Chet Robertson is a Range Rider in the Big Hole Valley on behalf of the Big Hole Watershed Committee. A Range Rider typically rides amongst the cattle, to keep an eye on the livestock, watch for medical issues, monitor when they need to move to new ground to prevent overgrazing, and to prevent conflict with predators. Whereas most Range Riders ride the cattle, Chet is unique in that he rides the predators, primarily wolves. As a tracker, he keeps a close connection with the area packs, to predict their movements, and to discourage their presence around grazing areas. Chet speaks about the tracker lens that he moves through the landscape with, his perspective on the social divisiveness of wolves, and his experience owning the Jackson Mercantile for the last 20 years, and the larger connections to what small towns are up against.
Links:
Big Hole Watershed Committee
This episode is part of the Life in the Land project, which is a series of films and podcasts produced by Stories for Action, which hears from folks that interact with the complexities of Montana's landscapes, speaking to the value of locally-led work and the holistic approaches needed for the health of communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Find out more about the project and watch the films at LifeintheLand.org
Stories for Action holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to create human connection and advance a thriving planet for all. StoriesforAction.org Follow along on our Instagram and Facebook: @StoriesforAction
The Upper Yellowstone River: Part 2 - Recreation and a Call for Community Reconnection
The Upper Yellowstone River: Part 1 - The Floods & Listening to the River
Safe Passages for Wildlife and People
The Montana Legislative Session from an Indigenous Perspective
Uplifting community & connection through story: Marissa Hackett
Generations Indigenous Ways: Helene Gaddie (Life in the Land series)
Messengers for Health in Crow Nation: Alma McCormick (Life in the Land series)
Daniel Kemmis: The Politics of Place (Life in the Land series)
Creating Community and Representation in Outdoor Recreation
Reframing Rural: Sarah Vogel, the Farmer’s Lawyer
Elk and the Devil’s Kitchen Management Team (Life in the Land series)
Gravel Pits and the Public Losing Their Voice
Old Salt Co-Op: Strengthening community and land stewardship through food (Life in the Land series)
Life in the Land: MT Fish, Wildlife, & Parks’ Mike Ruggles; agency partnerships in Central Montana
Life in the Land: Rancher & Community-led Conservation; Bud and Sheila Walsh
Life in the Land: Blackfeet Nation, Joe and Kathy Kipp, Stewardship as a rancher and community advocacy
Life in the Land: Bill Milton (Rancher), Collaborative Work & Resiliency, Central Montana Plains
Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley: Pedro Marques, Big Hole Watershed Committee
Life in the Land: Laura Nowlin; Rancher, Winnett ACES, Musselshell Watershed Coalition
Life in the Land: Big Hole Valley, USFWS Partners Program, Jim Magee
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