Our goal is to provide resources for women in the conservation community while also highlighting women in our network positively contributing to advancing environmental work.  We encourage women within the conservation sector to utilize training opportunities, certifications, and programs made available for women in the Dakotas. We hope to inspire girls and young women to explore environmental careers and activism. 

Rancher Name: Jeannie Franceus 
Audubon Certified Bird Friendly Ranch: Leone Valley Ranch 
Location: Wessington Springs, SD 
 
What conservation projects are you working on right now? 
I have sub-irrigated alfalfa that has been farmed or hayed for decades. For the past two years, I have grazed it rotationally, using cattle to build soil health. Grazing rather than haying gives nesting birds time to raise their young. Young birds can scoot out of the way of cattle much easier than they can a tractor/mower. Alfalfa weevils have been a problem for both of the past two years, but the alfalfa was able to recover, produce and thrive under managed grazing, without chemical intervention. There are thousands of beneficial insects for every harmful insect and surviving weevils without chemicals is a major victory for pollinators, as well as birds and other wildlife in the area. 

Rancher Name: Cindy Tolle 
Audubon Certified Bird Friendly Ranch: Evergreen Ranching 
Location: Custer, SD 
 
What’s been your biggest work-related conservation success? 
I spearheaded the reintroduction of native bison back to the grasslands of Northern Mexico in 2009. This was a joint venture between the National Park Service in Mexico and the National Park Service in the US. These bison were relocated from Wind Cave National Park to Rancho El Uno in Janos Chihuahua in the Janos grasslands biosphere preserve. Today, this ranch is managed by Cuenca Los Ojos AC and the bison population is thriving, right along with populations of grassland birds. 

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