Flying M Ranch receives Utah Leopold Conservation Award
Flying M Ranch of Hansel Valley, Utah has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Utah Leopold Conservation Award.
The award honors ranchers, farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working lands.
Flying M Ranch’s Owners Tim and Laurie Munns were presented with the award at the Utah Farm Bureau’s Annual Meeting.
The Munnses will receive $10,000 for being selected.
Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust will present Leopold Conservation Awards to landowners in 28 states this year. In Utah, the award is presented with Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes farmers and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement.
For decades, the Munnses have understood a healthy landscape is key to sustainable wildlife populations and a successful cattle ranch. They achieve this by employing conservation practices which benefit livestock, wildlife, crops, rangeland and water resources in northern Utah.
Over the years, the Munnses converted many acres of dry cropland to perennial vegetation to prevent erosion and build soil health while enhancing biodiversity. Other parts of Flying M Ranch once grazed by sheep had become dominated by broom snakeweed and rabbit brush.
Tim and Laurie worked with the Natural Resources Conservation Service to remove invasive brush species and reseed the range to provide improved livestock forage and wildlife habitat. Populations of sharp-tailed grouse, mourning dove, chukar and gray partridge have since flourished.
The Munnses have enrolled 3,000 acres of their ranch in Utah’s Walk-in Access program, allowing public access for upland game hunting. Likewise, biologists are welcomed to track migration patterns, survival rates and health of mule deer, elk and pronghorn.
The Munnses were early innovators in demonstrating the grazing benefits of forage kochia which was first introduced to the U.S. in 1960 as an ornamental plant. The Munnses found the semi-evergreen half shrub to be highly nutritious late season grazing plant for cattle while providing cover for wildlife and upland game birds.
Off of the ranch, the Munnses have served in a variety of leadership positions to advance conservation practices. Laurie has served as president of the Utah Cattlewomen’s Association and Tim is a long-time board member of the National Grazing Lands Coalition.
