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  • Orphaned baby southern white rhinos are fed milk and then take a nap at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya. The Conservancy hosts an immense range of diversity. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond by supporting development in the communities outside the Conservancy’s boundaries, Lewa has become the leading role model for sustainable wildlife conservation throughout East Africa.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200801.TIF
  • Orphaned baby southern white rhinos are fed milk and then take a nap at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya. The Conservancy hosts an immense range of diversity. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond by supporting development in the communities outside the Conservancy’s boundaries, Lewa has become the leading role model for sustainable wildlife conservation throughout East Africa.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200745.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond.   Lewa is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.<br />
Lewa’s  bloodhounds have helped to drastically reduce crime in the area.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3348.JPG
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond.   Lewa is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.<br />
Lewa’s  bloodhounds have helped to drastically reduce crime in the area.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3328.JPG
  • Born into the Samburu tribe of northern Kenya, Tom Lalampaa could have ended up following the traditional pastoral lifestyle of his people – had his brother made a different choice. When Tom was a child, his father called his sons to him and said, “I’d like one of you to go to school and the other to remain here and help take care of the cattle.” The decision fell to Tom’s brother, as the eldest. He opted for the cattle, and Tom was sent to school. Ultimately – with the support of the entire community – he went on to complete a BA in social work and an MBA in strategic management at the University of Nairobi. His brother’s choice wound up changing not only Tom’s life but also that of the Samburu community and the land they call home. As community development manager for the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Tom is now a key player in efforts to protect Kenyan wildlife and improve the lives of his people and others who inhabit this beautiful but often unforgiving place.The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for e(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3226.JPG
  • Born into the Samburu tribe of northern Kenya, Tom Lalampaa could have ended up following the traditional pastoral lifestyle of his people – had his brother made a different choice. When Tom was a child, his father called his sons to him and said, “I’d like one of you to go to school and the other to remain here and help take care of the cattle.” The decision fell to Tom’s brother, as the eldest. He opted for the cattle, and Tom was sent to school. Ultimately – with the support of the entire community – he went on to complete a BA in social work and an MBA in strategic management at the University of Nairobi. His brother’s choice wound up changing not only Tom’s life but also that of the Samburu community and the land they call home. As community development manager for the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Tom is now a key player in efforts to protect Kenyan wildlife and improve the lives of his people and others who inhabit this beautiful but often unforgiving place.The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for e(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3225.JPG
  • Born into the Samburu tribe of northern Kenya, Tom Lalampaa could have ended up following the traditional pastoral lifestyle of his people – had his brother made a different choice. When Tom was a child, his father called his sons to him and said, “I’d like one of you to go to school and the other to remain here and help take care of the cattle.” The decision fell to Tom’s brother, as the eldest. He opted for the cattle, and Tom was sent to school. Ultimately – with the support of the entire community – he went on to complete a BA in social work and an MBA in strategic management at the University of Nairobi. His brother’s choice wound up changing not only Tom’s life but also that of the Samburu community and the land they call home. As community development manager for the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Tom is now a key player in efforts to protect Kenyan wildlife and improve the lives of his people and others who inhabit this beautiful but often unforgiving place.The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for e(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3210.JPG
  • Born into the Samburu tribe of northern Kenya, Tom Lalampaa could have ended up following the traditional pastoral lifestyle of his people – had his brother made a different choice. When Tom was a child, his father called his sons to him and said, “I’d like one of you to go to school and the other to remain here and help take care of the cattle.” The decision fell to Tom’s brother, as the eldest. He opted for the cattle, and Tom was sent to school. Ultimately – with the support of the entire community – he went on to complete a BA in social work and an MBA in strategic management at the University of Nairobi. His brother’s choice wound up changing not only Tom’s life but also that of the Samburu community and the land they call home. As community development manager for the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Tom is now a key player in efforts to protect Kenyan wildlife and improve the lives of his people and others who inhabit this beautiful but often unforgiving place.The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for e(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3205.JPG
  • Bud Walsh and Denver Baker modify a fence to make it more wildlife friendly. The design helps eliminate or substantially reduce the number of injuries and deaths to wildlife. The Nature Conservancy is working with ranchers in Eastern Montana on the Matador "grass bank" project. 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 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, May 9, 2013)
    MON_2796.jpg
  • Bud Walsh, Jacob Folk and Denver Baker modify a fence to make it more wildlife friendly. The design helps eliminate or substantially reduce the number of injuries and deaths to wildlife. The Nature Conservancy is working with ranchers in Eastern Montana on the Matador "grass bank" project. 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 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, May 9, 2013)
    MON_3802.jpg
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species. Yet Lewa’s mission is not only to protect wildlife, but to act as a catalyst for conservation across northern Kenya and beyond.   Lewa is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.<br />
Lewa’s  bloodhounds have helped to drastically reduce crime in the area.(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3357.JPG
