Student Activities Committee: February 1st, 9am-11am MST

Students are the future leaders of SRM. Thus, SRM knows the importance of student involvement and we have a committee designed to propel this engagement forward.  The student events and activities provide a great opportunity for high school, college, and university students to become involved with the SRM, and to learn more about rangeland resources and the field of range science. The various events and activities that the committee has are designed for students are to:

• Test their knowledge of rangeland ecology, plant identification and rangeland management;
• Synthesize information and enhance communication skills;
• Find camaraderie, friendships, and lasting relationships;
• Meet SRM members;
• Interact with range professionals and explore career opportunities;
• Gain insights concerning the functioning and working of the Society;
• Explore the ecology and natural resources of the annual meeting location.

Note to SRM members: the students represent the future of SRM: encourage a student to participate in an upcoming meeting today!

Chair: Rory O’Connor

Board Rep: Susan Edinger-Marshall

Committee Status: Open

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Livestock Foraging Behavior Committee: February 1st, 3pm-5pm MST

The Livestock Foraging Behavior committee comprises researchers using advanced sensors to monitor free-grazing livestock behavior to understand how management interventions affect foraging behavior. The goal of their research is to improve the utilization of rangelands by livestock. The committee holds annual workshops to showcase new sensors and exchange ideas on the use of sensors in research. This committee is open to all members with interest in livestock foraging behavior. Colt Knight colt.knight@maine.edu is the current chair of the committee, and Mitch Stephenson is the chair-elect  mstephenson@unl.edu. The committee’s webpage https://livestockforagingbehavior.wordpress.com/ has useful information on the handling and analyzing the massive amounts of data that sensors collect.

Chair: Colt Knight

Board Rep: John Walker

Committee Status: Open

RSEC: February 2nd, 8am-12:30pm MST

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Outreach, Communications, and Website: February 2nd, 1-3pm MST

The purpose of SRM’s Outreach, Communication, and Website (OCW) Committee is to disseminate information about the activities, goals, and aspirations of the Society to members and the public. The OCW committee, along with SRM’s outreach coordinator, are responsible for effectively communicating with the public, facts about rangelands and promote the mission of SRM: “Providing leadership for the stewardship of rangelands based on sound ecological principles”. The committee works with the Society and its Sections and Chapters to increase the visibility of SRM and elevate science-based rangeland knowledge to ranchers, land managers, state and federal agencies, institutions, non-profits, and others. Most recently, the OCW committee has been actively involved in: (1) the development of The Rangelands Partnership’s new platform, Rangeland Gateway set to launch in early 2021 (https://rangelandsgateway.org/); (2) a complete review and redesign of the SRM website (https://rangelands.org/) that will enable easier access to content; and (3) promoting the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (https://iyrp.info/) and engaging different organizations and governments to support this effort.

For more information, including upcoming meetings, visit their website at https://rangelands.org/committees/outreach-communications-and-website-ocw-committee/

Chair: Sarah Noelle & Amber Dalke

Board Rep: David Toledo

Committee Status: Open

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Nominations Committee: February 2nd, 1-5pm MST

The SRM Nominations Committee annually receives nominations for the office of Second Vice President and Board of Directors from qualified voting members of SRM or from any SRM Section.  After reviewing the submitted nomination packets and interviewing nominees at the annual meeting, the Nominations Committee selects 2 candidates for Second Vice President, and 4 candidates for Board of Directors and presents the list of candidates for the SRM election ballot to the Executive Vice President prior to the end of each annual meeting for approval.

Members of the SRM Nominations Committee are appointed by the SRM President (or his/her designee) for three year terms.  Nominations Committee members are normally selected to represent different geographical areas and professional occupations, thus providing a broad-based representation of the Society for Range Management’s membership.

Chair: Carlos Ochoa

Board Rep: Pat Johnson

Committee Status: Appointed

Membership: February 3rd, 8am-Noon MST; 4 hours

The Membership Committee is a key element in insuring that new and old SRM members are provided information of why belonging to a professional society is important to maintaining and improving the long-term sustainability of our rangeland resources.

