During kindergarten, my teacher asked what we’d like to be when we grew up. My answer, “either a cowgirl or a princess” and truth be told, I’m probably still stuck somewhere in that dilemma. Of course, Bonanza Jellybean, the heroine of a Tom Robbin’s novel strengthened the cause. And there was Neil Young’s Cowgirl in the Sand. But this past week, cowgirls weren’t a distant memory or a writer’s muse, they were up-close and in-person.
AZ Highways 2006 Kelly Glenn Kimbro
I first became aware of Kelly in February of 2006 when her photo graced the cover of Arizona Highways magazine. For those of you unfamiliar with the publication, the cover is reserved for gorgeous Southwestern scenery. That, she is. In this issue, she’s referred to as the Environmentalist Rancher – a concept that she and her father invented.
Kelly Glenn Kimbro is a real life cowgirl who lives and works in the Malpai. Malpai is a Spanish word for bad lands and is an 800,000 acre area across Southern Arizona and New Mexico nestled against the Mexican Border.
Kelly Glenn-Kimbro and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords Photo at Giffordsforcongress.com
The Malpai Borderlands Group is a collaborative effort that originated as a conversation amongst neighbors who recognized that their way of life and the natural landscape that they loved was being threatened by development and subdivision from growth in nearby towns. Since 1994, the group has pursued activities directed at protecting and restoring ecological diversity and productivity. Their programs include:
Land protection: More than 75,000 acres of private land has been designated as ranch land in perpetuity through conservation easements. This protects it as natural wildlife habitat and productive ranch land by preventing subdivision and development.
Innovative cooperative land management: The group invented the concept of “Grassbanking” where neighboring ranchers who are experiencing drought can “rest” their ranches from over-grazing by moving their herds to an area under reciprocal conservation agreements.
Habitat restoration: They’ve undertaken many restoration projects to restore native grassland and savanna habitat, including an ambitious goal of restoring fire as a natural landscape process. Working with numerous agency and private partners, the group has conducted prescribed fire over 69,000 acres. Monitoring shows that their projects are resulting in improved ecological conditions.
Kelly and her daughter, Mackenzie at “the Pond”
Now, this work handed from Kelly’s father to her is transcending another generation. Kelly’s daughter, MacKenzie is stepping into the roles carved out by her mother. As a member of Future Farmer’s of America and 4-H, she has created a partnership with Arizona Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and she and her mother are creating an aquatic habitat to help native fish and leopard frogs.
This project has included a great deal of hard physical labor clearing invasive plants and building out a pond area. Their intention is to turn this area into an outdoor classroom where high school students can observe and learn about nature. Once complete, they’re eager to move on to the community garden and other agricultural aspects of the project in order to educate kids on where their food comes from. In addition, they’re eager to showcase the project as a place where area teens can come to learn about careers in farming, ranching and food production.
It’s rare to find the combination of rancher and environmentalist and it is an honor to introduce you to this amazing mother – daughter team – cowgirls to the core! To learn more about the Malpai, click here.
Agrigirl's Blog 
myrnagreenfield
/ November 7, 2011What inspiring work! Thanks for sharing.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011You’re welcome. Great to see you Myrna!
Auburn Meadow Farm
/ November 7, 2011Awesome.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011I thought you’d like this one.
Estrella Azul
/ November 7, 2011I loved learning about Kelly, thank you for sharing this, Tammy!
One of the series I really liked watching was the Australian “McLeod’s daughters” and the thing is, I think I’d also like to be either a cowgirl or a princess 😉
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011You’ll be in good company!
Cindy
/ November 7, 2011What an amazing woman!
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011Absolutely. And she wakes every morning at 3 am or something to do email and then hit the range! I’m so in awe.
Robin Mullet
/ November 7, 2011In working with wolf issues for over ten years, one sometimes lose sight of the ranchers who care about the land and the critters. They often have to fend off criticism from both the ranching and environmental factors. Thanks for highlighting this industrious lady.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011Yes, you’re absolutely correct. Environmentalist and Rancher are not cohesive terms in this country. Kelly is working to change that but it takes work on the part of all of us.
Lisa H
/ November 7, 2011Informative post, Tammy. I’ve always admired the ranching woman. Kelly and MacKenzie are certainly an inspiration to all women.
Well, I’ve seen you in cowgirl gear and I think you make an awesome cowgirl!
