, ideas, and concerns directly with those shaping local programs and policies. Participants will receive a $50 Amazon gift card as a thank-you, along with coffee and donuts during the discussion.
Two sessions are available:

Wednesday, October 22 | 10–11:30 AM

Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, 9800 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM

Wednesday, October 29 | 2–3:30 PM

New Mexico Tech campus, 801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM
Space is limited, so please reserve your spot by emailing mrgsurvey@unm.edu or calling/texting at 505-456-0638.

CSU San Luis Valley: Ag Business Workshop
2025-11-03 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Ski Hi Complex, 2335 Sherman Avenue, Monte Vista, CO, 81144, United States
RSVP: 719.852.7381
Topics include:

Custom Rates & Enterprise Budgets
New Decision Tools and Notes
Ag Tax Update
Market Outlook:

Cattle (Feeders and Fed)
Hay
Grains
Other

Speakers include Jeff Tranel, CSU Extension Regional Ag Business Specialist, and Larry Brown, Director of CSU Extension – San Luis Valley Area.

Montana Conflict Reduction Consortium Annual Meeting
2025-11-12 | University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT, United States
Join the Montana Conflict Reduction Consortium (CRC) in Dillon, Montana on November 12th for an in-person meeting focused on supporting the formation of place-based groups.
The Montana CRC, convened by Western Landowners Alliance, is a diverse, landowner-led network of partners working to reduce wildlife-livestock conflicts and support working landscapes in Montana. This group is working to further community and place-based efforts that reduce wildlife conflicts and support the economic viability of rural communities in the state.
These groups, many of which are landowner and livestock producer-led, may include all or part of a particular community and offer a way to meaningfully engage state and federal wildlife agencies, non-profit organizations and other stakeholder groups to achieve community needs and outcomes supporting working lands and wildlife.
Within this one day meeting, we are offering opportunities for individuals and communities interested in forming or expanding place-based groups and an opportunity to connect with landowners, livestock producers, facilitators, program managers and funders who have formed and lead place-based efforts within their own communities.

Range Riding Workshop at University of Montana Western
2025-11-13 - 2025-11-14 | University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT, United States
Do you operate in an area with wolves, grizzly bears or other large carnivores? Are you concerned about conflicts? Join Amber Mason, range rider at Ruby Dell Ranch and Rae Nickerson of Utah State University for a day of conversations and learning alongside livestock producers, range riders, agency representatives and organizations focused on applications of range riding for reducing wildlife-livestock conflicts. Topics of discussion will include:

What is range riding and defining effectiveness (needed skills)

The importance of context and operational considerations

Risk evaluation

Supporting tools
Communication and conflict mitigation

Together with compensation, control, and collaboration, expanding access to range riding is an important piece of the puzzle for supporting resilient ranches, rural communities and thriving wildlife populations.
When: November 13th and 14th
Where: University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT
Day 1 will center perspectives from range riders from Montana and around the West and how the practice fits in their operations. The day will include presentations, panels and group discussions. Lunch provided.
Day 2 offers a full day of professional wildlife track and sign training provided by Cyber Tracker North America focused on the range rider skillset. Only 14 spots available, first come first serve with priority to range riders, livestock producers and agency representatives. Snacks provided.
See the full agenda here.
Reserve your spot now! Register at wla.social/rr-mt-western
Please reach out to Matthew Collins at matt@westernlandowners.org if you have any questions about this convening.

Diversifying Land Use in the Trans-Pecos: Informing Landowner Strategies for Conservation and Economic Sustainability
2025-11-13 09:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Sul Ross University – Morgan University Center (UC), E Sul Ross Avenue, Alpine, TX, 79832, United States
Join fellow landowners, legal experts, conservationists, and industry professionals for a dynamic, solutions-focused conference designed to help landowners in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas navigate a changing landscape. This one-of-a-kind event will explore alternative land use practices that support economic opportunity, environmental stewardship, and long-term sustainability.
Key Topics Include:

Legal insights into energy development (renewables, oil & gas, transmission) from qualified attorneys
Real-world perspectives on the benefits and risks of energy development
Opportunities in ecosystem services including carbon credits and emerging markets
Alternative land uses like ecotourism and conservation easements
Practical strategies for land stewardship, rangeland enhancement, and profitable ranching
Plus an update on the current situation with the New World Screwworm.

