From project planning to machine selection, a lot of work goes into planning the Create & Conserve contest. It starts with on-location interviews with the five finalists, where we ask them to share their vision — what they wish to do on their land.

Every June when schools let out, summer approaches, and temperatures rise, we get to work on Create & Conserve. With the help of Bobcat® equipment, we’re able to partner with Rick and Julie Kreuter from “Beyond the Hunt” to transform one contest winner’s land into a remarkable place where native plants and animals will thrive for generations into the future.

For the 2015 Create & Conserve Contest, we chose John Oxley’s picturesque Idaho property because of the variety of projects we could do. But what most influenced our decision this year was that it included erosion control projects we hadn’t done before and really wanted to tackle.

Most fans of the TV show “Beyond the Hunt” know Rick Kreuter as a big game hunter; he’s also a passionate conservationist. Kreuter explains where this passion started and the importance of conservation efforts today to preserve hunting for future generations.

In November, we posted our 2014 Create & Conserve contest winner video, shot on location at Keith Fortin’s rustic retreat near Whitehall, Montana. You may wonder, “What made Keith’s entry so special?” Answer these six questions to find out if your project is a Create & Conserve contest winner.

Why does Bobcat have such a strong interest in conservation? We are a North Dakota company and many Bobcat employees have roots in the rural communities of North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota. We share a respect for the land, the crops it produces and the livestock (and wildlife) it supports.