Dan Durham on Finding Home and Sharing Knowledge

Where do you live?

Outside of Sheridan MT on a small piece of property with wife, two boys, and two dogs.

What is your profession?

I’m a partner in Ranch Resources Inc. with Logan Miller. We provide ranch management and natural resources consulting throughout Montana and outside of the state.

When a non-traditional ranch landowner doesn’t have the time or knowledge to run the ranch, they can hire Ranch Resources. We handle management activities and interactions with hunters, government agencies, and neighbors.

Our job is to make good decisions for the landowner's resources. We identify opportunities to benefit their land, the bottom line, and the future of the property. Conservation is a big component that supports the ranch owner’s investment.

It’s also our job to maintain a healthy community by building a bridge between new landowners and the people who already live here.

Ultimately, we keep working ranch lands healthy and working into the future. The alternative is that it gets bought up and used for recreation.

Another part of my job at Ranch Resources is to serve as the Executive Director for the Ruby Habitat Foundation. As a member of the Ruby Valley Strategic Alliance, I represent the Ruby Habitat Foundation, providing a perspective that represents lands inside and outside of the Ruby Valley.

"When I got to the Ruby Valley, I knew this was home."

What do you do for fun?

I spend my free time hanging out with my boys. We get outside, into the mountains, fishing, and working on projects around the house. When I’m on my own, I enjoy being in the mountains.

How would you describe your relationship with Ruby Valley or the surrounding area?

I arrived in the Ruby Valley in 2004 with a seasonal job and odd jobs to pay the bills. When I got here, I knew this was home. I also knew I needed more experience to work in agriculture to come back and work on ranches in the Ruby.

After I got the education and experience, I got a job with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and have been here in the Ruby Valley ever since.

I feel lucky to have worked with so many ranches. They welcomed me and allowed me the opportunity to partner with them in their operation.

Why are you a member of the RVSA?

This group is hopeful. It’s a real community and people work together, even on topics that are potentially polarizing.

I feel like I’m doing something positive and there is a path forward. It doesn’t have to be so difficult.

What about the vision and goals of the RVSA most resonates with you?

This vision of keeping land in production is directly applicable to my work and critical to what we are trying to do. The RVSA’s goals and shared values resonate professionally.

Personally, when I look at my family, friends, and who I work with the vision and goals are important to keep the landscape intact. This place means a lot to me. This is the solution to maintaining the way of life, open space, and ability to produce food.

"The RVSA is hopeful. It’s a real community and people work together, even on topics that are potentially polarizing."

What do you see as some of your key accomplishments?

I’m new to the alliance. But what I’ve experienced so far is a foundation within the group to address issues now and into the future. We can explore issues and find solutions.

What do you look forward to working with this group?

Learning about different perspectives, projects, and issues in the Ruby Valley. I want to learn how different people feel about varying issues that come up.

I always like to learn about new resources, and processes people are using, make new friends, and get to know my neighbors.

"Even though everybody is different-minded, we are willing to listen and find our commonalities."

What do you think others could learn from the RVSA?

To listen. Take a minute to listen to other people. Be open-minded about their livelihood. Take in the information to learn and stop to think about it. Take the time to stop and talk.

What do you want people to be sure people know about the RVSA?

How diverse a group it is. Despite very diverse perspectives, everybody gets along quite well. They can draw the line between personal and professional and still be friends.

Even though everybody is different-minded, we are willing to listen and find our commonalities.

Compromise isn’t compromising beliefs or values. We’ve identified shared values and work together within those values. Thinking the same thing isn’t what’s going on. It’s finding shared space among all group members.

The people in this group take the time to come up with ideas to do things better and different. This is an innovative group.

What have you been surprised by in your work with the RVSA?

Seeing a diverse group of people willing to sacrifice a lot of time to pursue the values and vision of the RVSA. Especially at a time when this is quite rare.

It’s refreshing to see the folks who work for larger groups have the support to do this work. Nonprofit and government groups granted the workspace and time to make a difference in the Ruby Valley.

There are levels of risk and people have been willing to take the risk. This is an open-ended effort with long-term benefits in mind.

Because we are in the long game, it’s not easy for folks to commit. We recognize that many people in the group may not see the outcomes.

What is your hope for the future of the Ruby Valley?

I hope that my kids and other families have the opportunities that I’ve been afforded, like going fishing, producing a crop, and raising cows.

What is your personal theme song and/or theme song?

Robert Earl Keen, Feeling Good Again

This song is about a sense of place, knowing you're in the right spot and things are going your way.