Stewardship, by definition, is an ethic that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources.

When applied to owning property and land in Routt County, it is critical that all landowners understand the importance of integrated land stewardship. As our community continues to grow, it is every landowners’ responsibility to care for their land, water and property while understanding the connectedness of their actions.

And in thinking about the broader context of our community, we have a legacy of stewarding the land for not only today but future generations. Utilizing strategies and techniques for an integrated systems approach to land stewardship allows landowners to adopt holistic practices. Learning about the ecosystem unique to Routt County is one way to honor our heritage of agricultural lands and sustain it into the future.

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Since 2004, Community Agriculture Alliance and CSU Routt County Extension have partnered to offer the Land Stewardship course in our community. The course is based on curriculum from the “Living on the Land-Stewardship for Small Acreages” courses produced by western states Cooperative Extensions.

This year’s course is an advanced 200 level class with more in-depth course content and discussions with local experts. The one-day intensive is themed around “Integrated Systems” systems approach to land management.

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The class is open to anyone in the community who wants to learn more with a focus on landowners. Additionally, real estate professionals who take the class can earn up to seven continuing education credits. 

Course topics include the following:

• A Sense of Place — historical perspective of the Yampa Valley

• Soil and Grass Stewardship including noxious weed management strategies

• Water Stewardship with speakers on water administration, water law, river health issues and irrigation practices

• Livestock Stewardship

• Wildfire Mitigation and Wildlife Stewardship

• Routt County Planning and Local Resources

• Systems Thinking for Land Management

The day-long course is being offered from 8:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at Legacy Ranch in Steamboat Springs.  For registration information and course fees, visit CommunityAgAlliance.org or contact Michele Meyer at 970-879-4370.

One of the common reasons people visit and often move to the Yampa Valley is its natural beauty. The scenic landscapes and open spaces are a critical part of the fabric of the community.

The fields of hay, grazing cattle or horses are idyllic and much loved. These working landscapes come from landowners and working agriculture and should not be taken for granted. It takes all of us to support and value both land and community stewardship.

Michele Meyer is the executive director of the Community Agriculture Alliance.