Sheila Barry

Using Social Media to Discover Public Values, Interests, and Perceptions about Cattle Grazing on Park Lands

Abstract In the western United States, livestock grazing often co-exists with recreation, cultural resource management and biodiversity protection on federal and state protected rangelands as well as on many local government open space areas. While the value of livestock grazing for managing rangeland vegetation to reduce fire fuel loads and improve wildlife habitat is increasingly recognized by resource management professionals, public concerns, and conflict between recreationist and livestock have led to reductions in public land grazing. Traditional public input methods yield a constrained picture of people’s attitudes toward cows and public land grazing. Public meetings, hearings, and surveys, the most commonly used mechanisms for public land managers to solicit public opinion, tend to foster participation of organized special interests or, in the case of surveys, focus on a specific topic. General public input is limited. This study explored the use of personal photography in social media to gain insight into public perceptions of livestock grazing in public spaces. Key findings of this study include that many recreationist in grazed San Francisco Bay Area parks shared views, interests, and concerns about cows and grazing on the photo-sharing website, FlickrTM that seldom show up at a public meeting or in surveys. Results suggest that social media analysis can help develop a more nuanced understanding of public viewpoints useful in making decisions and creating outreach and education programs for public grazing lands. This study demonstrates that using such media can be useful in gaining an understanding of public concerns about natural resource management.

Comparison of Comparative Yield and Stubble Height for Estimating Herbage Standing Crop in Annual Rangelands

Abstract We compared calibration equations for estimating herbage standing crop (HSC) from comparative yield (CY) rank or stubble height (SH) to determine 1) if CY rank is a better estimator than SH of standing crop, 2) if addition of SH to CY rank will improve the estimation of standing crop, 3) if there is a seasonal effect on CY rank or SH, and 4) if botanical composition influences the prediction of HSC from CY. The results of this study indicate that CY is a slightly better predictor of HSC than is SH. Addition of SH to CY did not improve the prediction of HSC. Models that predict HSC from CY in summer were weaker than models for winter, early spring, and late spring. Thus the CY method can be used with confidence throughout the year. The presence of filaree (Erodium cicutarium L.) in winter and early spring resulted in steeper calibration equations than were present in nonfilaree quadrats.

Grazing for Biodiversity in Californian Mediterranean Grasslands

On the Ground Californias Mediterranean climate zone supports grasslands that are biologically diverse. Livestock grazing is being increasingly used to promote native species diversity at both the pasture and landscape scales. Several federally and state-listed vertebrates and insects respond positively to grazing to improve habitat by opening and lowering grassland vegetation. More work is needed on enhancement of native plants. Research results need to be more extensively applied, tested, and monitored under variable conditions.

Coping with Drought on California Rangelands

On the Ground Rangeland livestock producers were among the first agricultural communities affected by Californias multiyear drought. Rancher surveys and in-person interviews have identified key strategies for coping with and adapting to drought. Increasing flexibility, resource valuation, and information sharing are important components of building adaptive capacity. Web-based communication systems have provided new tools for peer-to-peer learning, public education, and extending knowledge to larger audiences. Insights from managers experiences are important for adaptation planning to enhance resilience of rangeland social-ecological systems to climate stresses.

Using Phenology to Optimize Timing of Mowing and Grazing Treatments for Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)☆

ABSTRACT The invasive annual grass medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae [L.] Nevski) poses a substantial threat to the health and function of rangelands across the western United States. On rangelands containing other desirable annual grasses, selective control of medusahead is difficult as this invasive species has traits similar to those of desired species. One key trait that differs between medusahead and other annual grasses is the rate and timing of phenological development. In this study we define management states for medusahead on the basis of the patterns of variation of forage palatability and susceptibility of seed production to defoliation over phenological stages. We integrate these management states with field observations to model the rates and timing of phenology-based management states to identify when targeted grazing or mowing treatments are most appropriate using Dirichlet regression and multistate modeling. While defoliation at any phenological stage from V3 (boot) to R8 (milk stage) was effective in reducing medusahead seed head production, clipping after anthesis almost eliminated seed production. However, the observed decline in crude protein at this point (11–8%) suggests that the transition from R4 (emergence of awns) to R5 (anthesis) is also the point at which medusahead becomes both unpalatable and not adequately nutritious to livestock. As a consequence there was a window of 10 to 15 days when 90% or more of medusahead reproductive tillers are susceptible to grazing but could also support nutritional needs of cattle and sheep to prevent avoidance in diet selection. In contrast, the window of opportunity for mowing, on average, extended for about 35 days. In a given year, the timing in which different medusahead populations entered each phenological stage varied at both the landscape and pasture scale, which creates both challenges and opportunities in using grazing animals and other defoliation mechanisms to control medusahead.

