On Voluntary Monitoring . . . .
A number of other Forests have also implemented permittee
monitoring programs. The Bridger-Teton Monitoring effort is perhaps unique
in that it is strictly voluntary. The committee that developed the protocol
was adamant that the monitoring be something that a permittee chose to
participate in, rather than being forced into monitoring. While it is true
that a smaller percentage of permittees will be performing monitoring there
is no doubt that the permittee monitoring that is accomplished will be of
extraordinarily high quality. Any amount of voluntary permittee monitoring
will build trust, respect, and free some additional time for a Range Specialist
to concentrate on other priorities.
The Permittee's Concern:
An objection to getting involved with monitoring that permittees often
submit is that rangeland monitoring is the Forest Service's job. True! However,
the Forest Service doesn't have the resources to perform the monitoring that
they, or permittees would like. If the Forest is unable to justify the grazing
program in the face of accusations of environmental degradation, competing
uses, etc., then who will be the loser? The Forest Service will continue.
The permittee and the Range Specialist will be the losers.
Believe it or not!
Without exception, permittees who are interested in monitoring are permittees
who meet all the following characteristics:
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They believe that they are doing a good job
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They want to be able to show that they are doing a good job and want to
learn how they can improve.
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They recognize that the long-term sustainability of the productivity of
the resource is important to them now and also the future. They aren't interested
in over exploitation or damaging the resource. If fact, they are hyper critical
of their contemporaries who may.
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They are interested in telling the story of their good stewardship to
others who may not have had the opportunity to visit their perspective.
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To a person, they will be eager to tell share their experiences in
monitoring.
If you would like to visit with me or anyone else that is involved about
the monitoring effort detailed here in these pages, please don't hesitate
to e-mail me. If you are interested in talking with someone other than
me, tell me if you want to talk to a rancher, or personnel from Forest Service,
Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Game and Fish, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, or University of Wyoming Department of Rangeland Resources and Watershed
Management.
Contact Eric Peterson,
University Extension Agent
Sublette County, WY
Click here to send me mail
Or you can reach me at: Phone: (307) 367-4380
Fax : (307) 367-4165
Mail:
P.O. Box 579
Pinedale,
WY 82941
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