Continued Lessons in Love and Mother Nature

“It is a labor of love,” says Dave Batcheller of his and wife Linda’s ranch (and home), a 31-acre rectangular parcel in the lowlands of western Yolo County. Dave and Linda have spent innumerable hours converting the property from nothing but dirt (not even a fence-post) when they purchased the property in 1981 to what it is today – an outstanding example of how ranching and wildlife management have complementary goals. Working with Audubon California and other resource agencies, the Batchellers have created a three-goal conservation program: increase ranch efficiency, provide wildlife habitat, and participate in outreach and education. The property has become a beautiful and enchanting place to spend time, particularly at sundown, when silhouettes of various birds, ducks, and owls flying by are awe-inspiring and the ranch is quiet, save for the sound of the resident geese.

Although it’s hard to tell, Linda and Dave are relatively new to conservation. While Linda worked a federal government job Dave farmed full-time on leased land. After eight challenging years farming various crops he finally had a bumper crop that provided the down payment for their ranch. They continued to farm, “but it had gotten really tough,” says Dave, and during the last few years, “we were just trading dollars.” Dave knew that they couldn’t row crop the land, so he converted it to permanent pastures for their livestock, but that wasn’t profitable either. Dave got a job in town, sold off their cows (they still maintain about 50 brood ewes), and got rid of their leased land. They couldn’t control the water on their inefficient ranch, the market was bad, the pasture wasn’t making it, and although Dave knew what had to be done, the sheep didn’t generate the income needed to do it. According to Dave, “we limped along until I became so discouraged and frustrated that I was ready to throw in the towel.” That was in the spring of 2000.

Amazingly, that is when Judy Boshoven and Jeanne Wirka, both of Audubon California, came along. “It was just at the right time,” says Dave, “they were truly a godsend!” Judy and Jeanne had sent out fliers to Union School Slough Watershed landowners with information about available grant money. Not knowing the extent of the potential assistance, Dave attended an orientation thinking that he might be able to get help putting in a tailwater pond. That orientation led to a meeting and Dave soon became aware of the incredible resources available to him. Dave relates that this was “huge…they [Judy and Jeanne] said they’d hold my hand and take me through the whole process. There was a mountain of paperwork and Judy and Jeanne were fantastic!”

Work began in the summer of 2000 after various agencies (including Audubon California, NRCS, Yolo County RCD, and Partners for Wildlife) toured the property. Judy and Jeanne helped Dave help find contractors, including one that would excavate the land even though the water table was very high (18 inches). “This guy had the technology, equipment, and expertise and didn’t mind digging in the mud,” marvels Dave. “And,” he added, “he came in on budget.” Dave remains impressed with the quantity and quality of help that he has received. “The on-going support has been incredible: the expertise, the connections, the resources, the administrative help…the list goes on,” he explains. “The ranch would not be what it is if not for the people that have helped along the way,” he notes.

While initially most interested in providing wildlife habitat on his property, Dave expanded his interests to include making his ranch more efficient and participating in outreach (which he greatly enjoys). The Batchellers ended up with a three-acre wetland at the south end of their property and three ponds (South Pond, Willow Pond, and Heidi Pond).

The results of their conservation work are evident to the Batchellers and to anyone who visits their property. “The wildlife is great – it’s the payoff . . . the monitoring is the best part and we learn something new every day,” explain Linda and Dave excitedly. “It is evidence that the plan is working.” The Batchellers clearly enjoy monitoring and are thrilled by their observations. They see more birds (shore-birds, owls, wood ducks, hawks, bitterns, kestrels, a pelican) than one could list. They even have river otters in South Pond and have the photo to prove it. The Batchellers have no doubt that it works. They regularly see native plants such as Spikerush and wildrye popping up in places where they didn’t plant it. “You provide the habitat and Mother Nature will restore herself,” Dave exclaims enthusiastically.

As to potential loss, Dave calculated that 20% (a lot for many ranches) of the property would be taken out of production, although Dave considers it a temporary loss. He explains, “we’ll still be able to graze and run the sheep in those areas once the trees and shrubs get big enough.”

Batcheller Ranch incorporates many conservation methods. They have a complete tailwater return system, use beneficial insectary plants, have modified hedgerows and have installed various bird and owl boxes to encourage additional wildlife habitat.

Their project was designed so that each pasture’s tailwater (from irrigation and rain) drains into the corresponding pond at the east edge of the property. The “L”-shaped berms guide the water to the grassy waterway that extends all the way from Heidi Pond at the north end of the property, to South Pond at the opposite end so that when one pond becomes too full, it runs off into the next.

The project has also created raised alleys down the center of each pasture so that the sheep can walk on dry ground even in winter and during irrigation. Modified hedgerows provide shade for the sheep so they can stay out in the pasture, which is healthier than staying in the barn.

All the fields have water troughs for the sheep, which are fenced out of the pond area (one of their current management plans). When the plants get large enough (3-4 years old, estimates Dave), the sheep will occasionally be allowed to run in the three pond areas to forage.

Native plants are located all over Batcheller Ranch, with a great many near the Batchellers’ home and Heidi Pond. Some of these plants, such as Narrow-leafed milkweed, attract many different kinds of butterflies, insects, and ladybeetles that eat aphids.

Dave and Linda relish their reality – the successful functioning of natural habitat and a working farm. They are very excited and enthusiastic about what they’re doing.Batcheller Ranch is a success and is a terrific example for others to learn from. Dave loves the outreach and never tires of people coming by to look and learn. “So many people come by,” he relates, “We can talk about what we’re doing and show people. Our ranch is a good example because it has a little bit of everything on it. It’s a compact spot and can be seen quickly. People can look at what we’ve done, take what they like and try it on their own properties.”

When asked what the biggest problem is for them, Dave replies without hesitation, “the weeds.” He admits that he had no idea about the prolific and pervasive weeds. They reluctantly spray only as an initial means to an end. “The natives need a little help getting started,” explains Dave, “Once they start growing, they can out-compete the exotics.” In a few years, Dave projects, they will likely participate in some prescribed burns.

The Batchellers have a long-term vision for their property: they consider their ranch a work in progress and they are patient enough to take the steps necessary to get there. “It will get better all the time,” claims Dave. Dave and Linda are truly experiencing the joy of living their dream.

Article by Rebecca Bresnick Holmes for the Yolo County RCD "Conservation Quarterly", Volume 8, Issue 1, Winter 2004.