Compatibility of Livestock Grazing and Recreational Use on Coastal California Public Lands: Importance, Interactions, and Management Solutions

ABSTRACT While the primary use of rangelands for over a century has been livestock grazing to produce food and fiber, elevated demand for recreational land has increasingly brought livestock-recreation interactions to the forefront. Californias coastal range is a hotspot for graziers and recreationists alike and is an important region in which to address the challenges and opportunities of concurrent grazing and recreation. Here we review issues related to livestock grazing on publicly owned recreational lands, discuss potential areas of conflict, and highlight promising avenues for fostering positive livestock-recreation interactions. Managers grazing livestock on public lands have adopted a variety of management practices to minimize conflicts and maximize benefits derived from multiple uses of public lands. However, even a few perceived negative recreationist experiences may prompt some public land agencies to remove livestock grazing entirely. Californias grasslands—a large component of public lands—are the most “at-risk” habitat type for development, and increasing economic and social pressures on ranchers who utilize leased public lands make it more likely that ranchers would sell their private lands to developers if access to public grazing land were eliminated, further increasing threats to our already dwindling rangelands. The continued accessibility of public lands for grazing is thus inextricably linked to the protection of private rangelands and the critical resources they provide. Novel approaches to public education and collaborative land management are critical to reducing negative livestock-recreation encounter and ensuring continued conservation of wildlands.

Ranching Infrastructure: Tools for Healthy Grasslands, Livestock, and Ranchers

Author(s): Barry, Sheila; Larson, Stephanie; Bush, Lisa | Abstract: Part of the Understanding Working Rangelands series. Ranch roads, fencing, gates, water systems, corrals, and working scales play a key role in proper management of livestock and effective management of rangelands. Having the right infrastructure is crucial to maintain the health and safety of rancher as well as the environment.

The California Rangeland Conservation Coalition

has made clear is that conserving working landscapes often means working across property lines and in col-laboration with planners, agencies, conservation groups, landowners, and the ranching industry. A ranch in the San Francisco Bay Area was the backdrop for a meeting between environmentalists, ranchers, and resource profes-sionals from federal and state agencies. From this meeting of former foes in the Summer of 2005, participants drafted a resolution documenting common ground for the conserva-tion of the rangeland encircling the central valley, including the Sierra foothills and interior coast ranges. The resolution recognized that these wildlife-rich rangelands have been shaped by grazing and the other land stewardship practices of the ranchers who own and manage them. Recent research contributed to this alliance, by showing how well-managed grazing can provide improved habitat values.The resolution is currently signed by 64 agricultural orga-nizations, environmental interest groups, as well as state and federal agencies (see The California Rangeland Resolution). Together these signatories form the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition. The signatories have pledged to work together to preserve and enhance California’s rangeland for species of special concern, while supporting the long-term viability of the ranching industry. An important part of the group’s effort will focus on educating the public about the benefi ts of grazing and ranching on these rangelands.The value of grazing and other land stewardship practices of California’s ranchers is being increasingly acknowledged not only as a preferred land use but also as an

Working LandscapesThe California Rangeland Conservation Coalition: Grazing research supports an alliance for working landscapes

has made clear is that conserving working landscapes often means working across property lines and in col-laboration with planners, agencies, conservation groups, landowners, and the ranching industry. A ranch in the San Francisco Bay Area was the backdrop for a meeting between environmentalists, ranchers, and resource profes-sionals from federal and state agencies. From this meeting of former foes in the Summer of 2005, participants drafted a resolution documenting common ground for the conserva-tion of the rangeland encircling the central valley, including the Sierra foothills and interior coast ranges. The resolution recognized that these wildlife-rich rangelands have been shaped by grazing and the other land stewardship practices of the ranchers who own and manage them. Recent research contributed to this alliance, by showing how well-managed grazing can provide improved habitat values.The resolution is currently signed by 64 agricultural orga-nizations, environmental interest groups, as well as state and federal agencies (see The California Rangeland Resolution). Together these signatories form the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition. The signatories have pledged to work together to preserve and enhance California’s rangeland for species of special concern, while supporting the long-term viability of the ranching industry. An important part of the group’s effort will focus on educating the public about the benefi ts of grazing and ranching on these rangelands.The value of grazing and other land stewardship practices of California’s ranchers is being increasingly acknowledged not only as a preferred land use but also as an

The California Rangeland Conservation Coalition: Grazing research supports an alliance for working landscapes

has made clear is that conserving working landscapes often means working across property lines and in col-laboration with planners, agencies, conservation groups, landowners, and the ranching industry. A ranch in the San Francisco Bay Area was the backdrop for a meeting between environmentalists, ranchers, and resource profes-sionals from federal and state agencies. From this meeting of former foes in the Summer of 2005, participants drafted a resolution documenting common ground for the conserva-tion of the rangeland encircling the central valley, including the Sierra foothills and interior coast ranges. The resolution recognized that these wildlife-rich rangelands have been shaped by grazing and the other land stewardship practices of the ranchers who own and manage them. Recent research contributed to this alliance, by showing how well-managed grazing can provide improved habitat values.The resolution is currently signed by 64 agricultural orga-nizations, environmental interest groups, as well as state and federal agencies (see The California Rangeland Resolution). Together these signatories form the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition. The signatories have pledged to work together to preserve and enhance California’s rangeland for species of special concern, while supporting the long-term viability of the ranching industry. An important part of the group’s effort will focus on educating the public about the benefi ts of grazing and ranching on these rangelands.The value of grazing and other land stewardship practices of California’s ranchers is being increasingly acknowledged not only as a preferred land use but also as an