Cattle graze on the Llano Seco Unit of the Sacramento River NWR Credit: Joe Silviera

Llano Seco Rancho cowboy hearding cattle in a study plot. Credit: Sheli Wingo

Llano Seco Rancho cowboys herding cattle to a study plot on the Sacramento River NWR. Credit: Sheli Wingo

The Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge grazing program was given the thumbs up in a 2008 CCA Magazine article entitled Preventing Catastrophes: Utilizing Grazing to Reduce Fuel Loads by Tracy Schohr, Rangeland Conservation Director at the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition.

A two part story, the second half focuses on the northern unit of the Refuge and the successful partnership they have with an adjacent cattle operation, Llano Seco Rancho to reduce fuel loads through cattle grazing.  The article also highlights cattle grazing’s role in enhancing native perennial grasses and forbs, controlling invasive species and promoting wildlife habitat.

Assistant Refuge Manager Kelly Moroney and wildlife biologist Joe Silviera are quoted extensively in the story and were very successful in incorporating Service messages into an article that will reach over 3,000 California cattlemen.  To read the story [link]