Whether you’re exploring new revenue streams, facing legal challenges, or committed to conservation, this event offers actionable insights to help you make the most of your land—today and for the future.

Ripples of Resilience: Stories and Strategies for a Thriving Future
2025-11-20 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-22 10:30 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | Alamosa Public Library, 300 Hunt Ave, Alamosa, CO, 81101, United States
Bring your family and friends for a weekend of community, creativity, and connection as local water groups celebrate the We are Water Alamosa Community Exhibit!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Headwaters Drought Resilience Game Night & Dinner
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Adams State University Student Union Banquet Room
Join us to jump into the role of a local water leader, and learn how the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable is planning for drought resilience in your community.
Dinner and kids activity station provided.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Public Opening of the We are Water Exhibit
10:30 am to 2:00 pm
Alamosa Public Library
Join us to celebrate the installation of the We are Water exhibit at the library, interact with local community organizations, and engage in water-related activities!

Profit Decisions: Avoiding the Five Mistakes Ag Producers Make
2025-11-21 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver)
What are the foolish uses of profit and what are the wise uses of profit?
Dr. David Kohl, a leader in the ag finance space recently said, “I’m worried about the beef industry – the worst decisions are made in the best of times.” He is talking about foolish decision with deploying profit. Many of those decisions will be made between now and the end of the calendar year in the name of tax avoidance.
Ranching for Profit has asked Dr. Kohl to join us on a webinar, open to all in the ag community who want to dig deeper into this.

CalGLC Webinar Series
2025-11-28 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-01-23 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-27 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-26 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_coc2S4L6RZ2kPmz39RNilA#/registration
Building Partnerships in Stewardship Economies: Ranching, community-based organization, voluntary conservation, rangeland research, and policy-making all intersect in successful efforts for rural economic development and sustainability. Let’s talk about it!
Are you interested in strategies for working more effectively with peers and partners?
Hear from representatives from local, state, and west-wide efforts focused on the stewardship of working lands and working communities by working together.

March 28 at noon PST
Centering Community Voices – Using Situation, Problem Solution Framework

Functionality and dysfunctionality of collaboration
Problems and wicked problems
Feasibility, utility & risk
Situation, problem, solution
Where does innovation and adaptation happen?
Why do we engage or not engage?
Talking through examples like: Public Lands, Water, Wildlife, and Economic Development

April 25
Ranchers in the Driver’s Seat: Addressing risk, strengthening community, and improving quality of life together

Inviting new perspectives and skill sets into your community—and when some just show up
Managing the tensions – being grounded in the community while navigating funding, agency rules/culture, etc.
Leaning into the cycles of conflict and resolution, and knowing when not to partner/collaborate and who to invite
Multi-generational opportunities and challenges
The power of convening/coordinating capacity as generative/emergent

May 30
From ranch to co-lobor-atory, from research to co-production- better science through community partnerships
June 27
Grounded policy – discovering solutions within ranching communities

Innovations in Rangeland & Livestock Management Webinar: Grazing Management for a Resilient Ranch
2025-12-04 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Denver) | Zoom
Join us for a grounded, practical look at how virtual fencing, remote water sensors, and a focus on soil health can make grazing management more practical and adaptable on working ranches.
Jim Armendariz (NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist) will present on the use of these tools and how they have benefitted his family’s ranch. He’ll also walk through funding options that can help cover equipment and start-up costs and discuss how his focus on soil health has simplified grazing management, making it more intuitive, efficient, and adaptable.
Hosted by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range and NMSU’s Department of Animal and Range Sciences, this webinar series brings forward innovations in rangeland and livestock management from the U.S. and beyond. From new technologies to fresh perspectives on time-tested practices, each session is designed to spark ideas and share practical insights. Our first series spotlights virtual fencing, exploring its applications for grazing management, livestock production, and ecosystem restoration.