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011That’s my favorite outfit in the world! You and Kaela need to meet them.
Tes
/ November 7, 2011What a cool team! Their projects sound really amazing! It’s nice to see someone so passionate about environment 🙂
Tammy
/ November 8, 2011They are a cool team Tes. Hope you’re doing well.
GroundCherry
/ November 7, 2011Fascinating! While severe droughts are less common here in the Northeast, it’s still interesting to think about how you can lessen the impact on the land through community.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011Yes, it’s a basic concept of sharing but fascinating at this level, isn’t it? I wonder where else in our local food systems there is a reciprocal arrangement like this that would yield such benefits?
Todd Pack
/ November 7, 2011I like the idea of an environmentalist rancher. It seems so obvious, you wonder why no one thought of the idea sooner.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011It does sort of seem obvious but then I hear about how far apart these two groups are. It’s amazing.
iDella
/ November 7, 2011Thank you for this. I wasn’t aware of this woman at all. What an amazing person! I love it when women embrace so-called non-traditional roles.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011She is a legend.
Paula Tohline Calhoun
/ November 7, 2011Great article, and wonderful ladies! I stand in awe of people who use their gifts and abilities in such wonderful ways – that benefit us all! Hurrah for these two cowgirls!
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011Great story isn’t it Paula and they’re so authentic. I love their story.
kateshrewsday
/ November 7, 2011Lovely to hear of someone who lives principles like this out so eminently practically, Tammy. Thanks!
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011Isn’t though? I’m into this story.
daisyfae
/ November 7, 2011partly due to my adoration of cowgirls, i just started taking riding lessons… thanks for sharing this story, and reminding me that there’s a lot more to being a cowgirl than riding a horse! awesome story!
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011You are so welcome. Somehow, I knew you shared an adoration for cowgirls!
Cherry
/ November 7, 2011cowgirl’s hats off….. 🙂
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011back at you!
Debbie
/ November 7, 2011Thanks Tammy, for sharing about this inspiring woman and now her daughter too. It makes me wonder how many others are out there with this kind of potential and possibilities for finding solutions. Could it even be one of us? 🙂 Taking my daughter riding tomorrow . . .and there’s a Fresian mare there named Princess.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011He works in mysterious ways! Watch for it Debbie.
HSTooker
/ November 7, 2011Wish we all could be cowgirls! At least we can help the environment.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011Me too!
nrhatch
/ November 7, 2011Very cool! Thanks, Tammy.
Tammy
/ November 7, 2011You’re welcome Nancy!
Tandy
/ November 8, 2011somewhere between a cowgirl during the day and a princess at night is a good idea! Thanks for the informative article 🙂
Tammy
/ November 8, 2011Maybe that’s where the split is – day and night!
Hannah
/ November 8, 2011I have long desired to be A Horse Person, which I feel is almost like wanting to be a cowgirl. Except your dream is more world-helping than mine 😛
Tammy
/ November 8, 2011aaaaaaaah. I’m not so certain about that.
Rukmini
/ November 8, 2011Why did you put me in the tempting thought, when I thought I was over it 🙂
Really, I so wanted to be a cowgirl or even a shepherd in the Alps. **Sigh** Settled for being a writer instead- that way at least I can live my dreams in ink.
Such a great post and a feel good read.
Tammy
/ November 9, 2011Thanks Rukmini. Feel good is what I aim for!
nursemyra
/ November 8, 2011your title reminded me of one of my favourite compilations of short stories – Pam Houston’s Cowboys Are My Weakness. Have you read it Tammy?
Tammy
/ November 9, 2011No but I will be checking it out!
flippingchannels
/ November 9, 2011Great story! If more people thought about what affect they have on the land long term the world would be a cleaner more beautiful place.
Tammy
/ November 9, 2011Yeah! And this is particularly interesting because they had to bring so many disparate groups together in dialogue to create it. I love the story.
hungry dog
/ November 9, 2011Wow, this is so interesting. What great work they do! Wonder if they partner with the Trust for Public Land? Thanks for the good read.
Tammy
/ November 9, 2011They do work with State Land Trusts – Ranchers who enter into conservation easement agreements are voluntarily giving up potential future development value in order to protect their land for ranching. Therefore, if they were to lose ranching as a livelihood through changes in the administration of public land leases, and through no fault of their own, it would be unfair to penalize them with the loss of the remaining economic use of their land. In such a case, the easement may be revoked. In the case of State Trust Lands, there exists the remote possibility that the land could be traded or sold by the State and then developed. Such an action would also make the easement goals unattainable and invoke revocation. It is very important to note that should a landowner wish to have the easement recognized by the IRS for income tax deduction purposes, the easement cannot contain revocation language.
