In celebration of Earth Day, Wyoming Governor Matt Mead will proclaim July 14, 2015 as Wyoming Environmental Stewardship Day. Governor Mead will sign the proclamation during a ceremony Monday, April 22 in his formal office.
Each year, Wyoming Environmental Stewardship Day marks the date of the Environmental Stewardship Tour hosted by the Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA) and the Wyoming Department of Agriculture. The annual event showcases that year’s Leopold Conservation Award® recipient’s conservation efforts. The 2015 recipient of the award is King Ranch, a sustainable and profitable cattle operation west of Cheyenne.
[EasyDNNGallery|1689|Width|350|Height|350|position|left|resizecrop|False|lightbox|False|title|False|description|False|redirection|False|LinkText||]King Ranch is owned and managed by Mark and Trudy Eisele and their family. The ranch consists of 250 acres of prime hay land, as well as private and leased lands for grazing. Some of the practices designed to improve the environment include solar pumps for livestock watering tanks, which can be used by wildlife; rotational grazing; planting tree rows for shelter and wind break; low pressure pivot irrigation; and energy development cooperative mitigation and reclamation. The ranch runs anywhere from 100 to 750 head of cattle, allowing for manageable stocking levels. Beyond ranching, the family is involved in numerous civic and community service groups at the state level, holding membership, leadership and officer roles.
“It is an honor to be considered this year among some of the best ranches I’ve seen in the state,” said Mark Eisele.
“Ranchers know that we must take care of the land. My great-grandfather always said that where you find one blade of grass, leave two,” said Governor Mead. “The Environmental Stewardship Tour and Leopold Conservation Award® celebrate those who have truly left more for future generations, all the while feeding the country and preserving our open spaces and ranching heritage.”
“The King Ranch has an interesting opportunity to ranch near a big city, by Wyoming’s terms, and create rapport with the community as they have,” said Jim Magagna, Executive Vice President, Wyoming Stock Growers Association.
The Leopold Conservation Award is presented by Sand County Foundation, WSGA and Peabody Energy.
It is given in honor of renowned conservationist and author Aldo Leopold, who called for an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. Award applicants are judged based on their demonstration of improved resource conditions, innovation, long-term commitment to stewardship, sustained economic viability, community and civic leadership, and multiple use benefits.
The $10,000 award, and a crystal depicting Aldo Leopold, will be presented to the family at WSGA’s Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show Awards Luncheon June 5 in Sheridan.
“Farmers and ranchers like the Eiseles are integral to the health of Wyoming’s natural resources,” said Brent Haglund, President, Sand County Foundation. “Their voluntary conservation on private lands should be celebrated.”
The Leopold Conservation Award® in Wyoming is made possible through the support of Peabody Energy, The Monaghan Foundation. Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, World Wildlife Fund, DuPont Pioneer, The Mosaic Company and The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.
For more information or to attend the Environmental Stewardship Tour of the King Ranch on July 14, please call the Wyoming Stock Growers Association at 307-638-3942.
Source: Wyoming Stock Growers Association
