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The
Riparian Area Management Plan - Introduction
1.
To be successful, riparian grazing must be based on clearly
defined and measurable goals and incorporated into overall
ranch operations.
2. Riparian
grazing strategies are most successful when they are designed
for a specific area, are systematic, and, most of all, are
flexible.
3. Determining
the effectiveness of management actions and identifying
the need for modification are best done with a planned,
systematic monitoring program.
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In
this lesson, we'll introduce you to the key features of planning.
While our focus is on riparian areas, the same approach and the
same questions can be applied to planning the management of all
your ranch operations.
Indeed, you
can't really develop an effective riparian grazing strategy unless
you've gone through the planning process in terms of your overall
operation. Riparian management should never be addressed
without considering where and how it fits into your entire operation.
Any decision on riparian grazing should address the question, "How
will this affect the rest of my operation?"
Landowners tend
to be "do-ers." We feel most comfortable when we are physically
active. Consequently, most people do not spend enough time planning
in a structured way. Yet planning - figuring out where you are,
where you want to be, and how you're going to get there - is essential
to effective land management. It is only through planning that we
can consistently determine the right things to do and the best ways
to do them.
Answering
these four questions involves the following steps:
Questions |
Steps
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| 1.
Where do we want to be? |
a.
Set goals |
| 2.
Where are we now? |
b.
Inventory resources |
| 3.
How are we going to get there? |
c.
Identify and implement strategies and techniques |
| 4.
How will we know we're moving |
d.
Monitor the resources for change in the desired direction?
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Sometimes
this sequence is altered. For example, it might be useful
to determine what resources and limitations exist to make
a more realistic determination of goals and objectives. But
it is critical to know where you want to go and what assets
and limitations you have before trying to implement any approach.
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