_____________
joint resolution NO. _____________
By Request of the ****
A joint resolution of
the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana establishing
june as rangeland appreciation month.
WHEREAS, the fourth largest state in the country,
Montana is home to millions of acres of rangeland with unparalleled sunrises
and sunsets; and
WHEREAS, the diverse ecology of rangeland
provides a unique way of life for thousands of Montanans; and
WHEREAS, rangeland provides recreational
opportunities for Montanans and millions more, such as hunting and fishing,
generating significant revenue for our economy and rangeland communities; and
WHEREAS, rangeland sequesters more than 20
percent of the world's terrestrial carbon and provides erosion control and
nutrient cycling; and
WHEREAS, rangeland supports many different types
of wildlife and provides forage to support Montana's $1.5 billion livestock
industry as it provides a relatively low-input option for raising livestock;
and
WHEREAS, farmers and ranchers have been stewards
of the land for generations, as the sustainability of rangeland is vital for
the future of agriculture; and
WHEREAS, Montana's rangeland is the backbone of
our rich history and a leader in the future of Montana.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate
and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the month of June be declared Rangeland Appreciation
Month.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send copies of this
resolution to the Governor, the MSU Extension, and the Director of the Department
of Natural Resources and Conservation.
INTRODUCED
BY _________________________________________________