The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) is pleased to announce Anderson Ranch Inc. of Fir Mountain, Saskatchewan as the 2016 recipient of The Environmental Stewardship Award (TESA). The ranch is operated by Miles Anderson and his wife Sheri, who received the award this evening in Calgary, Alberta in an awards ceremony during the inaugural Canadian Beef Industry Conference (CBIC).
The Andersons expressed sincere gratitude as they accepted the award during the conference banquet.
CCA Environment Committee Chair Bob Lowe presented the Andersons with a belt buckle and local artwork in honour of the event. “The relationships that the Andersons have built between the conservation and agriculture communities to work together on Species at Risk habitat are truly unique. They have no misgivings reaching across the fence and accepting suggestions in order to truly do what’s best for the species that live on their ranch.”
The Andersons manage a ranching operation that includes private holdings and large provincial grazing leases south of Fir Mountain, Saskatchewan.
The area features a wide range of ecosystems including rolling grasslands, rich riparian areas and sprawling sagebrush in the heart of the Great Plains. Most significantly, the ranch is home to many endangered and at-risk wildlife species that the Andersons work hard to protect.
For example, Anderson has studied sage grouse nesting habits and adapted his grazing rotation to ensure dense vegetation necessary for nesting is kept intact during peak times of the year.
He has also installed an innovate style of fencing to prevent endangered sage grouse from becoming injured in collisions. This innovation has also holds benefit for antelope and other species and has captured the attention of other sustainable ranchers and conservationists around the world.
Anderson Ranch Inc.’s commitment to managing rangeland in a manner that not only benefits their cattle, but wildlife who find refuge in these fragile environments demonstrates the commitment to sustainability that the TESA embodies.
Source: Cattle