FEATURED PUBLICATION

Wildlife Migration Conservation Strategies on Private Lands

Protecting the long migratory pathways of ungulates like elk, deer and pronghorn requires collaboration across landownership boundaries and the ability to work with private landowners effectively. We looked at the tools that are being and could be used to support private landowners in conserving migration corridors in the Upper Rio Grande. The lessons we learned, and summarize in this toolkit, are applicable across the West.

Agricultural Water Users’ Preferences for Addressing Water Shortages in the Colorado River Basin

The Colorado River Basin is in crisis. There is no longer enough water for all of those who depend on it. The agricultural sector is the largest water user in…

A Farm Bill that works for the West

WLA’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform There are many threats facing working lands in the West today, from drought and fire to economic challenges to increasingly intense development pressure. With every…

2023 National Policy Platform

As landowners and land managers, we recognize that well-managed working lands are the cornerstones of both human communities and the ecosystems on which we all depend. We know what it…

Western water conservation and drought mitigation on private working lands

Policy opportunities in the farm bill and beyond The western United States continues to face extended and increasingly severe drought conditions that threaten municipal and agricultural water supplies, energy production,…

Letter to NRCS Re: Non-lethal predator risk management

In this letter signed by hundreds of producers from around the West, we ask USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service staff to consider “technical and financial assistance to support producer-implemented natural…

Supporting Working Lands and Wildlife with the Four C’s

Policy Recommendations from the Conflict Reduction Consortium Across the western US, iconic wildlife like elk, deer, grizzly bears, and wolves share lands with humans and their livestock. This comes with…

2022 Policy Platform

As landowners and land managers, we recognize that well-managed working lands are the cornerstones of both human communities and the ecosystems on which we all depend. We have a deep,…

Working across the rural-urban divide: Messaging for large carnivore conflict reduction

Conflicts between large carnivores and livestock can be polarizing. The words used around large carnivore-livestock conflict reduction can either further polarize a sensitive situation or bring people together in a…

Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 5: Best Practices of Non-Resident Landowners

How is succession planning different for non-resident or “absentee” landowners? With this ownership type becoming more and more common in the West, how can these landowners best steward their investment to the next generation?

Redefining Conservation for the 21st Century

Our roadmap to a conservation model that works for rural America, working lands and wildlife. Conservation as usual isn’t working. We are literally losing ground and natural resources every day.…

New Mexicans Agree

New Mexico needs permanent statewide funding for agricultural and natural resources projects

Working Wild Challenge Policy Recommendations

Working lands stitch together the patchwork of land ownership that creates the character of the American West – open space, valued by both people and wildlife. Many rural communities have…

WLA’s Federal Policy Recommendations

As landowners and land managers, we recognize that well-managed lands are the cornerstones of both human communities and the ecosystems on which we all depend. We have a deep, vested…

Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 4: Considerations when transferring your property

How does one begin the task of planning for the transfer of a family business, real estate and farm or ranch?

Aspen Next Generation

Aspen trees and forests are especially important in the Rocky Mountains. Aspens add beauty to landscapes, foster high diversity and productivity of understory plants, provide for the habitat needs of many species of animals, and moderate fire behavior. There is a perception that aspen trees and stands are not regenerating well in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico; cohorts of trees younger than a few decades are scarce, at least in some areas. The next generation of aspen in the southern Rockies will be influenced by land use decisions, including harvesting, fire policy and management, and browsing by livestock and wildlife.

Paying for Stewardship

This guide presents some ways landowners can earn compensation for their stewardship efforts directly or indirectly—schemes sometimes referred to as payments for ecosystem services, ecosystem services markets, or conservation finance. It goes beyond description to provide illustrative case studies of these strategies at work.

Collaborative Wildlife Migration Corridor Workshops

This report provides an overview of the latest efforts towards migration corridor management in each of the three states, and reports findings from the workshops. The report summarizes the discussion by workshop participants about what is working in their state, as well as opportunities to improve migration corridor management and conservation.

Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 3: Alternate Ownership Structures

What factors should you consider when selecting an ownership structure for your ranch? What questions should you be sure to answer before deciding? What are differences between an LLC, a C Corporation, and an S Corporation? What are the benefits to partnership, cooperative or shared ownership structures, and what are the drawbacks? Why or when would someone choose a less common ownership structure?

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Habitat Conservation Strategies for Migrating Wildlife

Landowner perspectives gained through one-on-one interviews and focus groups throughout the Upper Rio Grande region provide the foundation for the recommendations contained within this toolkit. These perspectives are shared side-by-side with concise strategies for policymakers, funders, and organizations looking to improve wildlife habitat in this dynamic trans-boundary region of Colorado and New Mexico.

Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 2: Family Governance

What defines “family governance” and what key factors drive the type of governance structure a family puts into place? How does one effectively integrate family members into its governing structure? What are some governance issues one encounters when creating and administering trusts?