The purpose of the Membership Committee is to develop a short- and long-term strategy to maintain current membership and recruit new membership to carry forth this assignment. The committee works with the Society and its Sections and Chapters to improve membership at all SRM levels. These efforts include activities such as coordination with Section Membership Chairs, Communications Division, and other avenues that present an opportunity to promote membership within SRM.

Most recently, the membership committee was very active in contacting lapsed members and trying to recruit and retain new members through text message, email, and social media campaigns. The social media campaign included inspiring pictures and quotes of what it means to be an SRM member from a diversity of members. The membership committee has also been in the process of increasing rancher participation and together with SRM staff are developing materials and outreach specifically targeted to our ranching and rangeland management community.

The Vision of the Committee is to have a sustainable membership working as a Team to provide information that has direct benefit to the many rangeland users. A major goal is to have a program where SRM members want to join the Society and can have a positive financial outcome and feel they are leaving a better rangeland than they found.

There will be a virtual meeting of the Committee during the 2021 Annual SRM meeting and other Virtual Meetings during 2021.

For more information contact:

Gary Frasier – Chair
972-290-3527
gfrasier@aol.com

Chair: Gary Frasier

Board Rep: David Toledo

Committee Status: Open

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CPRM: February 3rd, 10am-Noon MST

The Certified Professionals in Range Management Committee is charged with providing direction to the CPRM program. The primary goal of this program is to provide the means to improve the standards of professional expertise used in managing public and private rangelands. In addition, this program is intended to maintain the rigor, reputation, and utility of the CPRM program as an important part of SRM’s outreach. The specific objectives of the program are:

1. To provide rangeland professionals, government agencies, and the public with minimum education and experience standards beyond the basic requirements for government employment.
2. To insure that practicing, certified, rangeland professionals meet such standards to improve public confidence that our rangeland resources are well managed by professionals who pledge to uphold the Society for Range Management Code of Ethics and the Standards of Conduct who act in the best interest of the rangeland resources and the public.
3. To evaluate professionals through a critical peer review process based upon minimum educational, experience, and ethical requirements.

Chair: Jake Powell

Board Rep: Susan Edinger-Marshall

Committee Status: Open

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Awards Committee: February 3rd, 2pm-4pm MST

The SRM Awards Committee ensures that SRM awards recognize members and nonmembers who have made outstanding contributions to the science and art of rangeland ecology and management.  The Awards Committee solicits nominations for honor awards from the SRM membership.  The nominations packages are independently evaluated and ranked within each award category by each committee member.  The committee then forwards their recommendation for awards to the Board of Directors for approval.  The committee also annually reviews suggested improvements to the SRM award program and handbook.  The Awards Committee is comprised of at least nine members appointed by the First Vice-President of the Society with no section having more than two members serving at the same time.  Members are appointed to three year terms with terms staggered so that three members need to be replaced each year.  The Chair and Chair-Elect are appointed by the Second Vice-President, often after serving on the Committee for several years.  The committee meets in person annually at the SRM annual meeting, and carries out its business over emails and conference calls between annual meetings.  The SRM Awards Committee aims to increase the number of nominations for honor awards and to increase the diversity of the committee and nominees.  Recognizing people and organizations who have made significant contributions to rangeland ecology and management is a critical task within the Society for Range Management and promotes our profession.  Thus, it is an honor and a privilege to be appointed to this committee.

Chair: Kirk Davies

Board Rep: María E. Fernández-Giménez

Committee Status: Appointed

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Young Professionals Conclave: February 3rd, 4-6pm MST

The YPC works to strengthen the relationships between students, young professionals and experienced professionals within SRM to promote strength in leadership, education, research, and stewardship of rangelands. This mission implies three major roles:

1. YPC is a group for individuals that are in their senior year of an undergraduate program, graduate program, and/or in their first 5 years of a range-related job field. Involvement in YPC helps retain student and apprentice membership in SRM.
2. YPC will provide opportunities to help build relationships between students, graduate students, young professionals, and long-time members.
3. YPC is the initial liaison for undergraduate students, graduate students and young professionals seeking an active role and participation in SRM.

