Raising Livestock in Mountain Lion Country
September 22, 2024 @ 3:00PM — 4:00PM Mountain Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Headwaters Center: 730 Baker Dr Winter Park, CO 80482 Get Directions
Photograph by Sean Hoover
Gowan Batist is a working sheep rancher in northern California. Gowan will give a practical, field-tested overview of what it takes to raise small ruminants like goats and sheep safely alongside mountain lions.
Topics covered will include cougar behavior and biology, deterrent devices, methods for physical exclusion, use of livestock guardian animals, and when it is and is not appropriate to accelerate our response to active hazing or lethal action. We will also cover safety tips for pet owners and poultry coops, and discuss strategies for working with nature to the benefit of all concerned, human and animal alike.
The Mountain Lion Foundation's mission is to ensure that these critically important animals survive and flourish in the wild. The organization's work focuses on science-based education, peaceful coexistence with lions, and advocating for protective policies across the United States. Learn more about lions and how to safely coexist with them at mountainlion.org.
About the Presenter
Gowan Batist is Coexistence Programs Manager at the Mountain Lion Foundation. Gowan is a regenerative sheep rancher, hand-shearer, wool spinner, writer and dog enthusiast who grew up outdoors with wildlife in Northern California and is committed to fostering a land stewardship ethic that increases and preserves biodiversity for future generations.
A co-owner of Fortunate Farms on the Mendocino Coast and member of the Board of Directors of CAFF, Gowan is deeply invested in facilitating positive interactions between humans, agriculture and wildlife. They have a long history of engagement and education, including receiving recognition for her work from California Farmer’s Guild, American Farmland Trust, Americorps NCCC, and the Sustainable North Coast Award from the office of Congressman Jared Huffman.