PURPOSE:
To convene a balanced group of stakeholders to discuss natural resource management of the Northern Great Plains community surrounding the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, recognize conflicts among user groups and agencies, identify and work collaboratively toward solutions, and provide a discussion forum for increased understanding, cooperation, and partnership among user groups, agencies and other interested parties.
WHO we are:
A collaborative forum of stakeholders including ranchers, farmers, rural communities, tribal communities, agricultural organizations, federal and state agencies, federal, state, and local elected officials, NGOs, Montana Universities, conservation districts, scientists, academics, and members of the public at large all dedicated to imagining the best possible ecological, economic, and social outcomes for the Northern Great Plains counties surrounding the CMR National Wildlife Refuge in Central Montana.
Three-part GOAL for the Landscape:
Describe the quality of life you would like to see be predominant in the region in 5 to 10 years.
“We want this region to maintain a diversified economy within which a prosperous agriculture industry is sustained and local communities are prosperous with stable populations. We desire an atmosphere where agencies, local government, NGOs, and citizens work together to create positive outcomes for the community and citizens: focusing on common ground, mutual respect, and community-based decision making, where people are committed to the working group and access to public land is ensured for both the public and producers.”
What kind of production will be needed to sustain this quality of life?
”A diversity of unique goods and services to support economic and social values will need to be produced from a working landscape that maintains its scenic value, healthy soils, and ecological integrity. We must also identify and implement best management practices that integrate local ecological knowledge, succession planning in all entities, local working groups to address challenges, incentives to practice conservation, steady tax base to support infrastructure and responsible, well-educated citizens.”
What does the landscape need to look like to obtain your production?
”We desire a landscape that provides habitat for diverse and healthy wildlife populations, where further conversion of native prairie is discouraged, and where the needs of natural resource dependent industries are balanced with conservation. In short, healthy agriculture lands cooperatively managed for the benefit of the resource, wildlife, industry, and community.”