Chair: Kaelie Pena

Board Rep: Susan Edinger-Marshall

Committee Status: Open

Watershed & Riparian Committee: February 4th, 1pm-3pm MST

The WRC focuses attention, knowledge and staff work on watershed and riparian issues as related to rangelands. The committee functions to:

• Provide opportunities to share information and ideas, develop networks of people, and foster institutional relationships.
• Serve as a forum for discussing and addressing current events, issues and initiatives.
• Organize symposia bringing pertinent issues before SRM and other affiliates.
• Review and provide comments on legislative or policy proposals, research and other publications. Serve on task groups when requested.
• Provide recommendations to the Board concerning SRM policy and position statements and resolutions relative to watershed and riparian resource issues.
• Coordinate with other SRM committees and other professional societies.

Chair: Linda Spencer

Board Rep: John Walker

Committee Status: Open

CRMC: February 5th, 8am-9:30am MST

To improve the effectiveness of range management and provide the best possible professional assistance, the SRM developed procedures and standards for certification as a Range Management Consultant. The Society conducts a thorough evaluation of the credentials of applicants for certification to assure that those who become certified range management consultants meet the highest standards of the profession. Certification is intended to designate qualified professionals whose standard of consultation is in the best interests of the public and our environment.

Chair: Joe Franklin

Board Rep: Susan Edinger-Marshall

Committee Status: Open

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PPAC: February 5th, 3:30-6pm MST

Committees are the lifeblood of SRM. The official role of the Policy and Public Affairs Committee (PPAC) is to identify emerging issues that may be of importance, or interest to the Society. The committee has several responsibilities, but two of the most important include:  identifying pending, proposed and/or needed staffing, legislation, policy, regulations or program changes within any governmental organization that may impact the use or management of rangelands; and provide oversight on new and existing SRM Policy/Position Statements and Resolutions. Every policy related issue or challenge related to rangelands, whether governmental or internal, passes through the auspices of PPAC. No matter if it is riparian, wildlife, assessment and monitoring, or any other committee dealing with outward facing issues, it will run through PPAC. Position and policy statements, and resolutions all find their way to PPAC in order to make sure we as a society are current in the implementation of scientific applications and governmental policies before we make public statements. Our statements and positions have international consequences on the lives and livelihoods of millions of people and governments across the world. Therefore, what we say as a professional society must be based on the best and most current knowledge and expertise. PPAC provides that guidance. If you are interested in being a part of PPAC, please contact Chair: Dennis Thompson, 1dcrange@gmail.com, Chair-Elect: Morgan Kauth, morgan@countgrass.com, or myself, BoD Rep: Barry Perryman bperryman@cabnr.unr.edu and ask to be included as a committee member. Although PPAC is one of the Administration Division committees (which means that committee chairs are appointed by the 2nd Vice President) committee membership is free and open. Sign up today!

Chair: Dennis Thompson

Board Rep: Barry Perryman

Committee Status: Open

Advisory Council: February 6th, 8am MST

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Program Accreditation Committee: February 6th, Noon-3pm MST

The responsibility for accreditation of professional programs in range management education is accepted by the Society for Range Management. Accreditation of professional programs is a proven and accepted approach successfully used by such professions as medicine, law, engineering and forestry for several decades.

The objectives of accreditation include:

• Establishment of recognized minimum standards in education
• Improvement of the quality of professional education
• Identification of schools having programs meeting or exceeding acceptable standards.

Chair: Kim Stine

Board Rep: Susan Edinger-Marshall

Committee Status: Appointed

Finance and Endowment Fund Development Committee: February 8th, 10:00am-2:00pm MST

Endowment Fund Development

The Endowment Fund Committee is trusted with the objective of raising money for the Endowment Fund which ensures a strong and vital future for SRM. A primary function is its responsibility to conduct the silent auction and/or raffle held during annual meetings of SRM. Second, the EFDC promotes and defends the Endowment Fund, making recommendations for the investment and expenditure of endowment funds to reach a reasonable balance of safety and income.

