Revolution on the Range with Courtney White of the Quivira Coalition [00:36:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (188)

The initial mission of The Quivira Coalition, which was founded by a rancher and two environmentalists in June 1997, was to offer ‘common sense solutions to the grazing debate,’ principally by broadcasting the principles of ecologically sensitive ranch management.

The debate at the time was marked by extreme polarization between traditional ranchers and environmentalists, resulting in gridlock at a variety of levels. Seeking to break this gridlock by advocating a new set of tools, they vowed not to do lawsuits or legislation. Nor would they be mediators or facilitators between extremes in the grazing debate. Instead, they concentrated on creating a ‘third position,’ outside the continuum of brawling. They called this position The New Ranch, and invited others to join them.

Their goal was was to work simultaneously in the ‘radical center’ - a neutral place where people could explore their interests instead of arguing their positions.

Courtney White is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Quivira Coalition, and author of “Revolution on the Range”.