Compare and contrast the two methods that are currently being used to preserve shortgrass prairies in Montana.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The intent of both is obviously to preserve the prairie. However, it is being approached in two completely different ways. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is cooperating with local ranchers and allowing them to continue grazing cattle on most of the land (which TNC owns) in exchange for specific conservation measures including protection of prairie dog colonies and sage grouse nests. They must also control weed growth. TNC's approach is that by keeping ranch families working on the land, it preserves their lifestyle and at the same time, preserves the biodiversity of the Great Plains. Close by, the American Prairie Foundation (APF) is going about preservation by a completely different route. They have purchased approximately the same amount of land as TNC (close to 60,000 acres). Instead of continuing to allow cattle ranching, they will remove all fences and buildings and return the area to wilderness. They also plan to return wildlife including elk, bison, wolves and grizzly bears to the land. Nearby ranchers are not thrilled with the prospect of the predators being returned, as they feel their livestock will be threatened. Many also are not happy that the funding is coming mainly from Wall Street or Silicon Valley in California. They are upset that people with money from the outside are forcing changes upon them. They worry about restrictions that may be placed on the land. The APF defends its side by saying that tourism, bird-watching, and hunting will be allowed on nearly all of its lands and that this will bring in more income than raising cattle.