HELENA, Mont. — Rangeland plays an important role in the Montana economy, helps maintain a healthy ecosystem for plants and animals and provides a unique way of life for thousands of Montanans. Encompassing approximately 68 million acres, rangeland comprises 70 percent of Montana’s landscape – giving habitat for wildlife, forage for livestock and a host of ecosystem goods such as marketable items to consumers.
In 2023, the 68th Montana Legislature recognized the importance of rangelands with the passage of a joint resolution declaring the month of June as Rangeland Appreciation Month in perpetuity.
“Rangelands are the backbone for ranching in Montana, providing grazing for the state’s $1.5 billion livestock industry” said Stacey Barta, state coordinator for the Rangeland Resources Program at the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). “The native grasses provide filtration that helps to protect human property from flooding and support habitats for a variety of wildlife and insects. We hope to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of rangelands to our state ecosystem and also for the ranchers who are passionate stewards of the land.”
DNRC’s Rangeland Resources Program focuses on building relationships among diverse groups and sharing perspectives and ideas that foster healthy, sustainable rangelands. The program offers loans to develop and improve rangelands in Montana, administers the Working Lands Internship Program, and facilitates educational events such as the 406 Grazing Academy and the Montana Range Tour to educate ranchers about innovations in grazing and land management.
For more information about rangelands, visit dnrc.mt.gov/Rangeland and follow the Department on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/MontanaDNRC.
The Legislature’s joint resolution can be viewed here.
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