VISION -- Protect all the threatened elements of rangeland ecosystems, including endangered species, soil, water, ranchers, agency managers, and the rangelands themselves.

MISSION -- Use our unique combination of expertise in conservation science and rangeland management, especially in California, to help clients succeed in their missions and cooperate with one another. We explore together to find solutions that meet the needs of diverse stakeholders.

We provide the following rangeland conservation services:

1. Comprehensive Rangeland Assessment and Management Planning

2. Rangeland Monitoring and Grazing Lease/Easement Supervision

3. Investigations for Legal Cases Involving Livestock and Rangelands

Our specialties include:

• Grazing Prescriptions
• Monitoring
• Grazing-Related Infrastructure
• Horse Facilities Manure Management

We excel at listening to your needs, then leading technical teams, using the best available science, to assess your circumstances and assist with planning, implementing, monitoring, and adapting to future changes.

Please request our Statement of Qualifications.

Photos by L. Ford--(left) typical effects of well-managed spring grazing by cattle on wildflowers and butterfly habitat, grazing on the right, excluded on the left (Santa Clara County, Calif.); (middle) an ideal stock pond for California red-legged frog habitat, partly fenced with grazing by cattle on the left, excluded on the right (Contra Costa County, Calif.); and (right) an ideal stock pond for California tiger salamander habitat, no exclusion of cattle grazing (Alameda County, Calif.).

Contact information:
Lawrence "Larry" D. Ford, Ph.D.
LD Ford Rangeland Conservation Science

5984 Plateau Drive, Felton, CA 95018-9253
Phone/Fax: 831.335.3959
Email: fordld "at" sbcglobal.net

NEWS--about Rangeland Management and Conservation... January 3, 2012:

1. California Rangeland Conservation Coalition (CRCC)--Annual Summit and Rangeland Science Symposium, UC Davis Freeborn Hall, January 19-20, 2012

This year’s event encompass 2-days! The first day, will have a very scientific feel, featuring recent rangeland research from throughout California. The Rangeland Science Symposium will focus on water quality and quantity on working rangelands, invasive weed management, ecosystem services and tradeoffs, rangeland policies, and more. The second day will follow the traditional CRCC Summit format with more scientific presentations, ranchers sharing their conservation stories, and successful collaborative conservation initiatives on public and private lands, along with networking opportunities.

Register this week for discounted rates… For more details, click here.

2. California Native Plant Society 2012 Conservation Conference, San Diego, January 10-14, 2012

This is a 5-day scientific conference for scientists and decision-makers in agencies, consulting firms, and environmental organizations; university professors and students, horticulturists, landscaping professionals, conservation advocates and grassroots activists, and the public. There will be over 200 talks on science, policy and conservation practices, 14 workshops, and numerous social and art events.

Ford will be giving a talk, "Conservation Grazing: Grazing Management Planning, Monitoring, and Plan Adaptation for Endangered Species Habitat in California Annual Grasslands," in the "Land Management and the Conservation of Plants and Communities" session, Saturday, January 14 at 1:00pm.

For more information, click here.