Building a tradition of adaptive rangeland management : Brenda and Tony Richards

Abstract

Tony and Brenda Richards run a family cow-calf operation in Murphy, Idaho. Their cattle graze a combination of private and public rangelands. The Richards actively work with agencies and other entities that have rule-making authority around grazing management on public lands. Though engagement is not a quick solution, the Richards highlight their experience with the 2015 Soda Fire, where this involvement with other entities benefitted their operation. The Richards are hopeful that by engaging in this way they can help change public lands management so that it provides them with the flexibility they need to have a resilient operation, necessary to address both current and future challenges that arise as the climate, their community, and society's needs and values change. This case study is part of the Rancher-to-Rancher Case Study project, which explores innovative approaches regional ranchers are using that increase their resilience in the face of a changing climate.