The Poncia family in Marin County, California, work to keep their 520 acres of land safe from the damages of traditional cattle ranching: among other things, they’ve put up cattle crossings to protect the creeks from indiscriminate trampling, and planted native species and over a thousand trees to reduce erosion on creek banks and provide bird habitat. I don’t eat meat at all for many environmental and compassion reasons, but if you do eat meat, you can help the earth by supporting farmers and ranchers who are using sensible practices like these.

[news from the Marin organic newsletter 4/16/10; website at www.stemplecreek.com]