Maggie Creek Ranch and the Searle family of Elko, Nevada, were recognized at the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention as the national winners of the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award, created to recognize ranchers for their commitment to outstanding land management practices which create healthy, balanced ecosystems.
The ranch had worked in collaboration with several federal agencies and private partners like Trout Unlimited to improve habitat for wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, including the installation of irrigation diversions and a fish passage to protect the Lahontan cutthroat trout. Maggie Creek Ranch has remained an ecosystem to support fish, wildlife and cattle in a sustainable manner which is part of a family tradition that started nearly 40 years ago with Sally Searle and her late husband, Bill.
“One of the things we’re most proud of is that we’ve had those collaborative projects with federal agencies and private partners,” said Jon Griggs, Branch Manager for Maggie Creek Ranch, at an interview during the 2016 Convention. “At least a third of our grazing land is BLM permit, and we really enjoy good relationships with the good people that we deal with. It’s so important to build those relationships and to showcase them when you can. We have common goals and we’ve figured out how to get things done, and that’s probably the biggest reason why we’re here today.”
Listen to Jamie’s full interview with Jon here:
Interview with Jon Griggs, Maggie Creek Ranch
Photos from the Convention: 2016 2016 Cattle Industry Convention Photo Album
