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"Through the years, the Ranches have used collaboration to accomplish innovative land management projects. This award also belongs to our many community partners for it is with them that we gain diversity of ideas and talents."
— Mandy Metzger
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Diablo Trust Ranches Win Regional National Cattleman Environmental Stewardship Award
Ranches Recognized for Commitment to Long-Term Stewardship
August 4, 2006
The Diablo Trust Ranches have been chosen as a Regional winner of the National Cattleman’s Beef Association’s 2006 Environmental Stewardship Award. The Arizona Cattle Grower’s Association nominated the Diablo Trust Ranches, Bar T Bar and Flying M Ranches, based on their leadership in the protection of open space, and watershed and livestock management.
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| Watch the Diablo Trust Award Video |
The Environmental Stewardship Award Program, now in its 16th year, is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences LLC and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and administered by the National Cattleman’s Beef Association. The Diablo Trust Ranches were selected from entries submitted from Region VI, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Hawaii.
“We are truly honored that the National Cattleman’s Beef Association has recognized the collaborative work of the Bar T Bar and Flying M Ranches,” said Mandy Roberts Metzger, President of the Diablo Trust. “Through the years, the Ranches have used collaboration to accomplish innovative land management projects. This award also belongs to our many community partners for it is with them that we gain diversity of ideas and talents.”
The historic ranches have protected Arizona open space for five generations. According to Metzger, their partnerships with agencies and groups including NRCS, Arizona Game and Fish, Arizona Department of Agriculture, USDA Forest Service, Arizona State Land Department, Rocky Mountain Elk, Arizona Antelope Foundation and others have benefited both wildlife and livestock. Since the 1960’s, the Diablo Trust ranches have completed almost 100,000 acres of grassland restoration and are currently planning to restore an additional 80,000 acres.
In response to increasing pressures, the ranches initiated the formation of the Diablo Trust in 1993. The Trust is a collaborative land management team land specific to 426,000 acres of intermingled private, state and federal lands. Participants in the Diablo Trust include ranchers, environmentalists, federal and state land managers, scientists, recreationists, elected officials and other citizens. Designated as a National Reinventing Government Laboratory in 1998, the Trust’s community projects have included Reflections of the Land – Diablo Trust Forum for the Arts; an environmental education program for grades 6-12; expanded scientific monitoring programs in cooperation with Northern Arizona University’s (NAU) Sisk Lab; and, exploration of local beef and native seeds marketing with NAU’s Center for Sustainable Environments.
In 2005, the Diablo Trust Ranches embarked on a mission to create one of the first Rural Planning Areas (RPA) in the State of Arizona. Authorized under Arizona Statute A.R.S. 11-806.D (3), and approved by the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, the Diablo Canyon Rural Planning Area (RPA) plan has been nominated for several state and national awards. The publication entitled The Diablo Canyon Rural Planning Area; Evolving Traditions in a New Economy identifies a tool kit of economic opportunities to provide landowners with alternatives to development of 40-acre ranchettes and wildcat subdivisions. Included in the toolkit are discussions of transfer of development rights, commercial wood products, local beef marketing and alternative energy development including biomass, wind and solar.
To obtain a copy of the award notification from the National Cattleman’s Beef Association or to obtain more information on the Environmental Stewardship Award application, please contact the Diablo Trust at (928) 523-0588.
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