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  • The relatives and neighbors of Muzzamil Ahmad, a 19-year-old Muslim who was killed when he was hit by an Indian security force vehicle, mourn his death in Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir September 28.
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  • The relatives and neighbors of Muzzamil Ahmad, a 19-year-old Muslim, who was killed when he was hit by an Indian security force vehicle move his body from a street in Srinagar, the summer capital of Kashmir.  Nearly 1,000 people blocked traffic, threw stones and shouted anti-India slogans after he was killed.
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  • Ali Ipak 's wife Ayse makes bread with her neighbor, Elif (in red)  and daughter Emel, (in blue) as other neighbors Sengul (wearing white and standing)  and Saliha come to show off her new baby, Dudunur December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara.  (Ami Vitale)
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  • Ali Ipak 's wife Ayse makes bread with her neighbor, Elif (in red)  and daughter Emel, (in blue) as other neighbors Sengul (wearing white and standing)  and Saliha come to show off her new baby, Dudunur December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara.  (Ami Vitale)
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  • Ali Ipak 's wife Ayse makes bread with her neighbor, Elif (in red)  and daughter Emel, (in blue) as other neighbors Sengul (wearing white and standing)  and Saliha come to show off her new baby, Dudunur December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara.  (Ami Vitale)
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  • Family and neighbors of the Barthlemess's herd cattle on the Barthelmess Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 1, 2013. The Barthelmess Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Family and neighbors of the Barthlemess's herd cattle on the Barthelmess Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 1, 2013. The Barthelmess Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_4183.jpg
  • Family and neighbors of the Barthlemess's herd cattle on the Barthelmess Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 1, 2013. The Barthelmess Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_4237.jpg
  • Friends and neighbors brand calves on the Barthelmess Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 1, 2013. The Barthelmess Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_6994.jpg
  • Kevin Koss's children and his neighbors herd cattle on his land in Eastern Montana in preparation for branding on May 11, 2013. Kevin Koss works with The Nature Conservancy on the “grass bank" project which is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from “busting sod,” or  plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns (thereby preserving an important food source for the endangered black-footed ferret) and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Ali Ipak and his wife Ayse gather with neighbors in front of their home as turkeys that were given to them by the Food and Agricultural Organization telefood project run around December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara. The projects are meant to improve rural poor families livelihoods. (Ami Vitale)
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  • Children help their neighbors make palm oil by grinding the nuts in a handmade mill in the village of Katumbi, Tanzania on Lake Tanganyika, August 26, 2011.  Agriculture run off  from processes like producing palm oil is one of the main causes of sediment buildup along the shore of the lake. (Barvani, 20 years in white hat, Chausiku, 15 years,  and their mother Zainabu in orange head covering.) (Photo by Ami vitale)
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  • Surita Hernandez brings her children along with neighbors to swim in a river on the Moapa reservation outside Las Vegas, Nevada in July, 2012. They don't get to go outside as often as they like because of the poor air quality. In the photos are: Ayona Hernandez, (wearing glasses)13, Aaliya Hernandez , 16, (grey shirt in ponytail)Gyiel Hernandez, 7, (Small boy)  Surita Hernandez, (mother) 37, Zayda Hernandez, (black shirt) 14,  Edgar Perez, 16, Summer Marie Sunshine Nickrand, 14  and Ayasha Hernandez, 4 and on the Moapa reservation in Nevada. All of their family suffers from Asthma and though they can't prove it, believe its because of the coal plant next door. Her grandfather died in march because of cancer. The Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment. Vernon Lee believes that the many people on the Moapa reservation suffering from health issues are because of the coal plant next door. Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment.
