Greetings WILD IN MONTANA Retreat participants! You will be in Montana, hosted at the incomparable B Bar Ranch in just a few days. I thought it might be fun to learn more about the ranch, its mission, unique landscape, and beauty, as you travel this way. Taking a moment to envision your retreat and what you’d like to get out of it is always good!
welcome to the b bar
The B Bar supports this deeply satisfying way of life and stewardship in the way they operate the ranch:
- Raising Ancient White Park cattle (organic grass-fed grass-finished beef)
- Embracing ecologically responsible practices
- Maintaining organic certification of the land, cattle, and gardens
- Practicing low-stress livestock management
- Providing habitat and allowing free passage for the myriad of wildlife species that reside on or travel through the ranch
- Sharing what they do with others who are interested in our activities and the values that underlie them
Wildlife
We also see red-tail and rough-legged hawks, Clark’s nutcrackers, western meadowlarks, black-billed magpies, mountain bluebirds, ruffed and blue grouse, gray and Steller’s jays, western tanagers, mountain chickadees, pine grosbeaks, Canada geese, trumpeter swans, and various ducks and other waterfowl.
Tom Miner Creek provides precious habitat for its rare community of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and a growing population of beavers.
The cattle on the b bar
Ancient White Parks have white coats with colored points (ears, feet and muzzles) that are usually black but occasionally red. Some of the cattle are mottled or solid black, expressing a recessive gene for color that runs through the population.
The cows frequently have upswept lyre-shaped horns that continue to twist as the animal’s age. The bulls typically have shorter horns that curve forward with age in a flat arc.
The ranch has grown its own herd to a size that now allows for the establishment of new herds throughout North America.
Through the Ancient White Park Cattle Society of North America, they are maintaining the registration of offspring and producing herd books at regular intervals in addition to the registrations maintained with the White Park Cattle Society in Britain.
sustainability
- They manage cattle activity to imitate that of wildlife while limiting their competition for resources.
- They assure that the land is certified organic each year.
- They streamline energy and water use whenever possible with gravity-fed irrigation systems, decreased labor energy, and vigilant use of high-efficiency light bulbs, consolidates trips to down and carpooling.
- They also use current green guest laundry service practices, utilize gentle cleaning products, recycle materials and equipment, and compost kitchen and garden waste.
- Visitors are encouraged to participate in our recycling efforts by using the containers placed in common areas and cabins and rooms.
partnerships
The B Bar’s owners have welcomed non-profit organizations to make use of the ranch guest facilities since they bought it in 1978.
Known for their long-standing philanthropic activity, the owners have opened up their ranch home to select non-profit groups and guests whose goals synch with their agricultural, environmental, and social goals.
It’s especially rewarding how many people find themselves transformed by their experiences at the B Bar.
Your time on the ranch will be a magical time of rest, renewal, fun, and adventure,
b bar magic
By coming on this retreat, you have already set an intention to step outside your comfort zone and explore the great outdoors.
What other adventures, experiences, or ah-ha moments would you like to get out of your time on the ranch?
Challenging yourself through hiking, riding, rafting? Wildlife viewing, sitting on your front porch, writing, reading, or simply resting?
All of these experiences are yours to explore, embrace and delight in. What is your WILD in Montana adventure?
With love and excitement,
Tina
The view from the overlook trail on the B Bar Ranch.