On the homestead we do our best to be as sustainable as possible. We recycle what we can, even our cigarette butts. We watch our water use. We examine our energy use. Even falling trees we keep in mind the wildlife we share our acreage with. If we fall a tree we look first to see what wildlife will be affected. We have dead trees that owls live in on the acres that still stand for them. We look at the ground around the tree for manure that might reflect the tree is used for shelter and if the tree is safe to stand, we don’t touch it. When we do fall trees we leave trees we know the ruminant herds would enjoy the bark and leaves before we collect wood. We try not to disturb what is not necessary on the land.

A portion of our land we gave to wildlife to live. We have elk and deer herds, black bear, cougars, bob cats and more so we are armed when we hike the acreage to have a look and see who took residence. We have no trespassing signs posted and without permission no one is allowed on the property other than First Responder’s when necessary. We do respect First Responder’s on our acreages. We did have one time someone decided to trespass on the acreage and must’ve met the elk bull who is highly territorial on the acreage because the trespasser took off out of the acres screaming.  We are working with Fish an Wildlife on the acreages for a certification we are in the process of obtaining for a mammal needing some extra attention. I will tell you more about that after the process is completed.

We did have our acreages certified for Wildlife Habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. Signs will be posted on properties to reflect it is Wildlife Habitat and that is their home. We share with wildlife apples left on the tree, rodents culled without poison use, grass to graze, berries to eat and shelter left for them. We try to be mindful of our harvesting as conservationists and we watch their numbers.

Before doing arson (again) or dumping litter (again) around the homestead, if you cannot consider us, please at least consider wildlife effected. Thank you.