  • Born into the Samburu tribe of northern Kenya, Tom Lalampaa could have ended up following the traditional pastoral lifestyle of his people – had his brother made a different choice. When Tom was a child, his father called his sons to him and said, “I’d like one of you to go to school and the other to remain here and help take care of the cattle.” The decision fell to Tom’s brother, as the eldest. He opted for the cattle, and Tom was sent to school. Ultimately – with the support of the entire community – he went on to complete a BA in social work and an MBA in strategic management at the University of Nairobi. His brother’s choice wound up changing not only Tom’s life but also that of the Samburu community and the land they call home. As community development manager for the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Tom is now a key player in efforts to protect Kenyan wildlife and improve the lives of his people and others who inhabit this beautiful but often unforgiving place.The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for e(Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_3217.JPG
  • Hilary Anderson plays with her daughter Elle outside their home on the J Bar L ranch. The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_5470.jpg
  • Elle Anderson, 2,  plays with a calf outside her family's home on the J Bar L ranch. The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_5387.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_9827.tif
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_9885.tif
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7768.tif
  • Bryan Ulring helps his son, Charlie, 4, herd cattle for the first time on a sunny November morning at the J Bar L Ranch in the Centennial Valley of Montana. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Ulring, adding that the ranch is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_1403.tif
  • Bryan Ulring, manager of the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana, spends time with one of his horses after herding cattle on a chilly November day. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_1253.tif
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.
    NCM3014_1309200937.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200676.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200634.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200629.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200609.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309200607.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.
    NCM3014_1309201002.TIF
  • The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy serves as a refuge for endangered species and is known for its 150 well-trained and highly motivated force of security personnel, who are deployed to incidents of poaching, cattle rustling, road banditry, robbery and any occurrences affecting peace and prosperity in the area.
    NCM3014_1309200952.TIF
  • The J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana experiences a cold November just before moving the cattle to Twin Bridges for the winter months. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_2202.jpg
  • Bryan Ulring, manager of the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana, spends time with one of his horses after herding cattle on a chilly November day. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_1284.jpg
  • Bryan Ulring, manager of the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana, spends time with one of his horses after herding cattle on a chilly November day. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_1251.jpg
  • Bryan Ulring, manager at the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana, goes for a sunset ride on a chilly November day. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," Ulring said. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_0072.jpg
  • Bryan Ulring, manager at the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana, goes for a sunset ride on a chilly November day. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," Ulring said. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_0058.jpg
  • Cowboys at the J Bar L ranch move cattle on a chilly November morning in the Centennial Valley of Montana. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_1800.jpg
  • Libby Ulring gives her son Charlie, 4, a snack while he's on a break from helping his father herd cattle on a chilly November morning at the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_9908.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7451.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7287.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7250.jpg
  • The horses at the J Bar L ranch are treated with care and love by their trainer, Libby Ulring. Unlike many horse owners, Libby practices and teaches gentle, natural horsemanship. Riders are encouraged to get to know the horse and let it lead them, rather than kicking and provoking the horse. But horses aren't the only animals on the ranch. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_8679.jpg
  • The horses at the J Bar L ranch are treated with care and love by their trainer, Libby Ulring. Unlike many horse owners, Libby practices and teaches gentle, natural horsemanship. Riders are encouraged to get to know the horse and let it lead them, rather than kicking and provoking the horse. But horses aren't the only animals on the ranch. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_8674.jpg
  • The horses at the J Bar L ranch are treated with care and love by their trainer, Libby Ulring. Unlike many horse owners, Libby practices and teaches gentle, natural horsemanship. Riders are encouraged to get to know the horse and let it lead them, rather than kicking and provoking the horse. But horses aren't the only animals on the ranch. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_6692.jpg
  • The horses at the J Bar L ranch are treated with care and love by their trainer, Libby Ulring. Unlike many horse owners, Libby practices and teaches gentle, natural horsemanship. Riders are encouraged to get to know the horse and let it lead them, rather than kicking and provoking the horse. But horses aren't the only animals on the ranch. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_6681.jpg
  • Amber Mason and Danielle Lattuga ride in a trailer as a pony, Sparky, tows them for a ride at the J Bar L ranch. The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Ulring. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_6622.jpg
  • Elle Anderson, 2,  plays with a calf outside her family's home on the J Bar L ranch. The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_5397.jpg
  • Amber Mason rides in a trailer as a pony, Sparky, tows her for a ride. The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Ulring. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_5348.jpg
  • Cowboys gather cattle for branding at the J Bar L ranch, a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_6021.jpg
  • Kiley Martinell and her children help herd cattle at sunset on an August day at the J Bar L ranch, a unique conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_4707.jpg
  • Cowboys herd cattle at sunset on an August day at the J Bar L ranch, a unique conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_4666.jpg
  • Wildlife ranger Msese plays with children near Navanga village, Tanzania.