Ranch Managers Guild - Welcome & Introductions
2025-12-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
We are excited to convene the first of our monthly Ranch Managers Guild calls on Tuesday, December 9 at 12pm MT. This call will be held on Zoom and will serve as an introduction to the guild, with remarks from WLA CEO Lesli Allison, and ranch managers Tim Haarmann of Banded Peak Ranch and Billy Whitehurst of Granger Ranches. We will then spend some time on introductions break into small groups to get to know each other and discuss the successes and challenges you’ve seen at the ranch you manage in 2025.
Participation is reserved for active members of the Ranch Managers Guild. Not signed up yet? You can sign up here today.

Monkey Wrench Films presents “Preserved”
2026-01-13 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Dairy ARTS Center, 2590 Walnut Street, Boulder, CO, 80302, United States
Preserved takes viewers inside Vermejo—a 558,000-acre living laboratory where mountain lions, bears, and countless other species reveal how wildlife is adapting in a changing world. The film spotlights the stewards working to restore this landscape—and why what happens here matters everywhere. The planet can heal. It starts with us.
*** Featuring exclusive performance by musician MILCK ***
SHOWINGS AT 5:30PM AND 8PM

Preserved Film Screening: DENVER PREMIERE
2026-01-14 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Denver) | The Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave, Denver, CO, 80212, United States
Denver Premiere Event with Special Musical Performance by MILCK
Featuring In-Person Conversation with director Ben Clark, author Craig Childs, Protect Our Winters, Western Landowners Alliance, more.
January 14, 2026 • 7:00 pm

Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society Presents: The Coordination and Collaboration in Conservation Conference
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27 | Missoula Holiday Inn Downtown, 200 South Pattee, Missoula, MT, 59802, United States
We all know that wildlife don’t follow jurisdictional boundaries. We’ve watched the effects of Climate Change impact the environment, regardless of whether the land is Tribal; State; Federally; or Privately owned. And while seeking food, a bear may be looking for a loaded serviceberry bush, but we know they won’t pass up on a household garbage can or an unsecured chicken coop.
In the wildlife and habitat conservation field, the issues we face are often complex and the scope lies beyond any single management boundary. We rely on effective coordination with one another, across jurisdictions and legal boundary lines, to make the greatest impact on wildlife and their habitats. By working together, we can pool resources, expertise, and funding to have a larger impact than any one entity could, alone. For example, regional research and monitoring efforts on Threatened and Endangered species like the North American Wolverine, or Canada Lynx. Data collected across a larger landscape, supplied by multiple State; Tribal; Federal; and Non-Profit agencies, can help researchers model more accurately and provide important insights into species recovery and conservation.
Coordinating habitat management between agencies can also improve landscape consistency. Coordinated burning schedules and water delivery, even weed spraying can increase the impact of any single effort. Wildlife agencies working with non-profit organizations have also helped to secure important habitats through conservation easements. This can help protect larger landscapes, by protecting important travel corridors and connecting already protected habitat complexes.
Another element of this collaboration that we can’t forget to highlight, are the wonderful people in the communities that we live in! They are the stakeholders that share the landscape with wildlife, who also enjoy a healthy ecosystem. They recreate, and are also the volunteers that help count birds and collect important data for programs like the Montana Bee Atlas! We know that our work doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and it takes careful coordination and collaboration to conserve wild spaces and their inhabitants.
In 2026, our Annual Conference of the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society will seek to honor one another and celebrate the incredible partnerships we have that enable us to achieve the great work that we all do! Keep up the great work!
