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Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative in Oklahoma

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI)

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) is a national voluntary effort to enhance private grazing lands. Grazing lands are an important resource in Oklahoma that contribute to a healthy environment and economy. Oklahomans have formed a GLCI coalition, the Oklahoma Grazing Lands Conservation Association (OGLCA), consisting of landowners, conservation groups and public agencies.The mission of the OGLCA is to provide leadership in increasing the knowledge of stewards of private grazing lands and in securing technical assistance to help these stewards manage their property in an economically and ecologically sustainable manner.Oklahoma's 26 Million Acres of Private Grazing Lands Can Provide:

• Protection of highly erodible landClean water for urban and rural areas Wildlife habitatRecreational opportunities such as camping, fishing, hunting, photography and bicyclingForage to produce food and fiber products, including beef, lamb, milk, cheese, wool and leather
• Jobs in agriculture, food processing, ecotourism, and other related industries

Better Management Yields Increased BenefitsProperly managed private grazing lands enhance the economic and social stability of rural Oklahoma. Products from these grazing lands are sold throughout the state, nation, and world. Improved management on these lands results in cleaner water, more forage production, better wildlife habitat and an improved environment. The vegetation and soils on grazing lands are a great reservoir for organic carbon, and they help reduce atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide and reduce green house gas accumulation.
Grazing Lands AssistancePrivate grazing landowners and operators in Oklahoma are working to improve their natural resources. However, these producers need technical assistance and the access to the latest and best technology to make good grazing lands management decisions.The OGLCA is working with producers, agencies, organizations, and other groups in identifying and addressing the needs of the state's grazing lands. Some of the ways the Association is helping with these needs are:

• Ensuring that technical assistance and other resources are available on a voluntary basis to grazing land owners/managers.Emphasizing education and research in order to close the gap between the availability of knowledge and the application of this knowledge on grazing lands.Encouraging active communication and cooperation among producers, organizations, agencies and others.
• Increasing public awareness of the importance and benefits of properly managed grazing lands.

The following are supporters of GLCI and members of the OGLCA:Steering Committee MembersOklahoma Farm Bureau
Oklahoma Farmers Union
Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts Dairy Farmers of America
Oklahoma Grain and Stocker Producers
Society of Range Management
Oklahoma Forage and Grassland Council
Oklahoma Landowners and Tenants Assodafion Oklahoma Cattlewomen's Association
Oklahoma Sheep and Wool Commission lntertribal Ag CouncilEx-Officio Members/AdvisorsUSDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA-Farm Services Agency
USDA-Agriculture Research Service
Oklahoma Ag Experiment Station
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
For more information about GLCI and the OGLCA, contact:Steve Glasgow, Oklahoma GLCI Coordinator
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
1750 North Sioux, Suite 0
Claremore, OK 74017
918-341-3241For technical assistance on grazing land management, contact the NRCS office in your local USDA Service Center.

USDA NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation ServiceThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

*U.S. GPO 1999-769-549

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