))
#31 - The Ground Truth: Livestock Impacts to Western Desert Ecosystems w/ Jonathan Ratner
Manage episode 489256784 series 3580392
Content provided by Adam Bronstein. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Adam Bronstein or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
In this episode, I speak with Jonathan Ratner from Sage-Steppe Wild. Jonathan discusses the often unnoticed degradation caused by livestock grazing on public lands and shares his experiences working with agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. He recounts eye-opening moments from his conservation career, including detailed monitoring and documentation of ecological damage on various public lands, specifically highlighting grazing allotments in Utah and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The conversation delves into the inefficacies and challenges of current conservation policies and the importance of litigation and public involvement to achieve meaningful results. Jonathan emphasizes the need for on-the-ground data collection and site-specific knowledge to truly understand and advocate for the health of these ecosystems.
https://www.wild-sage.org
01:03 Introduction and Background
01:47 Early Career and Eye-Opening Experiences
03:22 Challenges in Conservation Efforts
04:25 Genesis of Conservation Initiatives
05:50 Conservation Organizations and Shifts
09:26 Current Conservation Work and Focus Areas
10:15 Data-Driven Conservation Approaches
11:27 Case Study: Robbers Roost Allotment
18:52 Wider Implications and Common Issues
25:00 Impact of Livestock Grazing on Western Landscapes
27:04 Challenges in Finding Ungrazed Land
28:05 Extreme Measures for Grazing in Utah
31:15 Restoration and Recovery Efforts
40:03 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
49:27 Public Lands and Personal Reflections
51:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Get full access to Our Public Lands Podcast at ourpubliclandspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
33 episodes
Share
