FWP AT WORK Scott Thompson, Wildlife Biologist, Malta

PRAIRIE MANAGER

SCOTT THOMPSON

“A BIG THING OUT HERE in Phillips County is managing large blocks of prairie to benefit sage-grouse and also pronghorn, mule deer, waterfowl, songbirds, and all the other native species that require large areas of sagebrush grasslands. The best way to accomplish that is by keeping cattle on the ground, like you see here in the background. What a lot of people who don’t live in this region may not understand is that managed grazing is far better for prairies than the alternative, like converting it to cropland or some other use. An important part of my job is working with landowners and land-management agencies on grazing and land-management practices that keep livestock operations viable so we can maintain intact prairies, and at the same time maintain a home for wildlife species.”