Conservation Highlights
Environmental Heroes - The 2008 Leopold Conservation Award
In Partnership with the Sand County Foundation and California Farm Bureau Federation, Sustainable Conservation sponsors the California Leopold Conservation Award.
The award recognizes California farmers and ranchers who demonstrate outstanding stewardship and sustainable management of natural resources, and includes $10,000 from the Sand County Foundation. The award is presented in honor of famed conservationist and author Aldo Leopold, who called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage.
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Chet Vogt, Three Creeks Ranch - 2008 California Leopold Conservation Award Winner
A leader across sectors, Vogt recognizes the strong correlation between conscientious herd management and land health. His Three Creeks Ranch, a 500 head cow/calf operation spanning 5,300 acres in Elk Creek, demonstrates that environmental and economic sustainability can go hand in hand.
Vogt's grazing program, a cornerstone of his holistic approach, rotates his cattle among 32 fenced paddocks so that each area experiences only about 15 days of grazing annually. This schedule supports healthy soil, native plants and cattle. Sectioned-off riparian corridors and livestock ponds designated for short-term grazing provide abundant wildlife habitat, including nesting quarters for imperiled Tricolored blackbirds.
Vogt couples three decades of voluntary conservation with a strong reputation for bridging the gap between cattle ranchers and environmental advocates, forging effective partnerships among diverse stakeholders. He has held numerous community leadership positions and currently serves the California Cattlemen's Association as chairman of the Rangeland Improvement Committee.
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Jill and Steve Hackett, Howe Creek Ranch - 2008 California Leopold Conservation Award Finalists
Steve and Jill Hackett have taken a proactive approach to integrating ecological sustainability into their 4,000 acres of forests and cattle pasturage in Ferndale (Humboldt County), where the family's roots run back 95 years. Their forestry practices create corridors of mature forest and healthy watersheds that support salmon, spotted owls and other wildlife. The Hacketts have permanently protected their land through a conservation easement, ensuring that it will remain working timber and rangeland for generations to come.
Steve helped to establish the vision and consensus for the California Rangeland Water Quality Management Plan as a prototype alternative to rangeland regulation. That plan, which now covers more than one million acres, is credited with injecting incentives and cooperation into ranch planning and restoration implementation, and with effectively engaging environmental groups, industry groups and federal and state government agencies.
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Al Montna, Montna Farms - 2008 California Leopold Conservation Award Finalist
Rice grower Al Montna has created extensive habitat for wildlife, particularly waterfowl, through his 2,500-acre farming operation in Yuba City (Sutter County). He also led the way in replacing the practice of burning rice stubble with environmentally safe alternatives and reducing pesticide run-off into the Sacramento River by 90%.
This year, he installed a solar power system to run the Montna Farms rice dryer. Known for bringing people together, he has held leadership positions in numerous industry organizations and public policy boards, such as Northern California Water Association, California Bay-Delta Authority and State Board of Food and Agriculture.
News
> Video of 2008 Winner, Finalists – California Farm Bureau Federation
> "Home on the Range" - Chico News and Review
> "Leopold Finalists Announced" - Capital Press