GYC and partners meet in Montana's Ruby Valley to talk restoration, coexistence, and resiliency
Under a smokey sky in Montana’s Ruby Valley, I stood looking at a high voltage electric fence surrounding what looked like a big pile of ordinary dirt, roughly the size of four parking spaces. This pile was special though. It was a compost pile solely intended for livestock. Yes, livestock – or specifically their carcasses - can be composted, and this pile has hosted almost 100 cows and calves, three horses, and two sheep in its first season of operation. Within this seemingly innocuous pile of dirt, the carcasses break down into usable soil for revegetation within 120 days. When I heard we would be visiting a carcass composting site, I braced myself for the smell. But standing here I was instead struck by the absence of odor and the lack of carrion birds looking for something to scavenge.
The Ruby Valley Strategic Alliance and its guests at the carcass composting site in Montana’s Ruby Valley, around 90 miles northwest of Yellowstone National Park. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
So, why compost livestock? As unappealing as a rotting carcass may be to us, they are a powerful draw to bears and wolves. Composting them at a site like this reduces attractants on private property to scavenging predators. Thanks to the Ruby Valley Conservation District, ranchers in this area can easily use this resource to dispose of carcasses and reduce the risk of run-ins with bears and wolves on their property. Because the carcass composting operation is managed so well, it doesn’t attract wildlife either.
(L-R) Montana Department of Natural Resource’s Ann Schwend, The Nature Conservancy’s Nathan Korb, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition’s Director of Conservation Siva Sundaresan, Wild Montana’s Emily Cleveland, and rancher Rick Sandru listen to a presentation on range riding. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
This was just one of the projects we learned about on the annual Ruby Valley Strategic Alliance (RVSA) summer tour. This tour highlighted the great work members of the RVSA are involved in, including wildlife conflict reduction and co-existence, water conservation, stream restoration, and land conservation. But it’s not just projects that bring this group together though. Members of the RVSA hold a vision for the Ruby Valley based on shared values, and have worked hard to build, maintain, and enjoy the relationships within the group’s diverse membership.
Wild Montana’s Erin Clark and GYC’s Volgenau Foundation Wildlife Program Associate Blakeley Adkin catch up at the carcass compost site. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
The RVSA formed in 2016 with the shared vision to preserve working ranchlands and public lands within and around the Ruby Valley. The valley is a patchwork of public and private land consisting of working ranches, open space, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and national forest. The group’s members are committed to shared values that include maintaining working lands, enhancing the outdoor way of life, preserving the wilderness heritage of quiet country, ensuring high-quality recreation experiences, and building lasting relationships. In a time of so much growth and change, RVSA is committed to protecting what matters, now and for future generations. The beauty of the Ruby Valley is striking.
Several mountain ranges, including the Tobacco Roots, Snowcrest, Gravelly, and Ruby Mountains encompass the basin. The Ruby River and its tributaries meander north from headwaters in the Gravelly Mountains, where their waters make their way to the Jefferson River and eventually joining the Missouri.
GYC’s Executive Director Scott Christensen (white hat, black vest) and Senior Wildlife Conservation Associate Brooke Shifrin (purple jacket) in front of the carcass composting site. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
During our short five years together, RVSA members have accomplished many things, including writing grizzly management recommendations for the Governor’s Grizzly Bear Council, supporting the Ruby Valley Weed Cooperative, removing cold storage railcars from the valley, and supporting land and water conservation in the valley and across the state. Each year on the annual summer tour the RVSA membership highlights the latest projects and issues in front of the group. Which is how I found myself standing in front of a carcass compost pile, pleasantly surprised by the lack of odor, and reminiscing about all the great – if at times unglamorous – work this committed group of caring people has done together.
Brian Smith, a Wildlife Services non-lethal range rider discusses conflict reduction between livestock and predators. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
In addition to our visit to the compost site, we heard from Brian Smith, a Wildlife Services non-lethal range rider who talked about conflict reduction on public grazing allotments. Brian rides his horse in the Gravelly range talking to working cowboys, sheep herders, and producers about where wolves and grizzly bears are running into people and livestock. When a calf, cow, or sheep die, he investigates to figure out if a wolf or bear were the cause of death. He shared with the group the daunting task of riding thousands of acres and staying in communication with people in such a remote location. There are no easy answers but the effort to learn more about what is happening in the Gravelly Range is ever growing with new tools, partnerships, and willingness to try new strategies to keep livestock and bears alive.
The group visits the Ruby Habitat Foundation and learns about their history, mission, and current projects. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
One of the best examples of conservation in the Ruby Valley is the Ruby Habitat Foundation. Les Gilman and Dave Delisi shared the Foundation’s history and the mission, to find a balance between agriculture and wildlife and promote the value of the valley by practicing good land stewardship and giving the public the opportunity to recreate and educate themselves on their beautiful piece of property. One of their projects is cultivating an orchard to preserve a variety of heritage apples that used to grow in the valley.
Field trip attendees inspect a plum tree in the Ruby Habitat Foundation orchard. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
After a morning of learning and exploration, field trip attendees were treated to a fabulous lunch from local Sheridan café Shovel and Spoon. After lunch we heard from Ann Schwend from the Montana Department of Natural Resources. A longtime resident of the valley, Ann talked about floodplains and connectivity in groundwater to support a more resilient system through the lens of irrigation and climate change. Clayton Marxer from the Natural Recourses Conservation Service then talked about conservation easements and how to enter into an agreement and the benefits to protecting the Ruby Valley from development.
The day wraps up with presentations on water resources and conservation easements at the Ruby Habitat Foundation visitor center. (Photo GYC/Emmy Reed)
The Ruby Habitat Foundation also highlighted the impressive Clear Creek restoration project. Clear Creek runs through the Foundation’s property and was altered to flow straight through, removing the meandering curves of the stream. However, the absence of meanders created deep cuts and impacted the amount of water available to the land and for irrigation. The restoration project re-routed the flow into a more meandering path, creating proper irrigation practices and improved fish habitat.
We wrapped up the day with gratitude for all who were able to join the field trip, the guest speakers, and the hard work of the RVSA members. After a fulfilling day getting a firsthand look at so many great projects, I couldn’t feel prouder to be a part of this group. I know we are making a real and lasting impact on the Ruby Valley that will help protect this special place and its heritage for generations to come.
— Darcie Warden, Montana Conservation Coordinator
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 30+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.
