Activity 2.3.2 Ranches as Grassland Conservation

1. Exploratory 

Probe basic facts and knowledge found in the video and article. (What research evidence supports _________? Type up several facts and basic knowledge from the video & article. Relate this to what you find in other resources, prior activities for stronger scores.)) 

• Before listening to the “In Mountain & Prairie Podcast” by Ed Roberson, I was able to review and acknowledge more information about Jim Howell who is the CEO of Grasslands LLC. Grasslands LLC is a regenerative ranching which allows it to properly be managed by livestock. According to Jim Howell, “Grasslands manage extensive, wild, rugged grassland landscapes, acquired for or owned by our investor partners. We provide long term skillful stewardship of the land, livestock, and invested capital. We nurture these landscapes toward ever greater ecological integrity and financial viability while providing meaningful and satisfying careers for hard-working, land-loving people” (Roberson 1). This allows us viewers and readers to acknowledge that there are innovative and creative individuals that are willing to help to shape the future of the American west. Allowing the American west to evolve and produce a positive environment for work, education, and overall, a stable environment. The podcast also gives us an insight on what they call, “Holistic Management" which is a process of decision making to help ensure that actions are being taken upon to restore land. Overall, just like any other activity that was applied in this Environmental Science course, it allows us to view from a different person's perspective who is making the change and successfully helping the environment in a better way. It may not only help the environment with natural resources, but it will also help their establishment in a unique way resulting in acknowledgment of innovative ideas.  

2. Diagnostic 

Probe motives or causes. (Why? (Tell your reader why this occurs. Explain the causes in detail.)) 

• The reason as to why it is important in this podcast to restore and conserve the world of grassland is because it allows more financial success. According to the podcast, “Jim and his team use livestock to mimic natural grazing patterns from hundreds of thousands of years ago, long before the world’s grasslands were covered with people, fences, houses, and cities. Savory and Grasslands’ results speak for themselves—after just a few years of holistic management, their ranches are measurably healthier, more productive, more biodiverse, and more financially successful” (Roberson 1). There is always a story behind people’s logistic actions and why they do what they do to preserve their land is a time-consuming way. Jim Howell in this interview allows us to view from his own perspective the matters he must take to allow his land to conserve overtime for years to come. The initial cause of this motive is to have a positive effect on the land. The podcast also touches base on the step-by-step process of how grassland is conserved in such a reasonable amount of time. By having no absolute idea or interest in grazing, this allows you to view what grazing is and why it has the most positive effect.  

3. Cause and Effect 

Causal relationships between ideas, actions, or events. (If __________ occurs, what happens?) 

• By listening to the podcast, it allows you to acknowledge more in depth as to why many actions are taken upon Howell and his team occur. After just a few short years of absolute holistic management, Grassland LLC ranches were healthier, productive, and biodiverse. Jim Howells interest in grazing lead him to becoming an author of a book called, “For the Love of Land: Global Case Studies of Grazing in Nature’s Image.” The method to a positive outcome always must start with a person who is significantly interested in their take on what they want to achieve for their business and the environment, and Howell has done just that. This has led to many successful occupations for Howell and his team, which allows a better view of why this action occurs. Overall, the different outcomes and management opportunities that led Howell to obtain this successful operation has gained a new knowledge on readers around the world and especially in this field of work. 

4. Priority 

Seek to identify the most important issue. (What is the most important issue?) 

• The most important issue that not only this podcast, but how Howell has partaken in many milestones has led him to future success in environmental strategies for grasslands. It not only allows viewers who are in this field of work to maintain their grasslands to become successful. The initial motive gives you an insight into how or what should be done to allow it to be successful for everyone. A basic idea of grazing is being evolved to maintain a natural manner for a healthy and resilient lifestyle. I have read and listened to the podcast and the information built around the study. Personally, I think this idea of grazing and having a “holistic management” strategy brings success and more initial outcome. Overall, you view the important issue the way you want to view it and it also allows you to reflect on what you have learned and how you know this strategic move will also benefit the environment. 

5. Application 

Probe for relationships and connect theory to practice. (How does this apply to you? How is this related to culture as we have studied so far?) 

• I do personally want to include that even though I do not have experience in grazing or ranches, this interview opened my perspective on the hard work Howell and his team do to maintain a successful establishment. This is related to the culture we have studied so far because it allows you to have a better insight into many people who have businesses that are also trying to keep the environment in better shape. Many of the cultures that we have studied so far in this course allowed us to open our perspective on maintaining the environment, as well as reading upon more actions that are taken. The relationships and connect theories combine allow more innovative thinking to be done.  

6. Critical 

Analyze how this challenges your thinking/assumptions. (How did this change your thinking? Did it? Why?) 

• The podcast has changed my thinking in a positive way and has allowed me to appreciate more people like Howell who sacrifice hard work and dedication for an overall successful outcome. It may not only be a successful outcome for his business, but a successful outcome in general for the environment. Many of these stories have shifted into my own thinking process and have allowed me to view environmental situations in a more helpful way. Before this course, I was not thinking about bettering the environment or even considering how to make our environment a better place. The negative effects that are taken against the environment encourage people like Howell to make a change and do better. I hope it takes an effect on you as a person to do better and treat the environment with respect, because it has to me.  

 

 

 

Work Cited: 

Roberson, E. (Host). (2016, May 26). Conserving and restoring the world’s grasslands [Audio podcast episode]. In Mountain & Prairie Podcast. http://mountainandprairie.com/jim-howell/