    DSC_3169.jpg
  • The daughter of Kadija, Saidya, 11, and her neighbors' children including Jima Ali (wearing purple) collect water with a donkey August 25, 2006 in Barentu, Eritrea. Some of the most difficult and labor intensive work is gathering wood and water and it is traditionally carried out by women only. (Ami Vitale)
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  • Neighbors gather to drink coffee that Amlel Ambaye  and Zeritu Makonen prepared for a coffee ceremony inside their family home near the Teppi plantation in the Kaffa region of Ethiopia.  Coffee permeates the cultural fabric of Ethiopian life, and is celebrated daily in coffee ceremonies. First she roasts the coffee beans over coals, then takes a mortar and pestle to grind, and a clay pot to boil and brew. Ethiopia is one of only two producing countries that drink more than half of what they grow.
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  • Surita Hernandez brings her children along with neighbors to swim in a river on the Moapa reservation outside Las Vegas, Nevada in July, 2012. They don't get to go outside as often as they like because of the poor air quality. In the photos are:   Aaliya Hernandez , 16, (grey shirt on left) and her sister Zayda Hernandez, (black shirt) 14 on the Moapa reservation in Nevada. All of their family suffers from Asthma and though they can't prove it, believe its because of the coal plant next door. Her grandfather died in march because of cancer. The Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment.
    DSC_3999.jpg
  • Surita Hernandez brings her children along with neighbors to swim in a river on the Moapa reservation outside Las Vegas, Nevada in July, 2012. They don't get to go outside as often as they like because of the poor air quality. In the photos are:   Aaliya Hernandez , 16, (grey shirt on left) and her sister Zayda Hernandez, (black shirt) 14 on the Moapa reservation in Nevada. All of their family suffers from Asthma and though they can't prove it, believe its because of the coal plant next door. Her grandfather died in march because of cancer. The Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment.
    DSC_3047b.jpg
  • Surita Hernandez brings her children along with neighbors to swim in a river on the Moapa reservation outside Las Vegas, Nevada in July, 2012. They don't get to go outside as often as they like because of the poor air quality. In the photos are: Ayona Hernandez, (wearing glasses)13, Aaliya Hernandez , 16, (grey shirt in ponytail)Gyiel Hernandez, 7, (Small boy)  Surita Hernandez, (mother) 37, Zayda Hernandez, (black shirt) 14,  Edgar Perez, 16, Summer Marie Sunshine Nickrand, 14  and Ayasha Hernandez, 4 and on the Moapa reservation in Nevada. All of their family suffers from Asthma and though they can't prove it, believe its because of the coal plant next door. Her grandfather died in march because of cancer. The Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment. Vernon Lee believes that the many people on the Moapa reservation suffering from health issues are because of the coal plant next door. Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment.
    DSC_3004.jpg
  • Villagers who lost their homes to elephants wake up on the floor of a neighbors house  near Tezpur in Assam, eastern India January 6, 2004.  Villagers have been forced to stay up lighting fires, banging tin cans, throwing firecrackers to keep elephants from destroying their crops, homes and somtimes killing people. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by the deforestation caused by encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. (Ami Vitale) &#xA;
    Elephants034.jpg
  • Villagers who lost their homes to elephants wake up on the floor of a neighbors house  near Tezpur in Assam, eastern India January 6, 2004.  Villagers have been forced to stay up lighting fires, banging tin cans, throwing firecrackers to keep elephants from destroying their crops, homes and somtimes killing people. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by the deforestation caused by encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. (Ami Vitale)&#xA;
    Elephants033.jpg
  • The daughter of Kadija, Saidya, 11, and her neighbors' children including Jima Ali (wearing purple) collect water with a donkey August 25, 2006 in Barentu, Eritrea. Some of the most difficult and labor intensive work is gathering wood and water and it is traditionally carried out by women only. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0104.jpg
  • The daughter of Kadija, Saidya, 11, and her neighbors' children including Jima Ali (wearing purple) collect water with a donkey August 25, 2006 in Barentu, Eritrea. Some of the most difficult and labor intensive work is gathering wood and water and it is traditionally carried out by women only. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0090.jpg
  • The daughter of Kadija, Saidya, 11, and her neighbors' children including Jima Ali (wearing purple) collect water with a donkey August 25, 2006 in Barentu, Eritrea. Some of the most difficult and labor intensive work is gathering wood and water and it is traditionally carried out by women only. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0066b.jpg
  • Tiblits' neighbors and her daughter Yirgalem, 18, granddaughter Samrawit, 1,  sit outside Tiblits' house enjoying a coffee ceremony  August 28, 2006 in Barentu, Eritrea. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Aifa Andu, center, talks to neighbors and Hamada representative in the village of Asebeina near Barentu, Eritrea.    (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Kadija greets her neighbors near her village on the outskirts of downtown Barentu, Eritrea August 31, 2006.    (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • BHUTAN:THE LAST SHANGRI LA: The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has sat in isolation for thousands of years and only recently has been thrust into the glare of modern times after centuries of solitude. Bhutan is a tiny, remote, and impoverished country wedged precariously between two powerful neighbors, India and China. Violent storms coming off the Himalaya gave the country its name, meaning "Land of the Thunder Dragon." This conservative Buddhist kingdom high in the Himalaya had no paved roads until the 1960s, was off-limits to foreigners until 1974, and launched television only in 1999 .
