Page 11 - 2014 J. R. Simplot Company Sustainability Summary

Passionate about the Environment | 11
Sometimes
it’s as simple
as doing
what’s good
for the land.
This no-
nonsense
approach makes it possible for us
to continue utilizing the resource,
while providing benefits to both
the landscape and the species
that inhabit it, such as the
Greater sage grouse.
Protecting
sage grouse
—and their habitat
Research plays an important role in protecting habitat.
The University of Idaho, the BLM, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and other partners are in the process of
conducting a spring cattle grazing/sage grouse study.
Hens on both BLM land and Simplot property have been
collared and monitored throughout the nesting and brood
rearing season with excellent preliminary outcomes.
A major threat to sage grouse is wildfire. Simplot
employees created Rangeland Fire Protection
Associations to suppress wildland fire across Simplot’s
BLM allotments. This helps us to project forage for our
livestock, while at the same time, protecting habitat for all
species using the range, including sage grouse. Simplot
Land and Livestock employees, along with BLM personnel,
were honored in May, 2014 with the Pulaski Award, given
annually to the nation’s best wildland fire crew.
The Simplot Vernal Mine, in Vernal, Utah, also does its
part to restore and improve habitat in an area that’s highly
valued by the local community. Working with the Utah
Division of Wildlife Services (UDWS), we reclaimed an
important habitat area for Mule deer, Greater sage grouse,
elk and numerous other wildlife species. From establishing
vegetation by re-seeding old reclaimed areas to seeding
different varieties of sage brush on approximately
50 acres, Simplot is passionate about restoring land for
future generations.