The LaSalle family members are part of the Chippewa Cree Tribe and the first Native American winners of this award.

The ranch, a cow/calf and yearling operation mostly located within the boundaries of the Rocky Boys Indian Reservation, has partnered with the Montana Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Chippewa Cree Tribe’s Natural Resource Department, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to implement conservation practices and a planned grazing system to protect environmentally sensitive areas on the ranch.

The family has installed more than seven miles of stock water pipelines, 25 wildlife-friendly watering facilities, and 10 miles of cross fences. A major focus has been Beaver Creek, which flows into Beaver Creek County Park, the largest county park in the U.S.
 
They’ve also worked to keep cattle off the sensitive riparian areas of the creek by developing eight off-stream water developments, utilizing solar energy to pump livestock water to higher elevations to take grazing pressure off riparian areas and allow even grazing use of the pastures, and installing 3.5 miles of riparian area protection fences.

These efforts have resulted in improved water quality in the headwaters of this watershed and a more pleasant environment for recreationalists.

“The whole LaSalle family is very proud to have been selected for this award,” said Leon LaSalle, president of the ranch. “We understand that if we take care of the land, it will take care of us. Our ancestors lived in harmony with their environment and we try to do the same.

Advertisement

"This award means a lot to me personally, not for myself, but for my father who has spent a lifetime improving the environment — not only for us, but for numerous other farmers and ranchers throughout north-central Montana.”

MSGA will work with the ranch to prepare its application for the regional and national award competition.  end mark

—From Montana Stockgrowers Association news release

PHOTO
Leon LaSalle walks by one of his solar powered livestock watering systems on his family's ranch in Montana. Photo courtesy of MSGA.