Allen Henrie Cares for Panguitch Creek

Cows and creeks can mix. Just ask Allen Henrie. All it takes are the tools of the trade of range management: fencing and good pasture management plans. Add some willows and irrigation management and you have an equation for “stream restoration.”

Allen grew up with natural resource conservation in his blood. His father, Konroy, lived and breathed the stewardship of animals, plants, soil, water and wildlife. When Allen inherited the farm’s management for his family he didn’t have to stop and think about how to “improve resource conditions.” He went right to work mixing and matching various local, state, federal and private funding sources on behalf of his 900 acre ranch along the fragile course of Panguitch Creek.

He’s used a combination of “sweat equity” from family members and the “can do” volunteerism of Utah’s unique Dedicated Hunter program. He was awarded grants from four conservation funds and the results are beginning to show.

Allen’s purebred cattle can still graze the grassy streambanks but their visits are carefully timed and controlled. That’s why fences are so important. Allen is looking forward to getting more willows established. He sees a day soon when Panguitch Creek will provide a healthy aquatic environment for the fish and other creatures, too. “I hope our efforts here can be an example for others in the Sevier River area, “ Allen said, “so these lessons will help the watershed, too.”

Allen Henrie talks with Steve Robertson of the Dixie National Forest.