Relationships must be restored
Guest post by student Liz Cutler -
During this first portion of wildlife restoration Dr. Jachowski challenged my preconceptions of ranchers, environmentalists, and the battle to establish a balance between the sustainability of natural grasslands and ranching life. Leading up to his section, I was eager to understand ranchers’ and conservationists’ perspectives on sustainability, as I had only learned about Montana’s environment in a classroom setting. Hearing both sides and learning about the complicated debates held by ranchers and environmentalists, I was struck by how little communication exists between the two. This lack of communication has led to a clear fissure between the two, resulting in misinformation and miscommunication to thrive.
After speaking with multiple PhD researchers on what sustainability for Montana looks like, I have discovered how crucial every species is to the overall environment on the prairie. For example, prairie dogs play a vital role in the ecosystem by cycling nutrients in the soil, creating shelters and habitats for native species, increasing biodiversity in species, and serving as a crucial prey species. Without the prairie dog, many species would greatly struggle to survive, and are likely to go extinct. In addition to these concerns, the fragmentation of prairie land caused by enterprises buying it up for modern construction has made it much more difficult for natural species to thrive.
Frustratingly enough, the politicization of environmental issues has hindered progress, creating barriers to constructive dialogue and collaboration. After attending the symposium, I realized some topics, such as swift foxes, were welcomed with open arms while others weren’t even brought up. Conservation often involves balancing the needs of various stakeholders, in this case the local community, ranchers, researchers, indigenous peoples, and environmental organizations. Conflicting interests have led to many groups advocating for their own agendas, making it difficult for new perspectives to be welcomed.
The many ideologies towards how prairie land should be utilized has resulted in a polarizing environment, in which individuals are less receptive to alternative viewpoints. As mentioned earlier, the lack of communication and spread of misinformation has contributed to distrust between different groups. This erosion of trust has created a difficult environment for constructive conversations, resulting in more misinformation to continue to spread. It's evident that no one wants to purposefully damage the prairie, but based on my personal experience, I believe it will be extremely impossible for anybody to make any progress if things continue as they are.
The generationally ingrained attitudes that ranchers possess towards certain species has become a large factor in their distrust for specific researchers and environmentalist organizations. While this can be frustrating for researchers and environmentalists, it is important that they realize sustaining Montana’s environment is much more than rehabilitating its natural prairies. In order to restore prairies, wildlife must first be restored, in order to restore wildlife, the relationship between environmentalist and rancher must be restored. Collaboration and understanding between these groups are key to achieving successful conservation outcomes. On the other hand, ranchers must review their preconceived assumptions about wildlife and rationalize where they came from. It is my hope that ranchers evaluate why they allow some species, such as elk or pronghorn, to continue thriving on the prairies while holding hostility towards others. I hope environmentalists and researchers discover the value in listening to the local community, and truly understanding their perspectives. It is crucial for researchers and environmentalists to engage with ranchers and address their concerns, while ranchers should be open to evaluating their assumptions and preconceived notions about wildlife. Ultimately, it will take efforts from all stakeholders to overcome the challenges towards a sustainable future for Montana’s prairies.
