Conservation & Working Ranches
TLC has been working actively with BC ranchers, exploring options which allow conservationists and industry members to work cooperatively to maintain ranching operations in the province.
The Land Conservancy works on the premise that ranches help maintain grasslands and, in turn, help support the wildlife species dependent on these areas. Of key importance to both interests is a strategy to address pressures that are forcing ranchers to sell for development.
TLC’s campaign to protect our Interior forests and grasslands is a long term effort to conserve key areas of BC’s Interior ecosystems through cooperation with private landowners. Because Canada loses thousands of acres each year of productive rangeland to alternative uses such as housing development, our primary focus has been on the protection of grasslands. TLC stands firmly behind the motto ‘Cows not Condos’, believing that conversions are impacting both industry and biodiversity – changing the open landscapes shared by cattle and wildlife forever.
In working with ranchers and managers in the East Kootenay, it became apparent that the effectiveness of grassland conservation measures would be limited if the smaller acreage/ranchette owners were not included in our delivery. At this time many smaller ranching operations are being forced out, as speculation values for their properties far exceed the returns for their ranching investments. The irreplaceable environmental, agricultural, scenic, and historic values of these lands have prompted a diversity of conservation groups, government agencies, and agricultural organizations to search for mechanisms to preserve this valuable component of the industry.
There are a variety of mechanisms that TLC utilizes in its effort to protect these important lands. TLC holds conservation covenants and also directly purchases properties and other interests in land. Where land is held by TLC it can be leased to a rancher, managed directly by TLC, or – where it fits the wishes of the landowner – leased to another agency for management. Where TLC retains management, long-term stewardship is provided through the efforts of our staff and volunteers. TLC also encourages owners to conserve natural, historical, scenic and scientific values through stewardship programs.
TLC also has a strong commitment to education campaigns across the province. Several projects with ranchland owners have been running successfully. Also, TLC currently owns two ranch properties which are operated through agreements with ranchers. Both of these ranches are sites for our Working Holiday program, in which volunteers can help with stewardship projects as well as learning about the conservation of the sites. For more information about these projects, please check out the Talking Mountain Ranch and Horsefly River Conservation Area pages.
To help with our education about conservation on working ranches, a Canadian edition of "Preserving Working Ranches in the West" has been created as a follow-up and extension tool. Copies of this document are available for $4, to cover postage and handling. Please order your copy by sending a cheque or money order to TLC Head Office. (click here for contact information)
