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Effective Riparian Area Management: A Strategic Approach for Ranchers

This management plan, authored by Gene Surber and Bob Ehrhart, provides ranchers with a systematic framework for effective riparian area management. It emphasizes a step-by-step approach to goal setting, resource inventory, strategy implementation, and ongoing monitoring. Ranchers are guided to establish SMART goals, assess current conditions, and determine actionable steps to enhance riparian health. The plan also includes monitoring techniques, such as photo-monitoring, to track changes over time, ensuring effective management and sustainability of natural resources.

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Effective Riparian Area Management: A Strategic Approach for Ranchers

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Presentation Transcript

  1. The Riparian Area Management Plan Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana

  2. Introduction • Ranchers – “do-ers” • Planning – systematic way of thinking • Work smarter, not harder

  3. Questions / Steps • Where do we want to be • Set goals • Where are we now? • Inventory resources • How are we going to get there? • Identify & implement strategies • How will we know we’re moving? • Monitor the resources for desired change

  4. Step 1: set goals • Provide purpose and focus • Specific goals • Long-term & Short-term

  5. Goals should be SMART • S – specific • M – measurable • A – attainable • R – related • T – tractable

  6. Step 2: Inventory resources • Where are you now? • Inventory • Conditions of riparian area • Resources you have / don’t have

  7. Step 2: Inventory resources • Inventory (assessment) methods • One method = “Stream channel & riparian monitoring guide” • Basic method • Can be used with little training

  8. Step 2: Inventory resources • Labor • Money • Expertise • Equipment • Time

  9. Step 3: Decide & Implement • What – actions to take • Where – the actions will occur • When – the actions will happen • How – the actions will be done • What – the actions will achieve

  10. Step 4: Monitor the impacts • Use the assessment guides for monitoring, as well • Photo-monitoring • Many assessments taken over time

  11. Step 4: Monitor the impacts • Why? • Why are you monitoring? • What? • What are you monitoring?

  12. Step 4: Monitor the impacts • Where? • How many sites? • 3 sites • Depends upon size of pasture • Depends upon different types of riparian areas • Accessibility • Time

  13. Step 4: Monitor the impacts • When? • Time of year • Regular basis – trends over time • Same sites, same time each year

  14. Photo-monitoring • Compares past with present • Record physical & biological changes • What am I trying to show? • How can I best “capture” it? • Is location appropriate now & in time?

  15. Determining photo locations • Shrubs block your view in 5 to 10 years • Anticipate floods • Same site from different directions

  16. Permanent locations • Use markers • GPS readings (or compass bearings)

  17. Landscape view • Use “photo placard” • Date • Location • Time of day • Direction of shot • Vertical point • (notch in hill, rock outcropping)

  18. Close-up view • 3 ft. x 3 ft. square • Stand on north side • Metal fence post or steel pole (100 ft away)

  19. Recording information • Location on map • Compass bearing • Allotment and/or pasture name • Date, type of film, camera lens size • Information explaining each photograph

  20. Storing the information • Notebook • Slides: non-pvc, non-acidic sheets • CD or DVD of digital photos

  21. Limitations – photo monitoring • Quantifiable data may be missed • Small notebook • PDA or Palm Pilot • Micro-cassette

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