June 2018 Newsletter
PFC Convening Learning Opportunity

Later this summer, Partners for Conservation will be convening a couple of invitation-only learning opportunities focused on the “people” part of collaborative conservation and public-private partnerships. Attendees will come from a number of landscapes across the West where people are engaged in public-private conservation partnerships.
A Legacy for Jed Wright

On October 6, 2017 the conservation community in Maine lost an inspiring leader and conservation partner. In addition to his many accomplishments on the ground in Maine, Jed was instrumental to the 10th Annual Private Lands Partners Day held in Bangor, Maine last year. 

On June 7th of this year friends, family and conservation colleagues gathered at Maine Audubon in Falmouth, Maine. The turnout was much greater than expected, which is reflective of the impact Jed had on the diverse group of individuals and organizations that care about Maine’s natural resources, particularly its rivers.

At the ceremony, Jed was granted the Superior Service Award of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Additionally, the Jed Wright Fellowship for River Health was established to benefit students that reflect some of Jed’s core values: Rivers, Partnerships, Innovation, Urgency and People.
Registration Open Private Lands Partners Day 2018!

Registration is now open for Private Lands Partners Day, which will be held October 2-4 in Springfield, Missouri at the Bass Pro Shops White River Conference Center . For over a decade this annual meeting has drawn together landowners and conservation partners of all types from across the country.

We both celebrate and learn about public-private partnerships that are bringing individuals and organizations together in pursuit of solutions that work for people, communities, and our natural resources. Early registration at a reduced rate ends July 6. Details on lodging can also be found here as well as a draft agenda.

We hope you can join us this fall in Missouri!
Partner & Private Land News
Ranching & Agriculture

With thousands of acres, millions of dollars, land trusts are a force in local development.

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet hope the U.S. Air Force will cover part of the nearly $11 million that they approved spending Wednesday to limit future development on four ranches and farms across four counties.

Houghton farmer honored for 50 years of dedication to conservation.

Delaware preserves more than 3,500 acres of farmland.

Farmers in Arkansas to use voluntary smoke management during post-harvest.

Grazing deal makes grass greener for Saskatchewan ranchers and threatened birds.

Water
Protecting the Paw Paw River in Michigan.

Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship receives $1 million grant to support alternative drainage systems in the Des Moines River Basin focused on improving water quality.  

Wildlife
Conservation project aims to offset oil impacts in N.D. Badlands.

Volunteers in Montana help family ranch restore land devastated by wildfire.

Forests
Domtar and the American Forest Foundation announce partnership for forest conservation and bird habitat.

Minnesota’s County-managed forests longest FSC-certified in U.S.
A NOTE FROM THE CHAIR

Greetings from western Montana! Summer is getting into full swing now, probably the busiest time for us here as well as for many if not most of our neighbors on the land all across the country. 

Partners for Conservation is busy as well gearing up for some great sessions with conservation partnerships in the West later this summer and of course Private Lands Partners Day the first few days of October in Springfield, Missouri. I know from talking with the planning team that the landowners and broader conservation community in Missouri are going to be over the top hosts with a great program. I hope many of you are able to make it!
 
Yours in Conservation,
Jim Stone
Ovando
Conservation Cowboy

Ranchers like Jim Strickland are seeking restrictions on their land to preserve wild Florida and their livestock legacies. Jim Strickland is a sixth-generation cattle rancher who, alongside fellow ranchers in the Sunshine State, is working to preserve Southwest Florida’s natural habitat.

photo by Katlyn Newman, USN&WR
Our Amazing Grasslands

Please enjoy the June 2018 video story about the Blue Bell Ranch in South Dakota operated by the Hamann family, featuring a truly inspirational perspective from a rancher who simply “loves grass” and works with Mother Nature rather than against it.  Read more about the Hamanns in Dakota Farmer .
Private Lands Conservation Jobs & Events

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization, seeks a Program Associate, Sustainable Ranching Initiative for its Bozeman, Montana office. WWF’s Northern Great Plains program envisions a future where thriving prairies and an abundance of wildlife contribute to the economic and cultural sustainability of the people who live in the NGP.

Ranchers Stewardship Alliance (Malta, Montana) is accepting applications for the position of Executive Director and Executive Assistant. Application review will begin June 1st and continue until the position is filled.  View detailed job descriptions here . To apply, please submit a letter of application/cover letter along with a resume to: ranchstewards@gmail.com .

The Board of Directors of the Ranchland Trust of Kansas seeks to hire a full-time Executive Director. Get more details and how to apply . Feel free to share with individuals interested in preserving open spaces and the ranching heritage of Kansas.

Grassland Planting and Management School planned for July 25-27 in Watertown, SD
Read more about the course and how to register in the Farm Forum
 
ABOUT PARTNERS FOR CONSERVATION

Partners for Conservation (PFC) is a private landowner-led organization which communicates and collaborates on conservation partnerships for working landscapes to benefit present and future generations. 
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Consider Joining Partners for Conservation
Consider becoming a member of Partners for Conservation. Partners for Conservation works to support collaboration and public-private partnerships as the first choice for conserving our national working landscapes for people and nature. More information on membership can be found on our website. 
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