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Trail Mix: Improving Livestock–Recreationist Interactions Through Targeted Outreach

Jenny Beiermann

Summary

Livestock producers who operate on public lands increasingly face human risk challenges as outdoor recreation grows across the West. Encounters between recreationists and livestock often stem from misunderstandings about grazing practices, multiple use, and the role of ranching in land stewardship. These conflicts create stress, safety concerns, and emotional strain for producers, adding to the burden within their operations. This presentation shares an educational signage project developed in collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management, West Slope Outdoors Alliance, and the Agriwest Initiative to address these challenges through clear, accessible, and culturally grounded communication.
The project designed and installed 13 visually engaging signs at high-use trailheads and access points in Mesa County, Colorado. Each sign explains why livestock are present, how grazing contributes to ecological goals and trail improvements, and how our public lands are managed for multiple uses.
After installation, we held outreach events at three sites. Recreationists used a simple bean-in-jar voting system to indicate whether the information was new and likely to change their future behavior. This method provided immediate educational feedback while keeping the experience approachable and engaging. The events also created meaningful dialogue between producers and recreationists, strengthening understanding. Responses collected indicate that this targeted education increased public confidence around livestock, while decreasing the interpersonal strain placed on producers.
By improving awareness and expectations, the project strengthens management capacity within ranching operations and supports more positive relationships between producers and the recreating public. The project demonstrates that well-designed educational interventions can meaningfully improve producer resilience.

Details

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