Grazing

Grazing continues a 100+ history of ranching in the Valles Caldera area, but must be managed to protect the purposes and values of Valles Caldera National Preserve established by its enabling legislation.

 

Excerpt from Enabling Legislation:

Public Law 113-291, Sec. 3043

"(6) Grazing.--The Secretary shall allow the grazing of livestock within the Preserve to continue--(A) at levels and locations determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, consistent with this section; and (B) to the extent the use furthers scientific research or interpretation of the ranching history of the Preserve."

 

Interested livestock owners and associations should read information on these pages.

• Grazing (current page)
• Livestock Operations Plan 
  • (downloadable version)
• Special Use Permit Conditions 
  • (downloadable version)
• Application

 

Valles Caldera National Preserve Livestock Program To Resume Summer 2023

According to historical data, the grasslands within Valles Caldera National Preserve had a historical fire return interval of 3-12 years. Therefore, to mimic natural fire behavior to improve grassland health and forage quality for both wildlife and livestock, the NPS will seek to rest and burn the preserve’s grazing areas every ten years, during which time grazing will be suspended.

Beginning in 2021, NPS officials plan to rest the grazing areas and conduct prescribed burns the following year in 2022. After the treatments, the NPS intends to issue future grazing permits for a two-year period. Applications for the two-year special use permit will be announced during summer 2022.

The NPS closely monitors the preserve’s grasslands to prevent overgrazing, and if conditions become too dry, the livestock program may be delayed or cancelled for the year.

For further information, please email e-mail us or call [phone].