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  • A Buddhist monk enters the formidable doors of Trongsa Dzong, the Ancestral home of Bhutan's monarchy. The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has sat in isolation for thousands of years and only recently has been thrust into the glare of modern times after centuries of solitude. Bhutan is a tiny, remote, and impoverished country wedged precariously between two powerful neighbors, India and China. Violent storms coming off the Himalaya gave the country its name, meaning "Land of the Thunder Dragon." This conservative Buddhist kingdom high in the Himalaya had no paved roads until the 1960s, was off-limits to foreigners until 1974, and launched television only in 1999 .
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  • Surita Hernandez brings her children along with neighbors to swim in a river on the Moapa reservation outside Las Vegas, Nevada in July, 2012. They don't get to go outside as often as they like because of the poor air quality. In the photos are: Ayona Hernandez, (wearing glasses)13, Aaliya Hernandez , 16, (grey shirt in ponytail)Gyiel Hernandez, 7, (Small boy)  Surita Hernandez, (mother) 37, Zayda Hernandez, (black shirt) 14,  Edgar Perez, 16, Summer Marie Sunshine Nickrand, 14  and Ayasha Hernandez, 4 and on the Moapa reservation in Nevada. All of their family suffers from Asthma and though they can't prove it, believe its because of the coal plant next door. Her grandfather died in march because of cancer. The Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment. Vernon Lee believes that the many people on the Moapa reservation suffering from health issues are because of the coal plant next door. Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment.
    DSC_3180.jpg
  • Surita Hernandez brings her children along with neighbors to swim in a river on the Moapa reservation outside Las Vegas, Nevada in July, 2012. They don't get to go outside as often as they like because of the poor air quality.    Aaliya Hernandez , 16, (grey shirt on right) and Zayda Hernandez, (black shirt) 14, swim here. All of their family suffers from Asthma and though they can't prove it, believe its because of the coal plant next door. Her grandfather died in march because of cancer. The Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment. Vernon Lee believes that the many people on the Moapa reservation suffering from health issues are because of the coal plant next door. Sierra Club is working with the Moapa Band of Paiutes to transition NV Energy away from the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant -- which sits only 45 miles from Las Vegas and a short walk from community housing at the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Reid Gardner coal plant is literally spewing out tons of airborne pollutants such as mercury, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases. This has resulted in substantial health impacts on the Moapa community, with a majority of tribal members reporting a sinus or respiratory ailment.
    DSC_3026.jpg
  • Ali Ipak  shops in one of the only local stores as neighbors watch December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara. The projects are meant to improve rural poor families livelihoods. (Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0092.jpg
  • Villagers who lost their homes to elephants wake up on the floor of a neighbors house  near Tezpur in Assam, eastern India January 6, 2004.  Villagers have been forced to stay up lighting fires, banging tin cans, throwing firecrackers to keep elephants from destroying their crops, homes and somtimes killing people. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by the deforestation caused by encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. (Ami Vitale)&#xA;
    Elephants042.jpg
  • Shaikh Kulsumbibi, 37, a Muslim whose village of Sardarpur was destroyed in a gruesome vengeance attack weeps as she seeks refuge in another village in India, March 3, 2002.  Hindus came in the middle of the night and massacred nearly every one of her neighbors and family living there in a strategically designed plan which involved flooding the exit and then electrocuting those who were not first killed by the firebombs and kerosene.
