Western Sustainability Exchange

Quick Stats

Location:

Livingston

Montana

Family owned and operated

Veteran owned

Regenerative Practices

Sells direct-to-consumer

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Returning to Our Regenerative Roots

Regenerative agriculture reawakens natural processes that have been interrupted. Ranchers can reengage nature’s harmony through innovative management strategies that build soil health, improve water cycling, and encourage biodiversity while enhancing economic resilience.

Growing the Regen Community from the Ground Up

Rooted in Montana and connected to the world, WSE has been supporting the stewardship of western ranchlands since 1994. By collaborating with ranchers, businesses, and organizations, WSE strives to balance the health of soil, water, climate, and wildlife habitats while enhancing ranch profitability through regenerative agriculture practices. By working with nature, we aim to leave a legacy that encompasses ecological health, economic prosperity, and community well-being.

Creating a Regenerative Legacy

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” — Aldo Leopold, Author and Conservationist

What does it mean to regenerate?

Regeneration is a journey–it is not something that happens overnight. But as ranchers shift toward a holistic approach of observing and adapting to their landscape, they are able to awaken natural processes that have been put to sleep from years of poor management and build nutrient-rich soil, encourage biodiversity, and promote vibrant ecosystems.

The Importance of Grazing Animals

Plants require grazing animals to remove existing leaves and stimulate growth. One of the ways that ranchers are able to integrate livestock and encourage biodiversity is through adaptive grazing. Concentrating animals in smaller pastures allows for longer rest periods. This allows plants to grow deeper, stronger root systems which ultimately sequester carbon underground.

The Benefits of Soil Carbon

When looking at the overall health of an ecosystem, soil carbon can positively impact a multitude of things including:

Water infiltration and storage
Soil temperature moderation
Plant and animal health
Carbon sequestration

Carbon Markets

WSE works with progressive-minded grazing managers to advance their pasture systems toward more frequent moves, longer rest/recovery periods, and improved rangeland health. All of this leads to healthier, more diverse grasslands that can more effectively sequester carbon in the soil. By assisting innovative land stewards, WSE's Montana Grasslands Carbon Initiative incentivizes and supports ranchers in building the necessary infrastructure to implement regenerative practices.

Northern Great Plains Regenerative Grazing Program

Since 2017, WSE has been working with Native, a carbon project developer, to create a carbon credit program that pays ranchers and other land stewards for sequestering carbon on grasslands through regenerative grazing practices. This program promotes innovative projects that expand water and fence infrastructure while enhancing landscape function and health, creating more resilient ranching operations, and strengthening rural communities.

Native HelpBuild™ Program

Native has created a Help Build™ program, which provides up-front capital and financial security to improve soil health before the income from soil carbon benefits has been realized.

Technical Assistance and Training

Direct consultation, infrastructure planning, and best practices for improving your grazing systems
Access to a Network of Ranchers
Hands-on experiences with practitioners who have successfully applied these systems on their ranches
Funding Opportunities
Accelerating improved practices through up front money for infrastructure and recurring payments

Rancher Network

The Rancher Network is a dedicated and committed community of peer-to-peer practitioners. This group is diverse in their experiences, bringing a wide range of backgrounds and expertise to the table. Despite their varied experiences, they are united in their core principles and shared values, working together to advance their collective goals and support one another in their endeavors.

We’re Better Together

Regenerative ranching goes against the grain, which can isolate its pioneers. WSE brings together innovative thinkers through our Rancher Network to share successes and mistakes, supporting each other and building a more resilient community and landscape!

Learn

Learn practical skills and techniques through workshops and field tours.

Grow

Improve ranch efficiency and effectiveness through practical planning tools.

Connect

Expand your network and benefit from timely, innovative discussions.

The Rancher Network & Land Health Dashboard™

Do you find yourself with no one to talk to about your regenerative journey? This network was built for YOU as a way to connect with like-minded people and securely access learning and planning tools.