Stewards of the Land - Jim O'Rourke

Jim and Lora O’Rourke have roots in education and the land.

Their careers involve passing their knowledge of natural resources on to others. They bring that passion to management of their ranch in northwestern Nebraska.

Just the second family to own the land (homesteaded in the 1860s) when Jim O’Rourke’s parents bought the ranch south of Chadron in 1950. They quickly erected a sign that reads “O’Rourke RuJoDen Ranch Wildlife Habitat.” It still stands today, as does the family’s commitment to the soil, water and wildlife habitat.

Jim and Lora O’Rourke both grew up working on ranches and have degrees in the science of managing rangeland. Since taking the reins of the property in 1988 they’ve put what they know about conservation into action.

Previously cultivated fields were seeded with perennial grasses. The soils along the Chadron Creek were stabilized with large vegetative buffer zones. Some trees were planted while…