Conservation in Action: America's Grassland Conference Tours the Nebraska Sandhills
- Ashley Garrelts
- Jul 28
- 4 min read
As part of this year’s America’s Grassland Conference, June 24-26, 2025, conservation professionals, ranchers, researchers, and agency partners came together for a one-of-a-kind experience: a bus tour through Nebraska’s iconic Sandhills. The tour, hosted by the Sandhills Task Force, offered participants a firsthand look at rancher-led conservation in one of the last remaining intact temperate grasslands in the World.
Three Ranches. One Landscape. Endless Lessons.
Our day began early as the bus rolled out of the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. First stop: Dailey Angus Ranch, where landowners Lemoyne and Rhonda Dailey shared their experience managing native grasslands in Thomas County. From there, we visited Paxton Ranch Inc., hosted by John and Joel Warren, and joined by Greg Wright and Natalie G’Schwind from the U.S. Forest Service. Our final stop was Santo Land & Cattle, where Paula and Brad Pokorny, alongside NRCS conservationist Leah Carson, took us out into the hills for a truly immersive experience.
At each ranch, we heard stories of conservation rooted in deep, local knowledge—efforts to combat Eastern red cedar encroachment, specifically through the use of prescribed fire, and to improve grazing and wildlife habitat by developing water sources and implementing cross-fencing. Endeavors highlighted aren’t just projects, they’re partnerships between landowners and agencies, fueled by shared goals of protecting the land while supporting the ranching way of life. Lemoyne commented that ranches staying within ranching families and seeing the older generation help the younger generation in the ranching community is what gives him hope for the future of the Sandhills. These shared efforts—anchored in tradition, trust, and a deep commitment to the land—are what will carry the Sandhills forward for generations to come.
Why the Sandhills Matter
The Nebraska Sandhills cover over 19,000 square miles of mixed-grass prairie and host more than 11 million acres of rangeland, 1 million acres of wetlands, and more than 700 native plant species. They also recharge the Ogallala Aquifer and support a thriving ranching economy, where cattle outnumber people by a ratio of 20 to 1! Joel, John, and their families depend on the cattle that can convert the grassland vegetation into a protein-rich food source for the world. “These cattle have to pay the bills. They have to be able to graze year-round,” commented the Landowners. The only way that can happen is if the grass is healthy, which is where conservation comes into play. The removal of the invasive Eastern Red Cedar through prescribed fire not only maintains the productivity of grassland vegetation but also can increase the quality of that forage resource.
This region also serves as a refuge for wildlife, including prairie chickens, trumpeter swans, and several species that are threatened or endangered. However, it's also a living, working landscape that relies on the stewardship of private landowners to remain intact. When ranchers partner with agencies to remove Eastern Red Cedar, it is a win-win for everyone involved. The agencies have funds tied to wildlife habitat improvement and can use them to provide landowners with assistance, enabling them to treat more acres with less input, and ensuring their hard-earned dollars are reinvested in their ranch and community.
Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice
One of the most powerful aspects of the tour was the open dialogue between landowners and attendees from across the country. Agency partners, university researchers, and NGO staff had the opportunity to see conservation challenges—and successes—through the eyes of those living them every day. Paula and Brad showcased how conservation has helped them improve the property that they lease and how livestock water development has given them the opportunity to increase their herd size. “The cows are our livelihood,” commented Paula, “but the grass is the foundation.”
Leah went on to explain that, due to partnerships between federal government agencies, such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and NGOs like the Sandhills Task Force, conservation projects can be effectively and efficiently designed to meet the needs of landowners. Together, these conversations highlighted a central theme of the tour: when ranchers, agencies, and conservation groups collaborate, they create lasting solutions that benefit both the land and the people who depend on it. By blending practical experience with scientific expertise and resource support, these partnerships ensure that the Sandhills remain not only ecologically vibrant but also economically viable for future generations.
Stewardship in Motion
As the bus rolled back to Kearney, the conversations continued—about lessons learned, ideas sparked, and the deep respect gained for the ranchers of the Sandhills. “This tour wasn’t just about showcasing conservation work,” said Sandhills Task Force Project Coordinator, Ashley Garrelts. “It was about building an understanding across sectors.” The Sandhills Task Force is proud to work alongside these dedicated landowners, and we’re grateful to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable day. Together, we’re proving that conservation and ranching don’t just coexist—they thrive together.