Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Capital press. (Salem, OR) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 13, 2018)
2 CapitalPress.com July 13, 2018 People & Places Helping ranchers deal with wolves Jay Shepherd offers ranchers help with influx of wolves in NE Washington Western Innovator By MATTHEW WEAVER Capital Press CHEWELAH, Wash. — When he worked for the state Department of Fish and Wild- life, trying to keep the peace be- tween ranchers and the wolves that attacked their livestock would keep Jay Shepherd up at night. “It’s a relatively top-down agency,” he said. “Thinking about it from the ground up was frustrating and difficult. ... If you care about it, it drives you nuts.” Shepherd worked for the department as a wildlife biolo- gist for nearly 10 years. Now, he runs the nonprofit Northeast Washington Wolf-Cattle Col- laborative for ranchers, which is in its first season. He is also wolf program lead for the envi- ronmental group Conservation Northwest, managing its range rider program. The collaborative provides ranchers with an experienced human presence — on horses, ATVs, in vehicles or on foot — on the region’s national forest grazing allotments. Shepherd said he’s trying to get away from the term “range riders,” but nobody likes his suggested alternative: Herd monitors. He helped spearhead the collaborative’s formation in May 2017 after deciding wolf-livestock conflicts weren’t being effectively addressed or resolved. The group modeled itself after similar collabora- tives in Montana. The collaborative doesn’t have firm membership num- bers, Shepherd said, but is open to ranchers and others in the northeastern counties of Wash- ington. “I’ve had people ask, ‘How do I become a member?’ and it’s like, ‘Well, I think you just did,’ ” Shepherd said. High-risk areas The collaborative serves ranchers in relatively high-risk wolf areas. Ranchers must ac- Jay Shepherd Occupation: Administra- tor, Northeast Washington Wolf-Cattle Collaborative Age: 57 Hometown: Walla Walla, Wash. Capital Press Established 1928 Board of Directors Mike Forrester Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Susan Rana Harrison Forrester Mike Omeg Cory Bollinger Jeff Rogers Corporate Officers Heidi Wright Chief Operating Officer Rick Hansen Chief Financial Officer Capital Press Managers Joe Beach ..................Editor & Publisher Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Jessica Boone ........ Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Current location: Chewelah, Wash. Photos by NE Washington Wolf-Cattle Collaborative Jay Shepherd, right, works with ranchers and range riders to minimize the number of wolf attacks on northeast Washington livestock. cept some management tactics used by similar Montana orga- nizations, including constantly moving and monitoring their herds. One theory says the cattle are much calmer when they know the rest of the herd is around, Shepherd said. That increases the potential that the animals won’t be spooked if they see a wolf. “It’s that fleeing, that run- ning, that stimulates the at- tack,” Shepherd said. He wonders if such methods would work in northeast Wash- ington, where the landscape is rugged and steep. Montana ex- perts looked at the region and said they weren’t certain how the model would work, but they were willing to stay in touch, he said. The state offers help, but Shepherd wants to know why ranchers have to “absorb the burden of wolf recovery.” That reduces the chances of accep- tance or tolerance for wolves, creating a backlash against the animals that others want to pro- tect, he said. Ranchers need to take own- ership of the wolf issue to the extent they can, Shepherd said. They can’t legally kill a wolf where it is protected, but they can take steps to improve herd monitoring. If they can’t, then learning that is an important step, too. Education: Ph.D. in natural resources, University of Idaho; master’s degree in wildlife biology at University of Montana Entire contents copyright © 2018 EO Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. Family: Married Website: https://www. newwcc.org/ One of the tactics range riders from the Northeast Washington Wolf-Cattle Collaborative use is keeping the cattle moving. Looking for answers But ranchers need to show they are looking for the an- swer, he said. “If you’re going to demand better use of public lands and less killing of wolves, maybe you should help pay for it,” he said. “The ranching commu- nity here can’t afford it.” Shepherd, whose grandfa- ther and father were ranchers, said he tries to approach live- stock conflicts in a straight- forward, practical manner. The collaborative works to help ranchers with wolves, within the law and outside le- thal removal, he said. The intent is “to let them feel like they’re part of the process,” he said. The collaborative can also take ranchers’ concerns to the state and communities, he said. The organization also wants to offer caches of equipment for calving or the summer grazing season, since it’s too small to re- spond to every single rancher in need. Ranchers react Danville, Wash., rancher Jake Nelson uses Shepherd’s collaborative to monitor his 350 cattle and deter wolves. Nelson said he was getting pictures of wolves on his game cameras and seeing wolf sign before bringing on Shepherd’s team, but hasn’t seen much activity since. “They’re