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  • GERIHUN, SIERRA LEONE - JULY 18:Liberian refugees walk through their plastic tents  at the Gerihun camp near Bo, Sierra Leone July 18,2002. Sierra Leone is infamous for some of the decade's worst war crimes and the irony is that as Sierra Leonians are finally able to return home, their neighbors across the border are suffering from their own tragic decade old conflict and flooding into the camps which once housed the internally displaced Sierra Leonians. Liberia's rebels have waged an insurgency for three years, but have stepped up attacks recently against President Charles Taylor's government. Taylor, a former warlord who won presidential elections in 1997, says he is being targeted by some of his rivals from the 1989-96 civil war.  The heavy toll on civilians in the fighting poses a threat to the stability of other countries in the region, particularly Sierra Leone. There are about 50,000 refugees in Sierra Leone now according to the World Food Program and 100,000 internally displaced people within Liberia now. Sierra Leone, which has the U.N's largest peacekeeping mission with 17,3000 troops, is recovering from a ruthless 10-year-old war and held presidential elections in May. (photo by Ami Vitale/Getty Images)
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  • Muslims who had begged police to protect them the day before huddle in the wreckage of their burned out homes March 2, 2002 after a mob of Hindu neighbors attacked them from across a street of Ahmedabad, India. They said that 2 babies were burned alive as well as countless others who were killed in the worst religious violence India has seen in 10 years.
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's daughter Layla plays with her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) sits on her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_2502.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's daughter Layla plays with her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) sits on her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_2489.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's   daughter Layla looks for birds in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) looks at birds with his daughter Layla, 5,   in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_2280.jpg
  • April Gronley (blue t-shirt) helps to brand calves with her brother Cody  (white t-shirt) on the Oxarart Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 2, 2013. The Oxarart Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale) (in blue t-shirt) helps to brand calves on the Oxarart Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 2, 2013. The Oxarart Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_8510.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's daughter Layla plays with her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) sits on her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_2535.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's daughter Layla plays with her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) sits on her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's daughter Layla plays with her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) sits on her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's daughter Layla plays with her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) sits on her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Brian Martin poses in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) his wife Jolynn plays with her daughters Janae and Layla in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale) looks at birds with his daughter Layla, 5,   in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservatio
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  • Ramla (wearing black headscarf) helps a neighbor with her donkey loaded with coffeee cherries in the village of Choche. Choche is beleived to be the original ancestral birthplace of coffee in the region of Jimma, Ethiopia (Jimma was once the capital of the region known as Kaffa) .     Coffee permeates the cultural fabric of Ethiopian life and it unites the country. It binds the many different ethnic groups together, Christian or Muslim, rich or poor. An elaborate extension to Ethiopia's warm sense of hospitality, the coffee ceremony is a daily social ritual to honour the importance of the bean, and strengthen human bonds.
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  • Fayoume, Egypt: Wael,16, who lives in Hamidia village in Fayoume, Egypt shows a neighbor, Ahmad, 6 months, one of his rabbits that is part of a telefood program funded byt FAO December 7, 2005.   The project has given him enough money to pay for school and buy goats for his family. .(Photo Ami Vitale)
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  • Kadija's daughter Saidya, 11,  stands with a neighbor's camel she takes cares of outside her home in  Barentu, Eritrea august 25, 2006. Kadija is a traditional birth assistant as well as a recipient of a donkey from the women's union "Hamade". (Ami Vitale)
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  • Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 has her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab inside Coptic St. Mary's chapel in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, . The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Coptic christians pray outside St. Mary's church in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 had her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab. The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Awol Abagojam, his son Isaac and his neighbor Ramla and her daughter Siam pick cherries from what is beleived to be the original ancestral coffee tree in the village Choche, in Jimma, (once the capital of the region known as Kaffa) .  Coffee permeates the cultural fabric of Ethiopian life and it unites the country. It binds the many different ethnic groups together, Christian or Muslim, rich or poor. An elaborate extension to Ethiopia's warm sense of hospitality, the coffee ceremony is a daily social ritual to honour the importance of the bean, and strengthen human bonds.
