What Role Can Data Play in Regenerative Ranching?

This workshop invites participants into an open conversation about the role of data in regenerative ranching – what’s working, what isn’t, and why. Drawing on insights from California ranchers involved in a collaborative effort to learn from their extensive ecological monitoring and management data, we will explore how data has (and hasn’t) helped land stewards regenerate their landscapes. We’ll share findings from this pilot group that is attempting to find and build interoperable tools to generate actionable insights and clarify tradeoffs. Together, we’ll examine questions like: Which data streams actually inform management decisions? When does data help prioritize regenerative efforts, and when does it just add noise? Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to collect, interpret, and apply ecological data in ways that are meaningful, scalable, and grounded in the lived experience of land management.

This presentation will be hosted by Shae Lynn Watt (TomKat Ranch Education Foundation and Bookcliff Consulting) and Byron Palmer (Sonoma Mountain Institute).

Questions? Contact Kathy Webster at kathy@tomkatranch.org.

Speakers:
Shae Lynn Watt is a regenerative agriculture consultant and data analyst at Bookcliff Consulting. Her work centers on the importance of using and communicating data from complex systems in practical ways that inform and empower people trying to do good. Shae Lynn was co-owner of Early Bird Ranch, a family-owned regenerative livestock ranch and served as the lead of the Data Team for Mesa County Public Health.

Byron Palmer is the Grassland Manager at Sonoma Mountain Institute (SMI) and the CEO of Grounded Land and Livestock. Byron has devoted years to regeneratively managing land and with a vision of broad acre grassland restoration using herbivores. At SMI Byron has helped improve vegetation biodiversity more than 300% on their home ranch and expand their land base over 800%.