Coming Soon: STAR for Grazing Lands

A New Framework for Conservation-Driven Grazing Management

STAR for Grazing Lands is an innovative framework that supports ranchers and land managers in adopting conservation-driven grazing practices that enhance both environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience. Currently in development, STAR for Grazing Lands is rooted in science, local adaptability, and producer experience. STAR provides ranchers with tools, customized technical guidance, and a structured pathway to evaluate and improve their grazing management strategies.

Our Philosophy & Approach

At STAR, we believe that livestock grazing plays a vital role in supporting healthy ecosystems on rangelands and other agricultural lands. Our approach is guided by the following principles:

• Grazing lands are diverse, but sound management principles remain universal. STAR embraces adaptations to local ecological contexts while maintaining core conservation tenets such as plant recovery periods, soil health improvement, and riparian protection.
• Conservation and livestock agriculture objectives are compatible. Managed properly, grazing animals contribute to soil regeneration, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration while supporting profitable ranching.
• Planning and adaptability are key to long-term success. STAR helps ranchers evaluate their current practices, set conservation goals, and develop flexible plans that account for variables such as drought, operational factors , and market opportunities.
• Ranchers lead the way. Each operation is unique, and STAR provides the tools for land stewards to assess and implement changes that align with their individual goals and circumstances.

How STAR for Grazing Lands Works

STAR for Grazing Lands is voluntary, free, and designed to complement existing conservation programs. Once it becomes available in September, 2025, STAR for Grazing Lands includes:

• A 1 to 5 STAR Rating System – Ranchers complete an ranch-scale evaluation to determine their conservation baseline and track progress over time.
• Customized Conservation Innovation Plans (CIP) – Tailored recommendations help producers develop grazing and contingency plans, as well as monitor and evaluate ecological impacts.
• Support from STAR Navigators – Ranchers receive guidance from trained experts who provide technical, educational, and financial resource connections.
• Integration with Other Programs – STAR functions as an onramp to state, federal, local, and private conservation programs, offering complementary and stackable support and promoting new opportunities.
• Confidential Data Use – STAR is committed to producer privacy, with only aggregated data shared publicly.

Who Can Participate?

STAR for Grazing Lands applies to a range of land types, including:

• Improved pastures
• Native rangelands
• Woodland and forest grazing areas

To participate, ranchers should have a degree of decision-making control and long-term tenure over their land management. While short-term leases may present challenges, STAR Navigators can help ranchers explore options for participation. STAR for Grazing Lands will launch in September 2025.

Timeline & Stakeholder Engagement

STAR for Grazing Lands is actively engaging with ranchers, conservationists, and other stakeholders to refine and expand its implementation. The following timeline outlines key milestones for development and participation; sign up here to register for these listening sessions.

• March 19th, 2025 – Listening Session #2
• June 25th, 2025 – Listening Session #3
• September, 2025 – Launch: Grazing Form available of the STAR Web Tool

Get Involved

As we continue developing STAR for Grazing Lands, we welcome input from ranchers, conservation professionals, and organizations invested in the future of sustainable grazing.

Are you a rancher looking to improve your conservation practices? An organization interested in supporting conservation on grazing lands? Join us in shaping the future of STAR for Grazing Lands.

• Contact us at info@starconservation.org
• Sign up to participate here

STAR for Grazing Lands will launch first in the Rocky Mountain region in late summer 2025 including the states of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming. We will continue our work to adapt STAR for Grazing Lands in additional regions, including the Midwest, by 2026.