    DSC0040.jpg
  • Hundreds, perhaps thousands of villagers, forest rangers, police and wildlife experts attempt to drive a herd of elephants from a village on the outskirts of Tezpur, Assam in Eastern India December 22, 2003.  India and its sacred elephants are threatened by poaching, deforestation and encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result of the loss of land, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. During this drive, a baby elephant, only days old was seperating from his mother and faces probable death without her. He is now at a rescue center in Kaziranga. (Ami Vitale)
    Elephants041.jpg
  • Elle Anderson, 2,  plays with a calf outside her family's home on the J Bar L ranch. The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_5390.jpg
  • Elle Anderson, 2,  plays with a calf outside her family's home on the J Bar L ranch. The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_5383.jpg
  • Bryan Ulring, manager at the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana, goes for a sunset ride on a chilly November day. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," Ulring said. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_1903.jpg
  • Stephen Becklund, a cowboy at the J Bar L ranch in the Centennial Valley of southern Montana, ropes cattle on a chilly November day. The J Bar L ranch finish their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_9898.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_9813.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_7286.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_6498.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    DSC_5943.jpg
  • Kiley Martinell and her children help herd cattle at sunset on an August day at the J Bar L ranch, a unique conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_4779.jpg
  • (Left to right) Andrew Anderson, Bryan Ulring, Stephen Becklund and Will Sparks herd cattle at sunset on an August day at the J Bar L ranch, a unique conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_4589.jpg
  • The J Bar L ranch is a unique, conservation-friendly ranch nestled into the wide open land of the Centennial Valley in southern Montana. The ranch finishes their cattle on grass, in contrast to the vast majority of ranches in the U.S. that send cattle to feedlots. The 2,000 head at J Bar L "never go into a feedlot," said Bryan Ulring, manager of the ranch. He added that the J Bar L is one of the biggest grass finishers in the state. The Centennial Valley is an important wildlife corridor for elk, moose, antelope, deer, wolverines, grizzly bears, wolves and hundreds of bird species. The valley is largely owned by a handful of large ranches, which means their use of the land impacts the local environment. © Ami Vitale
    TAN_6406.jpg
  • Hundreds, perhaps thousands of villagers, forest rangers, police and wildlife experts attempt to drive a herd of elephants from a village on the outskirts of Tezpur, Assam in Eastern India December 22, 2003.  India and its sacred elephants are threatened by poaching, deforestation and encroachment of the reserved land and natural forests.  As a result of the loss of land, wild elephants are rampaging through villages, killing people and destroying their homes and crops. During this drive, a baby elephant, only days old was seperating from his mother and faces probable death without her. He is now at a rescue center in Kaziranga. (Ami Vitale)
    Elephants037.jpg
  • Wildlife graze inside the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, eastern India where thousands of tourists visit each year January 6, 2004. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by deforestation and 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)
    Elephants031.jpg
  • Wildlife graze inside the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, eastern India where thousands of tourists visit each year January 6, 2004. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by deforestation and 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)
    Elephants029.jpg
  • Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, September 29, 2003: Wildlife graze near the Ngorongoro Crater where tourists pay extraordinary prices  to view them in luxury. Meanwhile, the Masai have been driven out of the Crater since 1972 and are not the ones profiting from the revenue brought by tourism. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    2003_Rwanda_036.jpg
  • Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, September 29, 2003: Wildlife graze near the Ngorongoro Crater where tourists pay extraordinary prices  to view them in luxury. Meanwhile, the Masai have been driven out of the Crater since 1972 and are not the ones profiting from the revenue brought by tourism. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    2003_Rwanda_035.jpg
  • Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, September 29, 2003: Wildlife graze near the Ngorongoro Crater where tourists pay extraordinary prices  to view them in luxury. Meanwhile, the Masai have been driven out of the Crater since 1972 and are not the ones profiting from the revenue brought by tourism. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    2003_Rwanda_034.jpg
  • Wildlife graze inside the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, eastern India where thousands of tourists visit each year January 6, 2004. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by deforestation and 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)
