70% of Montana is rangeland (68,000,000 acres) which provides habitat for wildlife, forage for livestock, and a host of ecosystem goods and services for the state. In Montana, rangelands provide watershed services worth $14/acre including water collection, groundwater filtration, and aquifer recharge.
Rangelands and grasslands reflect a growing interest for the ecosystem goods and services that these lands provide, the relationship of humans to these landscapes, and the efforts required to keep these lands sustainable. Interest exists to maintain a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem that provides water availability, clean air, and wildlife populations while supporting agriculture, energy and minerals production. The RRP focuses on building relationships among diverse groups to share perspectives and ideas that foster healthy, sustainable rangelands.
The RRP provides opportunities to bring together people who care to learn from one another and collaborate on common goals. The program serves as a credible source of information; unbiased, trusted, honest and non-political as well as welcoming anyone who cares about rangeland. The program focuses on building relationships among diverse groups and sharing perspectives and ideas that foster healthy, sustainable rangelands.
2024 Educational Workshops
406 Grazing Academy
When: June 11-13, 2024
Where: Miles City, Montana
Cost: $200/person
The 406 Grazing Academy; a 3-day hands-on workshop for ranchers wanting to sharpen their skills for solving grazing management challenges on their ranch. The event will feature a field day, educational speakers, and hands-on learning opportunities. Workshop cost includes educational materials, monitoring kit, dinner and lunch all 3 days. Participants are responsible for travel and hotel costs. A block of rooms has been reserved at The Miles City Inn & Suites, use code: 406 Grazing Academy to reserve your room. Event registration end 6/4/2024.
Montana Range Tour
When: June 20, 2024
Where: Stanford, Montana
Cost: $65/person
This educational event will feature a tour of the 2023 Leopold Conservation Award winners, Kurt & PJ Myllymaki’s ranching operation. The Montana Range Tour is an educational field day for ranchers desiring to learn from others who are leaders in implementing innovative on-the-ground grazing and agricultural practices. We're excited to feature Gabe Brown as the educational speaker this year! Cost of MRT registration includes the tour, presentations, a banquet breakfast, and lunch. Transportation from Lewistown to Stanford is also provided. Event registration ends 6/4/2024.
GET 406 RANGELANDS NEWS AND INFORMATION
Learn More about Rangeland Resources
Rangeland Improvement Loan Program
Low-interest loans available to Montana farmers and ranchers for rangeland improvements and development.
Working Lands Internship Program
For any student looking into natural resources, get real-world and hands-on experience at a ranching operation.
Ranching In Montana
Learn more about Ranching in Montana, watch videos about the people living and working on the rangeland in Montana.
Leopold Conservation Award
The Rangeland Resources Program receives guidance from the RRC, which is composed of 6 Governor appointed ranchers from select geographic areas in Montana. The RRC is statutorily mandated to make recommendations to and provide guidance for the Rangeland Resources Program to DNRC. The RRC also has the responsibility of providing support and guidance to the State Coordinator for Rangeland Resources.
Members:
- Diane Ahlgren, Chair, Winnett
- John Hollenback, Vice Chair, Gold Creek
- Sigurd Jensen, Elmo
- Jim Anderson, Chinook
- Leah Lewis, Boulder
- Ron Devlin, Terry
MEETINGS:
May 1, 2024 | AGENDA & MEETING PACKET
February 6, 2024 | AGENDA & MEETING PACKET | DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
October 17-18, 2023 | AGENDA | DRAFT MEETING MINUTES
August 1, 2023 | AGENDA | DRAFT MEETING MINUTES