About R3

Introduction

The Restoring Rangeland Resilience (R3) project was created to address the escalating environmental challenges and financial pressures faced by ranchers and landowners across the Western United States. Invasive annual grasses, such as cheatgrass, and the increasing prevalence of wildfires are driving a decline in the U.S. cow herd, intensifying economic hardships, and weakening the resilience of rural communities and the industries that depend on them.

R3’s mission is to safeguard the long-term sustainability of Western Rangelands by combating invasive species and enhancing ecosystem health. The project specifically targets cheatgrass, a major threat to rangeland resilience, with the goal of preserving the industries and livelihoods tied to these landscapes.

Through science-based, targeted interventions, R3 aims to restore and improve the productivity of at-risk rangelands across the Western United States. By enhancing rangeland resilience, the project benefits diverse stakeholders, including ranchers, retailers, local communities, utilities, and the beef supply chain. Key outcomes include reducing wildfire risks, increasing beef production profitability, and protecting vital ecosystems, creating shared value for all partners involved.

The Problem

Today, invasive annual grasses affect over 100 million acres of U.S. pasture and rangelands, with an additional 75 million acres projected to be impacted within the next decade. The latest scientific findings indicate that the conversion of perennial pastures to invasive annual species can result in approximately 42% to 49% reduction in soil carbon, which equates to 1 to 3.5 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per acre per year. Currently, this degradation affects approximately 1 million acres annually- a figure expected to increase exponentially in the coming years.

Invasive annual grasses, particularly cheatgrass, act as "grassoline" on the Western landscape, drying out early and fueling fires that burn hotter and more frequently than those in native perennial ecosystems. This dynamic has drastically altered fire cycles in rangeland ecosystems like the Great Basin, compressing the natural 50-100 year fire interval of sagebrush ecosystems into as little as one to five years.

This increase in wildfire risk has far-reaching consequences, from the destruction of ranching infrastructure to the loss of critical wildlife habitats and economic stability for rural communities. Without intervention, these fires perpetuate a vicious cycle, where cheatgrass dominates burned areas, further accelerating the spread of invasive species and increasing the likelihood of future fires. This escalating and underfunded crisis demands urgent attention to break the feedback loop threatening the sagebrush sea and the communities and industries that depend on it.

Fire clears the way for invasive annual grasses, like cheatgrass, to dominate once diverse ecosystems in Northwest rangelands. Credit: Ben Slyngstad, USGS

The Breakthrough Innovation

The R3 framework leverages a groundbreaking innovation – Rejuvra®, a biochemical tool for long-term control of invasive annual grass and broadleaf weeds, resulting in:

• Reduced invasive annual grasses

• Replenished soil health

• Improved forage production and quality

• Lower wildfire risks by reducing dry, flammable vegetation

• Restored thriving native plant communities

• Enhanced habitats for wildlife

• Better environments for pollinators to thrive

This tool offers the first reliable, long-term solution for targeted control of invasive annual grass seed banks, outperforming alternative methods that often provide only inconsistent, short-term results. A single application of Rejuvra® stops annual grasses from growing for several years - with some applications demonstrating efficacy beyond 5 years. This gives ranchers and land managers a fresh, effective way to reduce invasive grasses while protecting and promoting the growth of native vegetation.

Data combined across 10 studies by top universities, including Colorado State, University of Wyoming, and Montana State, found that Indaziflam (Rejurva®) achieved over 90% control of invasive annual grasses in the fourth summer after treatment. In contrast, untreated areas showed no control, and Imazapic (Plateau) provided less than 10% control.

The Economics

At $75-$85 per acre, Rejuvra® offers an economical solution compared to costly restoration activities like reseeding and replanting, which can range from $200 to $1,000 per acre depending on the method and seed selection. The most effective time to control invasive annual grasses is when healthy perennials are still present. R3 prioritizes invasive grass control in areas with thriving perennials to ensure long-term success and cost-effectiveness.

Beyond the environmental advantages, the use of Rejuvra® also builds economic resilience in U.S. beef supply chains, helping ranchers and land stewards maintain profitability and resilience. By increasing forage production by 3.5 times*, as demonstrated in the analysis, ranchers can significantly boost their available forage while reducing the need for costly restoration efforts. This not only keeps ranchers ranching but also improves their return on investment, as shown in the comparison below, where treated lands yield a 23% annual ROI and recoup investment in just over three years.

	Untreated	Treated	Difference
Annual forage production lb/acre	533	1,830	1,297
Available AUMs per section based on 2,000 lb/acre forage per cow-calf pair	170.6	585.6	415
Annual value of AUMs based on $25 per AUM	$4,265	$14,640	$10,375
Total restoration costs per section estimate for herbicide + application	$0	$33,760	$33,760
Annualized restoration cost total cost divided by four years	$0	$8,440	$8,440
Years to recoup investment: total restoration costs/annual increase in AUM value			3.2 years
Annual ROI (%)			23%

*Forage response is variable and dependent on individual sit conditions. Individual investment results may vary Project Scope & Geography

Geography & Scope

High concentrations of annual grasses demarcated in red and yellow, while lower concentrations are demarcated in green

R3 will focus on regions heavily impacted by invasive annuals grasses, such as Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, and Arizona. California, where highly productive annuals dominate the forage, complicates restoration and requires fundamentally different management strategies, placing it outside the scope of this initiative. Instead, R3 will prioritize innovative approaches in regions where these methods can deliver the most impactful results.

Note, in the imagery analysis above: 1) The stars denotes significant cattle feedlots, which are largely supported by the beef supply shed of affected regions. And, 2) the analysis layer does not extend into eastern portions of Colorado and western portions of Nebraska, Kansas, and the Dakotas, where extensive cheatgrass invasion is present.

Stakeholders & Project Partnerships

R3 will involve a broad coalition of partners, including ranchers, technology providers, environmental organizations, and industry stakeholders. Each partner will play a crucial role in the project’s success, from providing the necessary tools and funding to offering scientific insights and on-the-ground support. The project is also open to additional partnerships that align with its goals and can contribute to its success.

Expected Partnerships	Role
Ranchers & Landowners	Working with project partners to apply Rejuvra treatments to reduce and mitigate invasive species and wildfire
Project Developers	Design and implementing projects that incorporate the R3 framework for delivering measurable environmental outcomes, coordinating stakeholders, and ensuring alignment with leading standards
Beef Supply Chain Partners	Funding Partners, providing supply chain insights and expertise towards the development of protocol(s) which drive resilience in their supply chain operations and meet climate objectives
Utility Operators	Funding Partners, providing insights and expertise towards development of protocol(s) which reduce operational risk of wildfires leveraging ecosystem services
Tribal Lands	Providing ranchlands and local knowledge to guide implementation
NGOs & Academics	Providing scientific insights and potentially lands connected with ongoing complimentary initiatives (USDA Climate-Smart or RCPP)
Impact Investors & Family Foundations	Funding Partners with mission-aligned interests
Envu	Lead Partner currently funding the expansion of scientific research, providing Rejuvra® and the Rangeview monitoring platform
MillPont	Clearinghouse providing framework design and digital market infrastructure for facilitating exchange of environmental attributes