LL Cool Joe
/ November 9, 2011She sounds like a fascinating woman with some great stories to tell! My younger daughter would love to do this kind of work.
Tammy
/ November 9, 2011Maybe you can visit when you are in AZ.
nancy at good food matters
/ November 10, 2011In the summer of ’05, we drove out west for the first time, and were astonished by the Malpai–the raw power and beauty of that stark landscape. We loved it. I am heartened to learn about these Cowgirl heros and the good work they are doing for preservation. thanks for the share, Tammy.
Tammy
/ November 10, 2011you are quite welcome. Glad you’re familiar with the area that they’re working in.
the island traveler
/ November 11, 2011Real cowboys and cowgirls are truly admirable. Their rugged lifestyle, their love for nature, their passion for animals , their respect for people, their genuine and untainted spirit reminds all of us of what we lost when we embraced modern materialism. I wish I live in a country where people are simple and sincere. People who cares and honest in every way.
We all need to work and support in the preservation of such a rich culture, the landscape and its jewels. We hope to see more of these projects. Thanks for sharing your passion with us. Best wishes to you and your family.
Tammy
/ November 12, 2011I agree that we need more of these projects.
Jane
/ November 11, 2011What a great role model! Thanks for sharing this.
Catherine Sherman
/ November 12, 2011My grandmother was a rancher and pioneer woman. I totally admired her and all that she accomplished. Thanks for highlighting these women.
Tammy
/ November 12, 2011oh, so it’s in your blood and probably instrumental in your personal development. Would love to hear more about them sometime.
Kath (My Funny Little Life)
/ November 12, 2011Very interesting. Thank you for sharing!
Tammy
/ November 12, 2011Is there a German word for cowgirl?
Sophie33
/ November 13, 2011Thanks, Tammy for this wonderfulm & powerful post!
Inspiring certainly!
Tammy
/ November 13, 2011These women are really incredible. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jean
/ November 20, 2011I think it’s tough to be a cowgirl, business entrepreneur (because that’s what farming really is…a business either small or large scale depending on size of farm/ranch) because even now in agribusiness there is alot of risk involved.
In our area, there is the annual Calgary Stampede where in the city, there are some pretend cowboys and cowgirls. They spend enough money in dressing up the role. But true Alberta of all the Canadian provinces does have a real cowboy, ranchland culture/ethos outside its cities. The best bison and beef in Canada come from Alberta.
Hope you find more info. on cowgirls to blog about later.
Tammy
/ November 21, 2011Thanks Jean. I hope so too and you’re right – I think it’s really tough.
Mahen
/ December 8, 2011Environmentalist rancher – sounds interesting. I just love everything country, no matter which part of the world they come from. There is still a little bit of closeness and a unique sense of obeisance towards mother nature in the country side.
Tammy
/ December 9, 2011It is a combination that many people do not consider.
Auburn Meadow Farm
/ December 9, 2011Isn’t that amazingly crazy when you think that one through? Sad but true…
souldipper
/ December 12, 2011I’m not being facetious or down-putting…it takes a woman to combine the elements of care and necessity so compatibly and comfortably!
Wow, being part cowgirl, I really am impressed.
sonsothunder
/ March 6, 2012You’re not part anything…you’s a cowgirl at heart…
Tammy
/ March 7, 2012Thank you so much Sons! Yeah – it’s 100% at heart.
Tammy
/ March 7, 2012😉
sonsothunder
/ March 6, 2012Gabrielle Giffords, AND Kelly Kimbro? Wow…Absolute beauty all around…including you of course…
I never rode a bull for 8 seconds, but I once convinced myself I was “Super *8* Man”
I “ate” Dirt… …as soon as the gate opened… I grew up riding horses…but, someone forgot to inform the Bull the two animals were of the same arena…
Love your work…adding you to the Blogroll…I know, like anyone ever looks at those things…
But…best I can do…other than maybe reblog this post…soon
Bless You
paul
Tammy
/ March 7, 2012Gabby and Kelly are amazing women and they care deeply about things that matter. Would love to be on your blog roll and love for you to reblog this!