October Speaker Series: Audubon Certification for Wyoming Ranchers

Join us for our October Speaker Series: Audubon Certification for Wyoming Ranchers. Cidney Handy, range ecologist for Audubon Rockies will bring together Tom and Lisa Millikin of the Millikin ranch, and Dusty Downey, a cattle rancher in Northeast Wyoming, to speak about their experiences with Audubon Certification and conservation.

Grassland birds have suffered an unparalleled decline in the past 50 years due to development, cropland conversion, and wildfire. To combat the negative effects of grassland degradations—and to keep grass on the landscape—Audubon has developed the Conservation Ranching Initiative. This market-based conservation approach offers incentives for good grassland stewardship through a certification label on beef and bison products. For the first time, consumers can contribute to grassland conservation efforts by selectively purchasing beef from Audubon-certified farms and ranches.

Cidney Handy is a Range Ecologist for Audubon Rockies who helps certify ranches under Audubon’s Conservation Ranching Initiative. Cidney went to Colorado State University for both her bachelor’s degree in natural resources management and master’s degree in natural resources stewardship focusing on ecological restoration. Cidney has worked in a variety of positions that have ranged from monitoring conservation easements on working lands to installing beaver baffles. In her free time, she likes to be outside either hiking, hunting, or backpacking with friends and family.

Tim and Lisa Millikin joined the Audubon back in 2019. Tim's great-grandfather homesteaded in 1906 and started with sheep. Tim is the 4th generation to work the ranch, and their son Pryce, who joined two years ago, is now the 5th generation. The family owns and operates a yearling operation.What interested the Millikins in joining Audubon was how they wanted to help with our conservation. Audubon has been a great partner in their adventure over the years, and to see the benefits is greatly rewarding. The Millikins see the benefit of Audubon conservation each year in their operation, and enjoy the reports of bird monitoring. They enjoy working with Audubon, and the programs they provide help with the conservation of our land. Tim and Lisa have been working alongside each other for over 30 years and are blessed in what we get to do and to continue the legacy his family started.

Dusty Downey was born and currently lives with his wife and two daughters on a working cattle ranch in Northeast Wyoming. Dusty has extensive experience with cattle production, supply chain development, and animal husbandry and he oversees all aspects of the Conservation Ranching Program across the Rockies. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a B.S. in biology. Before returning to the family ranch to work for Audubon in 2005, Dusty held a variety of jobs including groundfish observer in Alaska, Education Coordinator in Louisiana and California, and wilderness guide. Dusty is also a Wilderness EMT and certified interpretive guide through the National Association for Interpretation.

This event is a virtual presentation webinar. The zoom link to join will be sent via email from info@wyfoodcoalition.org to verified users and ticket holders on the Monday before October 30, 2025. Any questions or requests can be sent to info@wyfoodcoalition.org.