Species at risk habitat conservation on private land: the perspective of cattle ranchers

Cattle ranchers are challenged to meet the needs of a growing population in an environmentally sustainable manner while also contributing to biodiversity conservation on rangelands. Incentive programs have been developed to encourage voluntary stewardship of endangered species on privately owned and managed lands. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding the efficacy of such programs from the perspective of the rancher. We interviewed cattle ranchers participating in a national program that supported voluntary stewardship initiatives to support the recovery of species at risk in southwest Saskatchewan, Canada. Out of 23 ranchers interviewed, 21 identified as having ranched their entire lives. Their insights provide expert opinion on species at risk conservation on privately managed agricultural lands. The data found that 100% of the interviewed ranchers were satisfied with the program they were involved in and felt that being in the program was beneficial to them. Through participation in this voluntary stewardship program, these ranchers actively conserved habitat for species at risk and were rewarded for their stewardship. Other significant findings were the value of having a local delivery agency for stewardship programs, and the need to educate the general public about the species at risk habitat stewardship that cattle ranchers provide. We conclude with eight recommendations for national program consideration to contribute to more effective and robust policy development regarding species at risk conservation on agricultural lands.