SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Basic Information
Additional Info

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Project No. and Title: WDC9 : Sustainable Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship
Period Covered: 10/01/2006 to 09/01/2007
Date of Report: 05/16/2007
Annual Meeting Dates: 05/02/2007 to 05/04/2007

Melvin George - University of California at Davis; Robbie LeValley - Colorado State University; Kristie Maczko - Colorado State University; Jerry Volesky - University of Nebraska; Linda Hardesty - Washington State University; Sam Smallidge - New Mexico State University; Roy Roath - Colorado State Unviersity; Charles Hart - Texas A&M University; Jeff Mosley - Montana State University; John Eisenberg - National Cattlemens Beef Association; John Buckhouse - Oregon State University; Sherm Swanson - University of Nevada at Reno; Roger Banner - Utah State University; John Winder (Administrative Advisor) - Washington State University;

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The Western Development Committee #9 met for the first time in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 3, 2007. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a proposal for submission to RCIC for approval of a new coordinating committee focused on rangeland and watershed management. Attendees represented ten land grant institutions (NM, TX, NE, UT, CO, MT, CA, WA, OR, NV) along with one allied organization (National Cattlemens Beef Association). Dr. John Buckhouse, Oregon State University served as acting chair and facilitated the meeting. Sub-committees worked to develop goals, objectives, and an educational plan. The committee developed the following goals to frame the outcomes expected from the efforts of the proposed coordinating committee: 1) to organize range extension educators into a more cohesive group; 2) to identify highly successful programs and expand them in scope and location; 3) enhance extension educational capacity by exchanging curricula and expertise via traditional and electronic methods; 4) improve rangeland and watershed stewardship; and 5) increase awareness of the importance of rangelands among youth and urban audiences. Specific deliverables planned by the committee include the following: " Conduct a needs assessment within each state to identify existing and emerging issues. " Prioritize identified needs and publish results for stakeholders throughout the region. " Create an annotated biography of current range extension programs in the West. " Identify innovative extension programs and highlight in Rangelands. " Actively share and collaborate across the region and beyond. " Host a regional Range Management School in Montana to facilitate sharing and learning among range professionals. " Host a symposium at the Society for Range Management annual meeting about emerging issues and successful extension programs. " Develop email lists and web-based delivery mechanisms to support rapid communications among practitioners in the West. " Maintain close contact with allied organizations. John Buckhouse agreed to continue as the chair of the committee and to oversee submission of the proposal to NIMSS.