    ETH_0159.jpg
  • Fayoume, Egypt: Wael,16, who lives in Hamidia village in Fayoume, Egypt shows a neighbor, Ahmad, 6 months, one of his rabbits that is part of a telefood program funded byt FAO December 7, 2005.   The project has given him enough money to pay for school and buy goats for his family. . (Ami Vitale).
    2002_Egypt_022.jpg
  • Fayoume, Egypt: Wael,16, who lives in Hamidia village in Fayoume, Egypt shows a neighbor, Ahmad, 6 months, one of his rabbits that is part of a telefood program funded byt FAO December 7, 2005.   The project has given him enough money to pay for school and buy goats for his family. .(Photo Ami Vitale).
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  • Fayoume, Egypt: Wesam, 3, a neighbor of Wael, 16, who lives in Hamidia village in Fayoume, Egypt wears a rabbit fur decoration on her jacket that came from one of Wael's rabbits ,  part of a telefood program funded by FAO December 7, 2005.   The project has given him enough money to pay for school and buy goats for his family. .(Photo Ami Vitale)
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  • Ali Ipak 's wife Ayse makes bread with her neighbor, Elif (in red) December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara.  (Ami Vitale)
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  • Ali Ipak 's wife Ayse makes bread with her neighbor, Elif (in red) December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara.  (Ami Vitale)
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  • Ali Ipak's daughter Emel, 17, (in blue) offers tea to her father (far left), a neighbor Kazim Kardes, and the mayor of Kutoren Mr Ugur Akdogan  (in suit)   December 13, 2005 in central Turkey, Konya in Kutoren district, about 400 kilometers from Ankara. (Ami Vitale)
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  • Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 has her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab inside Coptic St. Mary's chapel in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, . The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 has her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab inside Coptic St. Mary's chapel in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, . The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Coptic christians pray outside St. Mary's church in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 had her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab. The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Coptic christians pray outside St. Mary's church in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 had her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab. The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 has her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab inside Coptic St. Mary's chapel in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, . The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Coptic christians pray outside St. Mary's church in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 had her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab. The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 has her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab inside Coptic St. Mary's chapel in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, . The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Coptic christians pray outside St. Mary's church in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 had her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab. The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 has her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab inside Coptic St. Mary's chapel in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, . The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Coptic christians pray outside St. Mary's church in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 had her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab. The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    DSC_0007A.jpg
  • Coptic christians pray outside St. Mary's church in the village of Fithi which means "justice" on the outskirts of  Barentu, Eritrea August 27, 2006. During this ceremony, Tiblits neighbor Zaid Tesheme, 31 had her baby baptized with the name Mihreteab. The donkey that Tiblets received from the womens union "Hamade", helped them prepare for the celebration afterwards.   (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Family and friends brand calves on the Oxarart Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 2, 2013. The Oxarart Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Chris Barthelmess wrangles a calf on the Oxarart Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 2, 2013. The Oxarart Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Aaron Anderson, 9 walks with Courtney Merrimen, 3, on the Barthelmess Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 1, 2013. The Barthelmess Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Kurt Anderson, 6, has fun with mud on the Barthelmess Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 1, 2013. The Barthelmess Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Aaron Anderson, 9, pets a horse on the Barthelmess Ranch near Malta, Montana on June 1, 2013. The Barthelmess Ranch is part of an innovative grass bank project that allows ranchers to graze their cattle at discounted rates on Nature Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Craig and Conni French brand their calves in Eastern Montana on May 12, 2013. The economic health of ranchers in Montana is greatly impacted by drought and climate change. Many ranchers are forced to sell at low prices during the drought because they run out of grass. This is why The Nature Conservancy's innovative grass bank project is so successful. The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from “busting sod,” or  plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns (thereby preserving an important food source for the