Hero of the Week
Mark Rubbert
Prineville, Ore.
About 10 years ago, Mark Rubbert bought a run down cattle ranch adjacent to public hunting land, and kicked the cows off. "There wasn't a blade of grass on the place," says Rubbert. He started transforming the 5,000 acre ranch into a place where the area elk could winter. Restoring the land by having controlled burns, planting native trees and grasses, and controlling erosion on the properties roads and stream banks. "We've seen at least 10 times as many elk, quail
have come back, and our deer population is thriving." With the help of the National Resources Conservation Service, he has been able to bring cattle back to the ranch and maintain a healthy habitat for wintering elk.
Prineville, Ore.
About 10 years ago, Mark Rubbert bought a run down cattle ranch adjacent to public hunting land, and kicked the cows off. "There wasn't a blade of grass on the place," says Rubbert. He started transforming the 5,000 acre ranch into a place where the area elk could winter. Restoring the land by having controlled burns, planting native trees and grasses, and controlling erosion on the properties roads and stream banks. "We've seen at least 10 times as many elk, quail
have come back, and our deer population is thriving." With the help of the National Resources Conservation Service, he has been able to bring cattle back to the ranch and maintain a healthy habitat for wintering elk.Labels: Heroes of the Week
