Retired local rancher initiates Land Stewardship Award

The Society for Range Management (SRM) recently established the Chuck Jarecki Rancher Land Stewardship Award, thanks to a generous donation by its namesake, retired Polson rancher Chuck Jarecki. The award was created to recognize ranch operators who demonstrate outstanding rangeland stewardship and contribute to the ranching profession through local, state and national service.

The Chuck Jarecki Rancher Land Stewardship Award is a cash award that will go to a recipient who is an active ranch owner or operator with a lengthy record of successful ranch management. Evaluation of award candidates will be generally based on evidence of rangeland stewardship practices, including effective grazing, soil, vegetation, noxious weed, and fish/wildlife habitat management, for example.

Special consideration will be given to those who participate in community activities, especially those in service and/or leadership roles to benefit natural resources. Membership in SRM is not a requirement for award eligibility.

Nominations for the award are now open, with a deadline of Nov. 1. The first recipient will be honored at the 2024 SRM Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nev., Jan. 28-31.

For information on nominating a candidate, go to rangelands.org/resources/awards/how-to-submit-a-nomination.