Public Lands Grazing Reform

Livestock production is by far the most widespread destructive activity on the arid and semi-arid western landscape. Forest Guardians is working to eliminate livestock grazing on public lands by enforcing federal environmental laws, challenging wasteful and ecologically harmful ranching subsidies, and educating the public about the real ecological costs of livestock production in the arid Southwest.

One example of the ecological cost of ranching is the conflict between livestock and endangered Mexican gray wolves. The lobo was reintroduced to New Mexico and Arizona in 1998 after being driven to extinction in the wild. Under pressure from the livestock industry, wolves have been increasingly scapegoated for problems and, if trends don't change, could become extinct in the wild for the second time.

Join Governor Richardson in calling for the US Fish & Wildlife Service to put an end to this senseless wolf slaughter. Send a letter now!

Send a letter to Governor Napolitano asking her to join Governor Richardson in standing up for lobos!

Read more about ecological impact..

Restoring ecosystem health

Although streamside forests and wetlands make up less than one percent of the landscape of New Mexico, as many as 80 percent of wildlife species and 70 percent western bird species depend on these ecosystems for their survival. Forest Guardians is working to reform current federal land management which sacrifices these crucial wildlife zones. We are documenting the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service management practices on our public lands to show the effects of grazing and the benefits of removing cattle from riparian areas. See dramatic before and after photos

Activists take on irresponsible government

The U.S. Forest Service failed to comply with routine environmental standards to monitor and limit environmental damage due to livestock grazing on 50 to 75 percent of all grazing allotments in New Mexico and Arizona between 1999 and 2003. Of the allotments that were monitored, significant violations occurred. Forest Guardians uses litigation to force these agencies to abide by federal environmental laws. Read more about our grazing litigation..
Read the report

Dispelling the Cowboy myth

The rugged independent cowboy is disappearing. Many ranches - especially the larger ones - are owned by wealthy individuals and corporations.  Half are now hobby ranches, sacrificing the wildlife and ecosystems of publicly owned land for the nostalgic indulgence of a few. The federal government collects $20 million annually in ranching fees but spends $500 million-$1 billion to subsidize Western livestock grazing. Meanwhile, our public lands are dying.

In contrast, increasing costs, low beef prices, drought, and decades of over-grazing have pushed smaller ranches into financial hardship - despite below-market fees ranchers pay to government for public land grazing. Read more about the failing economics of ranching..

Permit buyout: A legislative solution

Despite the devastating economic and ecological costs of grazing, historically Congress has been unwilling to reduce subsidized grazing on public lands. But that is changing. A solution proposed by the National Public Lands Grazing Campaign, a coalition of conservation groups including Forest Guardians, would allow government and non-profit groups to "buyout" grazing permits and permanently retire them. This concept and individual legislative proposals advancing it are swiftly gaining acceptance in the environmental movement, the livestock industry and Congress.
Read more about federal Buyout Bills..

For specific questions about our efforts to reduce grazing on public lands, contact Melissa Hailey, Grazing Reform program director.