Conservation is key for so many ranchers. The California Rangeland Trust wants to help spotlight that fact — and to show that rangelands can help heal our planet — with its short film titled, “A Common Ground.”
The film, at just over 7 minutes in length, was done by world-renowned producer Chris Malloy. It features rancher conservationists who are doing groundbreaking work to protect California’s open spaces through restorative grazing, carbon storage, renewable energy, wildfire prevention, and other practices.
“Rangelands are critical habitat for clean air and water, plants, and wildlife,” said Nita Vail, California Rangeland Trust CEO. “Conserving working rangelands is not just for ranchers, it’s not just for people in rural communities. It’s for all of us in California. It’s bigger than all of us. This is about healing our planet.”
In addition to his work in film and global ad campaigns, Mallow is a Santa Barbara rancher. “I have sought to tell ranchers’ stories demonstrating how this historic stewardship is still essential to our shared future,” Malloy said. “California Rangeland Trust communicates the harmony between environmental goals and the value of working landscapes. I am proud to stand beside them in sharing how ranchers serve as exemplary stewards of California’s natural resources.”
Private rangeland accounts for about 62 percent of California’s undeveloped land. In addition, 67 percent of threatened or endangered species spend part of their lives on open ranchland. Over 85 percent of California’s fresh water runs over ranches.
