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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- The Bureau of Land Management and the Public Lands Council met today for a series of events promoting their shared stewardship activities throughout the West.  The events took place at the annual fall meeting of the PLC, which represents more than 22,000 cattle and sheep producers who hold public lands grazing permits.

The 2017 Rangeland Stewardship Awards kicked off the event.  They were presented to a rancher in Utah, the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, and an Elko, Nev., county team for their dedication to the health and productivity of public rangelands under BLM management.

"This is a wonderful example of how we can promote conservation through shared stewardship, which is one the BLM’s priorities," said BLM Acting Deputy Director John Ruhs, who officiated at the awards ceremony. "These awards recognize the meaningful contributions made by these public lands stewards.  Their work has improved the nation’s Western public rangelands to the benefit of all Americans. Today, we are proud to honor these folks for their commitment to ensuring healthy public lands for the benefit of current and future generations."

After the awards ceremony, Ruhs signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the PLC that establishes an updated framework for cooperative monitoring and the exchange of information on those rangelands administered by the BLM.  Its goal is to create opportunities for coordination of rangeland stewardship through joint, cooperative monitoring at the pasture, allotment, watershed or landscape levels.

The awards were presented by Joe Tague, chief of the BLM’s division of forest, rangeland, riparian, and plant conservation.

• The Rangeland Stewardship - Permittee Award was presented to Bill Kennedy of the Duck Creek Allotment, a combination of federal, private, and state land located southeast of Bear Lake, Utah.  The BLM recognized Mr. Kennedy as a model grazing permittee and a leader in livestock management who regularly advocates for proper grazing management on public lands.
   
• The Rangeland Stewardship - Collaborative Team Award was presented to the Colorado Cattleman's Association headquartered in Arvada, Colo. Founded in 1867, the CCA serves as the principal voice and advocate for Colorado beef production.  The BLM recognizes all of their many contributions to rangeland stewardship, including the promotion of multiple use and sustainable land management; offering productive settings for mediation services; and supporting Sagebrush Steppe management objectives.
   
• The Sagebrush Steppe - Collaborative Team Award was presented to the Stewardship Alliance of Northeastern Elko County, a group of landowners, public land users and resource agency specialists who work to conserve and enhance healthy and resilient sagebrush ecosystems while supporting multiple use management of public lands.  The BLM recognized them for the development of an ecosystem conservation plan designed to protect Greater Sage-grouse and Sagebrush Steppe habitats.

The PLC works in active partnership with the BLM, the National Forest Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and local land management offices to provide food and other resources for the nation.