Rangland Management Tool: Cowpacity Gives A Prescribed Grazing Model to Land Conservation

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

Cowpacity Gives A Prescribed Grazing Model to Land Conservation

Many preserved lands require prescribed livestock grazing as a management tool to promote healthy habitats for protected species, control invasive weeds, and/or reduce fire hazards.  In order to provide accurate grazing recommendations to land conservation planning, WRA created Cowpacity.  A carrying capacity GIS model, Cowpacity helps quantify optimal grazing regimes.  The model automates all spatial analysis and only requires the preparation of input data layers for a project, providing a scientifically-based, economical way to optimize your grazing plan.

Full article by WRA Inc’s, Michael Rochelle

 

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Conservation Resource: A Buyer’s Guide to Conservation Credits

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

A Buyer’s Guide to Conservation Credits
Whether you are designing a major highway project or building a shopping center, environmental mitigation requirements can be an intricate and complex process.
Read full article by Liston Witherill and Justin Derby of WRA Inc.

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News: Good science, good partners: WRA Inc.

Posted on February 14, 2013 by

WRA Inc., San Rafael, CA based environmental consultants launch robust new website.

Wetland Mitigation & Conservation Banking

http://www.wra-ca.com/services/mitigation-banking/conservation-banking/

Project Examples: North Bay Mitigation & Conservation Bank

http://www.wra-ca.com/projects/north-bay-conservation-and-mitigation-bank/

Articles: Buyers Guide to Conservation and Mitigation Credits

http://www.wra-ca.com/a-buyers-guide-to-conservation-credits/

Habitat Restoration:

http://www.wra-ca.com/services/biology/habitat-restoration/

Staff Profiles: Tim DeGraff MS, PWS
Senior Vice President, Senior Biologist

http://www.wra-ca.com/about/personnel/timothy-degraff/

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Research: Hoof Prints and Habitat

Posted on November 5, 2012 by

An article by Jeffery Wilcox, published in the latest issue of Grasslands highlights the importance of stockponds as habitat for special-status species like the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii). The author states that as conversion to other uses encroaches historic habitat for amphibian special-status species, stock ponds in open grasslands become increasingly important for the survival of those species. The article emphasizes that cattle and grazing are not only compatible but essential in the protection of a variety of species in California. Jeffery Wilcox is a Managing Ecologist with the Sonoma Mountain Ranch Preservation Foundation in Petaluma. For more information click here

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How-To Reference for Building Point-Nonpoint Water Quality Trading Programs

Posted on September 5, 2012 by

In it Together: A How-To Reference for Building Point-Nonpoint Water Quality Trading Programs lays out guidelines for groups who want to build water-quality trading programs. In It Together was written by the Willamette Partnership, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Environmental Markets, the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, and the World Resources Institute. To access the report click here.

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Sonoma water quality market

Posted on August 29, 2012 by

Sotoyome Resource Conservation District in Sonoma County, California is setting up a water quality trading market that would let water polluters avoid fines by paying for projects that reduce water pollution. The market will be the first of its kind in California.

The city of Santa Rosa is the first reported buyer of credits generated by landowners making improvements to their property that also serve the greater good (water quality). This is a fantastic example of landowners being paid for one of the ecosystem services their properties provide their community.  Details Here

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Fellowship Funding: PERC’s Environmental Entrepreneur Fellowship – Application Deadline 3/5/12

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

If you believe in the power of markets to drive conservation and environmental goals then take a few minutes to research PERC’s Enviropreneur Institute “PEI”.  The application deadline is March 5, 2012 so don’t procrastinate.

PERC’s Enviropreneur Institute provides outstanding education and networking opportunities for environmental entrepreneurs. The PEI fellowship provides a entrepreneurs the opportunity to spend 2 weeks focusing on business solutions to specific environmental problems.

PERC provides outstanding facilities for its PEI fellows including their conference center in Bozeman, Montana, Montana State University and Ted Turner’s Flying D Ranch.

Enviropreneur.org 

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