THE RANCHLANDS REVIEW
EDITION #02
Dormant
Winter is a season of dormancy, a time of slowing down and turning inward. The land, in its stark beauty, asks us to take a breath and consider what has been and what is yet to come. For many of us in ranching, winter is a time of planning, preparing, and contemplating what’s to come in the seasons ahead. At the Paintrock especially, our rhythm of work takes on a different cadence. As heavy snows pack the higher elevations of the Bighorn Mountains, we and the cattle bide our time on the valley bottom, waiting for the spring thaw that will open the mountains to us again. It’s a time to give attention to projects and ideas that have been pushed to the backburner during the busy months, do maintenance on our vehicles and equipment, and plan for the year ahead.
Explore the Stories
Little Brown Bats
A deadly fungal disease is disrupting bat hibernation. Can scientists save them?
The Polar Night
Winter in the Arctic represents perhaps the quintessential ideal of dormancy. But as ecologist Charles Post reminds us, this extreme landscape hold lessons about moving with the rhythms of nature rather than against them.
Ranchlands Radio
The creation of these stories is funded by generous donations to the Ranchlands Collective 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supporting our mission to bridge the gap between people and ranching through education and shared experiences