Conservation Economics on Western Working Lands

Conservation is a form of economics What policy conditions would empower landowners to allocate time, talent and resources to biodiversity and connectivity? This question is the center of this paper,…

Securing Your Legacy on the Land, Part 1

When should a succession plan be put in place? Who should be involved? What are the basic components of a farm or ranch business succession plan? Who can help put it in place?

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Reducing Conflict with Grizzly Bears, Wolves and Elk

In this guide, WLA offers the collective knowledge and hands-on experience of over 30 land, livestock and resource managers constructively engaged in one of the greatest conservation challenges of our time: how to share and manage a wild, working landscape that sustains both people and wildlife.

Frontline Perspectives

Landowners speak from experience on forestry The American West is home to some of our nation’s most iconic forests. WLA staff interviewed landowners throughout the West to gain their perspective…

Upland Bare Ground and Riparian Vegetative Cover Under Strategic Grazing Management, Continuous Stocking, and Multiyear Rest in New Mexico Mid-grass Prairie

By Rick Danvir, Gregg Simonds, Eric Sant, Eric Thacker, Randy Larsen, Tony Svejcar, Douglas Ramsey, Fred Provenza, and Chad Boyd Journal article published in February 2018 issue of Rangelands, the…

2017 Water Rights

Water Rights in the West

Few things are as crucial to ranch operations as water. Getting a handle on your water rights may seem akin to drinking from a fire hose, but it is wildly important. Western water is complex, contentious, and rooted in rich history. This must-read article will help you keep your head above water.

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Speaking from Experience: Landowners & the Endangered Species Act

This informative guide on the Endangered Species Act provides essential information on the law itself, changes currently being proposed and perspectives from experienced landowners.

Toward a Healthy & Productive West

Six common sense principles endorsed by more than 130 organizations light the path to a better West. We urge Congress and the Administration to advance these principles to achieve rural economic health and a productive agricultural sector, provide for our human needs, and protect the landscapes in which we live and work.

Restoring America’s Rural Economies, Land and Wildlife

The land and people of rural America are the foundation of our national economy and way of life, providing the food, water, energy and wildlife upon which we all depend. Yet rural America is struggling and working lands are disappearing. With the right public policies and strategic investments we can change this. Read WLA’s 2017 policy platform to learn more.

Beyond Boundaries in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

In Summer 2016, WLA co-hosted the Beyond Boundaries Landowner Symposium in Cody, Wyoming, which included discussions on emerging science and new policies related to working lands and private ownership in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and beyond. This is the report of that gathering.

A Primer on Oil and Gas Leases

Written by an oil and gas attorney, this is a must read resource written specifically to inform landowners about oil and gas leases and surface use agreements.

A Wyoming Landowners Handbook to Fences and Wildlife

In this vital guide’s second edition, revised and updated in 2015, from the Wyoming Wildlife Foundation, building effective yet wildlife-friendly fencing is beautifully illustrated and clearly explained.

WLA Policy Brief on the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule

This Brief consists of five sections and an appendix, as follows: Background and Overview covers the basics of the federal Clean Water Act and an overview of the proposal. Considerations…

Aspen Management on Private Lands

Highlighting strategies to restore this beautiful species The decline of aspen in western forests over the past several decades has been a significant concern to scientists, foresters and land managers,…

Stewardship with Vision

Caring for New Mexico’s Streams Private stewardship of Western land and water plays a vital role in the health of the West. This must-read guide highlights the importance of New…

External Resources

Perspectives on Collaborative Conservation: Lessons Learned from the Greater Sage-Grouse Collaboration

The collaborative partnerships that developed from 2010 to 2015 have been recognized as a key reason why the greater sage-grouse was kept off the federal endangered species list. But what made these efforts unique? What can we learn from the greater sage-grouse saga to apply to other conservation challenges?

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Economic implications of differential taxation for agriculture in the Intermountain West

Property tax incentives for diversified management have the potential to provide significant economic and environmental benefits to states and local communities.

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Growing Abundant Ranges

With recommendations for planning, practicing and monitoring grazing management, this guide is designed to help practitioners significantly improve soil health, water retention and pasture productivity.

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Private Land: Conservation’s New Frontier in America

An insightful paper on the private land conservation movement by WLA’s founding board chair Paul Vahldiek and High Lonesome Institute Director Shane Mahoney.

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Controlled Burning on Private Land in New Mexico

This paper reviews some of the key organizational and legal issues that create barriers to controlled burning in New Mexico and has identified a number of opportunities and practices to increase controlled burning.

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California's Working Landscapes: Annual Rangelands

Through active stewardship and conservation, rangeland owners can manage for agricultural production and a diversity of other ecosystem services across working landscapes.

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Developing Payment for Ecosystem Services Programs in California’s Central Valley

Payment for Ecosystem Services programs and markets are a promising alternative to traditional conservation initiatives and can help California’s ranchers stay on their land.

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