BLM announces rangeland stewardship award winners for 2018
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PARK CITY, Utah. -- The Bureau of Land Management presented its 2018 Rangeland Stewardship Awards today, which are given in recognition of an individual or group’s commitment to the health and productivity of public rangelands under BLM management. This year’s recipients include a New Mexico couple who have ridded their allotment of a fast-breeding, destructive noxious weed and an Idaho permittee who was instrumental in setting up a long term study that shows how spring cattle grazing has been successful in improving sage brush habitat.
“These awards recognize the meaningful contributions made by these public lands stewards. Their work has improved the nation’s Western public rangelands to the benefit of all Americans,” said BLM Arizona State Director Ray Suazo, who presented the awards. “The BLM is committed to creating a conservation stewardship legacy second only to Teddy Roosevelt, and the individuals we recognize today have demonstrated their commitment as well. They are working to ensure healthy public lands for the benefit of current and future generations.”
The awards included:
- The Rangeland Stewardship Award was presented to Larry and Pennie Hooper of the Red Mountain Lease, a combination of federal, private, and state land located southwest of Deming, New Mexico. The BLM recognized the Hoopers for their sound stewardship over the last 26 years, ridding the Red Mountain Lease of African rue, a plant that when left unchecked can seriously degrade range conditions over time.
- The Sagebrush Steppe Stewardship Award was presented to Richard Ward of Malta, Idaho, who helped establish the Jim Sage Grazing Allotment Study Area, where 19 permittees graze their livestock. Mr. Ward has applied successful grazing management strategies within this area, by recruiting new members to the study, recommending modifications to their grazing habits, and erecting fencing within the study area.
The event took place at the annual fall meeting of the PLC, which represents more than 22,000 cattle and sheep producers who hold public lands grazing permits. It works in active partnership with the BLM, the National Forest Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local land management offices to provide food and other resources for the nation.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.