SEND IN THE COWS: REGENERATIVE GRAZING CREATING RESILIENT INSTALLATIONS

Abstract

Climate change directly affects soldiers, families, and operational readiness. The current Army Climate Strategy Implementation Plan FY23-27 (ACS-IP) published lines of effort to ensure a trained and ready force while preparing a sustainable future force to fight and win the nation’s wars. To combat greenhouse gases (GHG), the Army must explore management techniques to comply with emerging standards. This thesis research examines ACS-line of effort (LOE) 1: installations. The LOE aims to accomplish this by adopting programs and practices that optimize infrastructure resilience and sustainability while employing adaptive land management techniques to ensure future training and readiness. The regenerative grazing pilot we propose can help to achieve all the desired outcomes. Findings will demonstrate benefits of regenerative grazing on DOD installations, specifically showing that adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing programs sequester greater amounts of carbon (C) than conventional grazing management. The results of the study will provide data of overall carbon sequestered and additional environmental benefits from AMP management. Continued research efforts will compile the data in subsequent reports and provide findings linked to increased installation resiliency. This is an opportunity to adopt a shovel-ready nature-based solution for change.