    Elephants032.jpg
  • Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, September 29, 2003: Wildlife graze near the Ngorongoro Crater where tourists pay extraordinary prices  to view them in luxury. Meanwhile, the Masai have been driven out of the Crater since 1972 and are not the ones profiting from the revenue brought by tourism. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    2006_Tanzania_Lion_01.jpg
  • Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, September 29, 2003: Wildlife graze near the Ngorongoro Crater where tourists pay extraordinary prices  to view them in luxury. Meanwhile, the Masai have been driven out of the Crater since 1972 and are not the ones profiting from the revenue brought by tourism. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    2003_Rwanda_033.jpg
  • Wildlife graze inside the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, eastern India where thousands of tourists visit each year January 6, 2004. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by deforestation and 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)
    Elephants026.jpg
  • Wildlife graze inside the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, eastern India where thousands of tourists visit each year January 6, 2004. India and its sacred elephants are threatened by deforestation and 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)
    Elephants025.jpg
  • "I am old, I don't know how old but I do remember WWII. In the past, we always had to ask our husbands for everything says Naltateni Lesepe. Now we can send our children and grandchildren to school and pay for things ourselves. " (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Ruby Ranch in Southwestern Montana drive their cattle from their winter pastures to summer pastures in the Centennial Valley. Today, very few ranches drive their cattle with horses, instead moving them by truck. The age of the open range is gone and the era of large cattle drives over. Historically, cattle drives were a major economic activity in the American west, when millions of cattle were herded from Texas to railheads in Kansas for shipments to stockyards in Chicago and points east. The long distances covered, the need for periodic rests by riders and animals, and the establishment of railheads led to the development of "cow towns" across the American West.
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  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309160949.TIF
  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309160942.TIF
  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • The Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309150466.TIF
  • The Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309150057.TIF
  • The Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309150054.TIF
  • Every morning during the dry season, the Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309141047.TIF
  • Every morning during the dry season, the Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309141042.TIF
  • Every morning during the dry season, the Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309141031.TIF
  • Every morning during the dry season, the Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309140635.TIF
  • Every morning during the dry season, the Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309140628.TIF
  • Lewa Conservancy in Northern Kenya. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
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  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309160906.TIF
  • The Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309150501.TIF
  • Passion Pictures crew film Samburu warriors digging wells for their cattle in Sara Conservancy in Northern Kenya for "Earth in the Age of Man." (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309160592.TIF
  • The Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309150468.TIF
  • The Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309150437.TIF
  • The Samburu warriors bring their cattle to dry river beds where they have dug wells. They sing as they lift the buckets of water from the deep wells  and each warrior's cattle knows which well is theirs based on the sound of the songs. (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    NCM3014_1309150406.TIF
  • "I am old, I don't know how old but I do remember WWII. In the past, we always had to ask our husbands for everything says Naltateni Lesepe. Now we can send our children and grandchildren to school and pay for things ourselves. " (Photo by Ami Vitale)
    KEN_1560.JPG
  • 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)
    MON_6048.jpg
  • 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)
    MON_6043-2.jpg
  • The Koss family works with The Nature Conservancy on their land in Eastern Montana on the "grass bank" project. 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, May 11, 2013)
    MON_5049.jpg
  • Kevin and Brenda Koss work with The Nature Conservancy on their land in Eastern Montana on the "grass bank" project. 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, May 11, 2013)
    MON_4972.jpg
  • The Koss family works with The Nature Conservancy on their land in Eastern Montana on the "grass bank" project. 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, May 11, 2013)
    MON_4951.jpg
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