Grazing benefits riparian health

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Published: December 22, 2021

Grazing benefits riparian health

Managed grazing in riparian areas pays dividends, says Cows and Fish, which has released results of an assessment of ranches along two headwater streams of the Bow and Oldman rivers.

The sites had already been assessed twice over the last two decades. Not only had the riparian health improved but is now above the provincial average, said the organization.

Riparian health refers to ecological functions such as slowing flood waters, filtering sediment, and maintaining stream banks. The assessments show “grazing can be compatible with good riparian health and improve riparian health over time,” it said.

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Details, an infographic on the assessments and two videos (which include participating ranchers) can be found at the ‘Projects’ page at cowsandfish.org.

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