a good, honest bunch of guys, I think,” he said. “(Shepherd) has been 100 percent honest with me from Day One. I ask him something, he tells me the truth.” Barstow, Wash., rancher Steve Sanders said he fol- lowed Shepherd after work- ing with him through WDFW. “Jay tries to be real polit- ical, he’s almost too nice of a guy sometimes,” Sanders said. “He really has a desire to try to help.” Sanders said he’s been dealing with wolves for sev- eral years, and had cows killed in 2014 and 2015. He uses the collaborative’s range riders during calving season and to put up flag-like fladry on fences, fencing and fox lights to protect his 100 cat- tle. “When you have a dep- redation, we need somebody to come in, help clean up the mess and make you at least feel better,” Sanders said. Shepherd hopes the col- laborative can reduce stress and costs for ranching fami- lies, and reduce the volatility of the situation. “We’re always going to have wolves put on cattle, but if we can get it where people are working together (and) owning the issue and the losses are low, then ... they can buy a new pickup or send a kid to college instead of having to pay for someone else’s wildlife,” he said. “This isn’t like a hurricane or tornado coming. It’s doable.” Capital Press (ISSN 0740-3704) is published weekly by EO Media Group, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem OR 97301. Periodicals postage paid at Portland, OR, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Capital Press, P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048. To Reach Us Circulation ......................... 800-882-6789 Email ........ Circulation@capitalpress.com Main line ........................... 503-364-4431 Fax ................................... 503-370-4383 Advertising Fax ................ 503-364-2692 News Staff Idaho Carol Ryan Dumas .......... 208-860-3898 Boise Brad Carlson .................... 208-914-8264 Cent. Washington Dan Wheat ........................ 509-699-9099 W. Washington Don Jenkins ...................... 360-722-6975 E Washington Matthew Weaver .............. 509-688-9923 Oregon George Plaven ................. 406-560-1655 Mateusz Perkowski .......... 800-882-6789 Graphic artist Alan Kenaga ..................... 800-882-6789 To Place Classified Ads Ad fax .............................. 503-364-2692 or ...................................... 503-370-4383 Telephone (toll free) .......... 800-882-6789 Online ......www.capitalpress.com/classifieds Subscriptions Snohomish County family wins tree farm award Fish habitat restored Capital Press The New family, owner of the Nourse Tree Farm in Snohomish County, has been named the 2018 Tree Farmer of the Year in Washington. The Washington Tree Farm Program presented the award at the Washington Farm For- estry Association’s annual meeting. The New family has a 160- acre tree farm and has owned the land for 75 years. The family has managed the forest for seven years and received American Tree Farm System certification last year, accord- ing to a press release. “To be honest, I was quite surprised to hear that I was receiving the Tree Farmer of Washington Tree Farm Program The New family, owners of the Nourse Tree Farm in Snohomish County, received the 2018 Tree Farmer of the Year award from the Washington Tree Farm Program. From left to right are Jenn Parker, Tyler Parker, Dave New, Dar New, Jeff Parker and Alex Parker. the Year award,” David New said in a written statement. “I thought there were people who have been doing this a lot lon- ger than I have.” New credited Washington State University Forestry Ex- tension and the Washington Farm Forestry Association with helping the family devel- op a plan and meet stewardship goals. In partnership with the Sno- homish Conservation District, the New family restored more than 30 acres of fish habitat by planting conifers and redi- recting a stream. One of the side channels had drained into a grass field, causing spawning salmon to die. “One of our many goals is restoring fish habitat,” said Ryan Williams, program man- ager at the conservation district. Because of the restoration, the Nourse Tree Farm has been an outdoor classroom for school groups and WSU Ex- tension classes. The New fam- ily also donates firewood to a church that distributes it. “Their management ap- proach, which incorporates sustainable harvests, wildlife enhancement and recreation, fulfills the spirit of being an American Tree Farm System certified tree farmer,” said Jen- ny Koth, co-chairwoman of the Washington Tree Farm Pro- gram. The Nourse Tree Farm will have an open house and a tour July 21. More details are avail- able online at watreefarm.org/ events. The Washington Tree Farm Program certifies more than 40,000 acres under the Amer- ican Tree Farm System, a pro- gram of the American Forest Foundation. Each state in the system picks a tree farmer of the year. A national winner will be named at the foundation’s annual leadership conference next spring. Calendar To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 or emailed to newsroom@ capitalpress.com. Write “Calendar” in the subject line. Wednesday, July 18 Through July 29 Forestry Shortcourse. 9 a.m.- noon. Sandpoint Orchard, 10881 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho. This is the fifth session of a six-ses- sion course on forest ecology, sil- viculture, wildlife habitat, and other forestry topics. Cost: $38 Email: cschnepf@uidaho.edu California State Fair. