Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Reno, Nevada » Great Basin Rangelands Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #392542
Research Project: Management and Restoration of Rangeland Ecosystems

Location: Great Basin Rangelands Research

Title: Nevada rangeland economics 101

Author
item Harmon, Daniel - Dan

Submitted to: The Progressive Rancher
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/22/2022
Publication Date: 4/11/2022
Citation: Harmon, D.N. 2022. Nevada rangeland economics 101. The Progressive Rancher. 22(4):16-18.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rangeland economics play a critical role in the infrastructure of Nevada’s local communities. From the natural resources that livestock and wildlife rely on, to the business of conservation, to mining operations, rangelands are an industry unto themselves. The Nevada section Society for Range Management (SRM) held its’ annual winter meeting in January 2022 which included 6 professional presenters all focusing on different aspects of the business of rangeland resources. Dr. Tom Harris an economist at the University Nevada, Reno (UNR) presented an overview of the unique opportunities and challenges a state like Nevada has with so much public land. Mary Jo Foley-Birrenkott (SRM) presented a new program that focuses on connecting researchers, producers and land mangers called, the Good Grazing Makes Cents (GGMC) program. Garth Boyd, with the Context Network, provided an in-depth overview of carbon markets. Carbon credits are a new emerging market and Garth gave some insights to rangeland opportunities. Doug Busselman, (Nevada Farm Bureau), provided an updated overview of Nevada’s agriculture, including challenges he sees for the future. Kelly McGowen, with the Nevada Sagebrush Ecosystem Team, presented an overview of the Nevada Conservation Credit System (CCS). Since 2019 Nevada has required that all anthropogenic disturbances (debits) require mitigation (purchase of credits). That has led to a dramatic increase in credit needs and Kelly explained how new credit opportunities including the possibility of public land credits could meet those demands. Dr. Michael Taylor (UNR) presented an in-depth study he was part of on the economics of hunting expenditures in Nevada. Every direct and indirect value was measured with a summary of over 80 million dollars spent on hunting annually. Jack Alexander with Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc. wrapped up the day with some valuable insights into his 35 years in rangeland consulting.