endangered black-footed ferret) and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Afternoon ligtht falls upon the Koss's land in Eastern Montana on May 11, 2013. The Koss's work with The Nature Conservancy on the “grass bank" project which is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from “busting sod,” or  plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns (thereby preserving an important food source for the endangered black-footed ferret) and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Koss's share a lively meal at home in Eastern Montana on May 11, 2013. The Koss's work with The Nature Conservancy on the “grass bank" project which is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from “busting sod,” or  plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns (thereby preserving an important food source for the endangered black-footed ferret) and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Kendall Koss moves cattle on the Koss's land in Eastern Montana on May 11, 2013. The Koss's work with The Nature Conservancy on the “grass bank" project which is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from “busting sod,” or  plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns (thereby preserving an important food source for the endangered black-footed ferret) and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Bud Walsh works with The Nature Conservancy on his land in Eastern Montana across from the Matador "grass Bank" on May 9, 2013. The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from several years of severe drought essentially offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. Thirteen ranchers graze their cattle on the Matador and the grassbank has enabled TNC to leverage conservation on more than 225,000 additional acres of private land without the cost of purchase of the land or of easements. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from “busting sod,” or  plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns (thereby preserving an important food source for the endangered black-footed ferret) and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Prairie dogs give warning calls on the Matador ranch where 13 ranching families work together in Eastern Montana  at a "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly, his wife Jolynn and daughters Layla, 5, and Janae relax after a long day working with  ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly, his wife Jolynn and daughters Layla, 5, and Janae relax after a long day working with  ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly's daughter Layla sits on her horse in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Researcher Marisa Lipsey works with The Nature Conservancy in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7321.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7262.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7072.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7061.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7056.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_2040.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • Researcher Marisa Lipsey works with The Nature Conservancy in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7869.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Brian Martin speaks with rancher Bud Walsh  at the Matador ranch. TNC is using innovative ways to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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  • The Nature Conservancy's Brian Martin poses on the Matador Ranch where he works with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at a "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7845.jpg
  • Bird Researcher Marisa Lipsey brings her horses back after working on a cattle drive at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_7002.jpg
  • Layla Messerly, the daughter of Charlie Messerly helps her dad as he works on the Matador grass bank project with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_6973.jpg
  • Bird Researcher Marisa Lipsey brings her horses back after working on a cattle drive at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_6936.jpg
  • Bird Researcher Marisa Lipsey brings her horses back after working on a cattle drive at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_6927.jpg
  • Researcher Marisa Lipsey works her horse "Dakota" at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_6797.jpg
  • Layla Messerly, the daughter of the Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly helps her dad work with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_6695.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly. his daughter Layla, 5, researcher Marisa Lipsey and TNC employee Jason Hanlon gather cows  as they collaborate with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
    MON_1787.jpg
  • The Nature Conservancy's Matador Ranch Operations Manager Charlie Messerly. his daughter Layla, 5, researcher Marisa Lipsey and TNC employee Jason Hanlon gather cows  as they collaborate with 13 ranching families in Eastern Montana  at the Matador ranch "grass bank". The “grass bank" is an innovative way to leverage conservation gains, in which ranchers can graze their cattle at discounted rates on Conservancy land in exchange for improving conservation practices on their own “home” ranches. In 2002, the <br />
Conservancy began leasing parts of the ranch to neighboring ranchers who were suffering from  severe drought, offering the Matador’s grass to neighboring ranches in exchange for their  participation in conservation efforts. The grassbank has helped keep ranchers from plowing up native grassland to farm it; helped remove obstacles to pronghorn antelope migration; improved habitat for the Greater Sage-Grouse and reduced the risk of Sage-Grouse colliding with fences; preserved prairie dog towns and prevented the spread of noxious weeds. (Photo By Ami Vitale)
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