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. California Expo Center, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, Calif. California’s state fair brings out the best is the state’s agriculture. Web- site: http://www.castatefair.org Monday, July 16 Growing Organic Peaches. 5-7 p.m. Cloud Mountain Farm Cen- ter, 6906 Goodwin Road, Everson, Wash. Participants will be able to ask questions and discuss the advantag- es of growing peaches, including the economics and potential for profits. Website: https://bit.ly/2N5mqOf Blueberry Field Day. 1-5 p.m. OSU North Willamette Research and Extension Center, 15210 NE Miley Road, Aurora, Ore. This is the annual field day for commercial and backyard growers. Sponsored by Oregon State University. Web- site: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ NWREC/ Bee Workshop. 6:30-8 p.m. OSU Extension Office, 505 N. Co- lumbia River Highway, St. Helens, Ore. Retired East Coast bee spe- cialist Dewey Caron will talk about the 2017 honeybee survey on the effects of various beekeeping prac- tices on colony survival. He will also speak on “Darwinian Beekeeping” for those who want to create locally adapted survivor bees. Cost: Free Friday, July 20 Agriculture Law Seminar 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Oxford Hotel, 10 NW Minne- sota Ave., Bend, Ore. This program will examine key legal issues affect- ing Oregon agriculture including issues related to the environment, water, land use, employment, and bankruptcy. The program will in- clude a timely recap of the 2018 leg- islative session, and a look ahead to the 2019 legislative session. There will be presentations from the Ore- gon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Farm Bureau Federation. Website: https://bit.ly/2L8dE0D Wednesday, July 25 Forestry Shortcourse. 9 a.m.- noon. Sandpoint Orchard, 10881 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho. This is the last session of a six-session course. Cost: $38 Email: cschnepf@ uidaho.edu Thursday, July 26 Fresno Food Expo. 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Fresno Convention & Enter- tainment Center, 848 M. St., Fres- no, Calif. The Fresno Food Expo is a food industry trade event that exclusively showcases California’s biggest brands and hottest new food trends, featuring food and beverage products from every category. Web- site: www.FresnoFoodExpo.com Friday, July 27 Forest Insect and Disease Field Day. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Road, Sandpoint, Idaho. The focus will be on the insects and diseases that can kill northern Idaho trees. Cost: $15. Website: www.uidaho.edu/extension/ forestry Saturday-Sunday July 28-29, Aug. 4-5 The Great Oregon Steam-Up. 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Powerland Heritage Park, 3995 Brooklake Road NE, Brooks, Ore. Foreign and garden tractors are featured in this year’s event, which also includes a steam-powered saw- mill and threshing and hundreds of displays and museums. The Parade of Power is each day at 1:30 p.m. Cost: $12. Website: http://antiquepow- erland.com/ Sunday, Aug. 5 Raised Country Music Festival. 1-6 p.m. Antelope Church Lawn, Antelope, Ore. Steve and RonaLee Campbell, a Chuckwagon Barbe- cue by Paradise Rose Ranch, a petting zoo and face painting; the Mud Springs Gospel Band and Joni Harms are featured. Cost: Free Tuesday, Aug. 7 Rice Production Workshop. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Lundberg Family Farms, 5311 Midway, Richvale, Ca- lif. Topics include rice growth, water management, tillage, variety selec- tion, fertility and weeds. Enrollment is limited to 75 people. Cost: $100. Website: http://ucanr.edu/rice2018 Mail rates paid in advance Easy Pay U.S. $3.75/month (direct with- drawal from bank or credit card account) 1 year U.S. ...................................$49.99 2 years U.S. .................................$89.99 1 year Canada .................................$275 1 year other countries ......... call for quote 1 year Internet only .......................$49.99 1 year 4-H, FFA students and teachers ....$30 9 months 4-H, FFA students & teachers .....$25 Visa and Mastercard accepted To get information published Mailing address: Capital Press P.O. Box 2048 Salem, OR 97308-2048 News: Contact the main office or news staff member closest to you, send the in- formation to newsroom@capitalpress.com or mail it to “Newsroom,” c/o Capital Press. Include a contact telephone number. Letters to the Editor: Send your comments on agriculture-related public issues to opinions@capitalpress.com, or mail your letter to “Opinion,” c/o Capital Press. Letters should be limited to 300 words. Deadline: Noon Monday. Capital Press ag media www.capitalpress.com www.FarmSeller.com marketplace.capitalpress.com www.facebook.com/capitalpress www.facebook.com/farmseller twitter.com/capitalpress www.youtube.com/capitalpressvideo Index Markets ............................... 10 Opinion .................................. 6 Correction policy Accuracy is important to Capital Press staff and to our readers. If you see a misstatement, omission or factual error in a headline, story or photo caption, please call the Capital Press news department at 503-364-4431, or send email to newsroom@capitalpress.com. We want to publish corrections to set the record straight.
