The national cattlemens foundation and the U.S. Fish and wildlife via the partners of fish and wildlife program are working together to seek out cattle producers that are outstanding stewards of the…

The national cattlemens foundation and the U.S. Fish and wildlife via the partners of fish and wildlife program are working together to seek out cattle producers that are outstanding stewards of the land and are working to develop overall improvements to their operation that also benefit high priority fish and wildlife species and recognize them through the national cattlemens beef association environmental stewardship award program (esap). This funding partnership will help financially support the esap of the national cattlemens beef association and facilitate the development of conservation practices on private lands to enhance grass quality and quantity through grazing management and invasive species control. Additional benefits will be provided in the form of improved water quality and helping to maintain viable populations of high priority fish and wildlife species. This cooperative partnership will allow the sharing of innovative and new ideas that can then be replicated across the country maximizing the positive benefits to both the cattle industry and the conservation of fish and wildlife. Outreach will be conducted specifically to highlight the environmental stewardship practices on private land. Specific outreach efforts will be conducted to recognize all the families who have received the environmental stewardship award and to encourage new ranch families to conduct specific conservation actions on their private land that support fish and wildlife.