Heidi Redd is a renowned rancher, conservationist, author, and member of the National Cowgirl Museum’s Hall of Fame. Sue Bellagamba serves as Canyonlands Regional Director at the Nature Conservancy, and for more than thirty years, she has worked to protect the lands and waters of southeastern Utah.
Heidi and TNC have been partners since 1997 when Heidi sold her family’s Utah ranch– The Dugout Ranch– to the Nature Conservancy in a historic conservation deal that protected the property from impending development. The Dugout Ranch is located at the gateway to Canyonlands National Park and sits within the boundaries of what is now Bears Ears National Monument– a fragile and arid landscape that has faced various development and environmental threats for many decades.
Heidi and Sue have worked together in many capacities over the years, with one of their most notable achievements being the creation of The Canyonlands Research Center (“CRC”), which is headquartered at the Dugout Ranch. The CRC was founded in 2010, and its mission is to “promote a sustainable future on the Colorado Plateau for people and nature through research, inspiration, and demonstration of evidence-based solutions to solve some of our most pressing ecological, social, and economic issues.”
Heidi is also the author of the excellent new book titled A Cowgirl’s Conservation Journey: Stories from the Dugout Ranch. The book details her fascinating and adventurous life, with tales ranging from her youth (which included lots of rock climbing and skydiving), to her early years on the Dugout Ranch, all the way up to some recent behind-the-scenes stories from the designation of Bears Ears as a National Monument. If you’re a fan of history, adventure, ranching, conservation, and purpose-driven people, I know you’ll enjoy the book.
We covered a lot in the episode, including Heidi’s upbringing, her first visit to the Dugout Ranch, and when she knew that she would devote her life to stewarding the Dugout’s spectacular landscapes. Sue provides some excellent context around conservation in the American Southwest, and why drylands are such a critical ecosystem and focus of TNC’s efforts. We discuss how TNC initially built trust with Heidi back in the 1990s, the creation of The Canyonlands Research Center, new insights Heidi gleaned from writing her book, and much more. Be sure to visit the episode notes for links to everything we discuss, including Heidi’s book.
A huge thanks to Heidi and Sue for taking the time to chat with me and share their wisdom from so many decades of conversation work in such a special part of the country. Enjoy!
Photos courtesy of The Nature Conservancy, header photo and Heidi’s headshot © Ted Wood
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EPISODE PARTNER:
This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive.
On the last Tuesday of every month throughout 2024, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy’s leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West and beyond. You can access all of the episodes here.
To learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s impactful work in the West and around the world, visit www.nature.org
RESOURCES:
Topics Discussed:
- 4:00 – Heidi’s upbringing
- 7:15 – Heidi describes the Dugout Ranch
- 13:30 – When Heidi knew she wanted to dedicate her life to the Dugout Ranch and surrounding area
- 16:00 – When Heidi took the reins of the Dugout
- 20:45 – When Heidi became interested in working with TNC
- 24:30 – Why Heidi trusted TNC
- 26:45 – Sue explains why TNC wanted to get involved with the Dugout Ranch and what their plan was once they purchased it
- 30:15 – Sue explains the mission and purpose of the Canyonlands Research Center
- 32:15 – When climate change got on Heidi’s radar
- 37:45 – How Heidi discusses climate change, given our political climate
- 41:30 – Sue explains why drylands are so important
- 44:00 – Heidi and Sue explain the impact of the political battle surrounding Bears Ears on their work
- 50:30 – Heidi discusses whether or not writing her book helped her come to new conclusions
- 54:00 – Heidi’s hopes for her family
- 55:30 – Heidi and Sue’s book recommendations
- 59:45 – Parting words of wisdom
Information Referenced:
- A Cowgirl’s Conservation Journey by Heidi Redd
- The Dugout Ranch
- Heidi’s Cowgirl Hall of Fame induction video
- Canyonlands Research Center
- Cisco (fish)
- Canyonlands Field Institute
- Abajo Mountains UT
- Senator Rob Bishop
- Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell
- Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
- Book of the Hopi by Frank Waters
- Blow Sand in His Soul: Bates Wilson, the Heart of Canyonlands by Jen Jackson Quintano
- Beyond the Hundredth Meridian by Wallace Stegner
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