Chair: Ken Fulgham

Board Rep: Pat Johnson

Committee Status: Appointed

The Finance Committee

The Finance Committee represents the membership in making recommendations for the management, expenditure, and generation of Society funds. They provide advice and recommendations to the President, Executive Vice President, and the Board of Directors on all financial matters of the Society, or any other matter referred to the committee by the Board of Directors or Officers. The funds of the Society belong to the membership of the Society and need to be managed and expended in the most beneficial manner for the Society as a whole. 

Chair: Urs Kreuter

Board Rep: Pat Johnson

Committee Status: Appointed

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Wildlife Habitat Committee: February 8th, 10am-11am MST

The committee was created in 1991 to address wildlife issues and provide a forum for SRM members to weigh in on public policy decisions.  Goals were formalized 10 years later with a  mission of making known the ecology and management behind wildlife habitat issues,  fostering relationships with other wildlife interests and  providing vision and solutions for wildlife habitat challenges. This mission has been addressed over the years by joint sponsorship of symposia with other professional societies and committees within SRM, and the publication and development of numerous symposia. Recent collaborations with The Wildlife Society are a great example.

The WHC promotes interaction with non-SRM groups to exchange views and to make others aware of SRM at the local and international levels. For example, a joint symposium was held with the American Fisheries Society at their 2001 annual meeting. The WHC has also sponsored events with other SRM committees, such as the Riparian-Watershed Committee and encourages joint meetings at the chapter and section levels of professional societies.

The majority of WHC efforts have been invested in publications and the development of symposia. The largest single publication was the book, Rangeland Wildlife. The vision of the committee was demonstrated by the publication of a sage grouse synthesis paper and an essay on black-tailed prairie dogs at the time when many western states were developing sage grouse and prairie dog management plans  when they were being considered for Endangered Species Act considerations.

Committee membership is open, requiring only attendance of the committee meeting at the SRM Annual Meeting or by written request. Please contact Kyle Schumacher kyle.schumacher@nebraska.gov or Russell Burton russell@y2consultants.com if you are interested.

Chair: Kyle Schumacher

Board Rep: Barry Perryman

Committee Status: Open

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National Association of University Range Program (NAURP) Heads: February 8th, 2pm-3:30pm MST

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Student Conclave Business Meeting and Social: February 8th, 6:30-8:30pm MST

The Student Conclave is designed to improve undergraduate presence and interface among the community of SRM.  Comprised of students from across the country, this committee coordinates with both the Student Activities Committee and Young Professional’s Conclave to create events within SRM that help students grow within the society and the Range profession. In the past, the Student Conclave has organized wildfire relief fundraisers, networking and social events, as well as hiring opportunities. These students leaders serve as ambassadors to the range discipline and the growth potential it has.

The Student Conclave Business Meeting and Social will be on Monday, Feb. 8th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM (MST). This event will include current officer introductions, elections of new officers for 2021-2022, and an educational guest speaker.

Chair: Chali Simpson

Board Rep: Susan Edinger-Marshall

Committee Status: Open

Grazing Lands Coalition: February 9th, 10am-Noon MST

The Grazing Lands Coalition Committee promotes the mission and objectives of the National Grazing Lands Coalition in keeping with the principles and policies of SRM. The Committee serves as a liaison between SRM leadership and the National NatGLC  Board of Directors . Members of the SRM/GLC Committee meet with the NatGLC Board of Directors at least twice a year to coordinate and promote activities and issue of mutual interest.

Chair: Jenny Pluhar

Board Rep: John Walker

Committee Status: Open

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Geospatial Science and Technology: February 9th, 1pm-3pm MST

The Geospatial Science and Technology Committee (formerly Remote Sensing/GIS) was established to track development of these technologies and funnel information about the capabilities of remote sensing, geographic information systems, global positioning systems, and new geospatial technologies to the members of the SRM. The Geospatial Science and Technology Committee primary purpose is to increase the familiarity of the SRM membership with Remote Sensing, GIS, GPS, and other new geospatial technologies useful for management of rangeland resources. If you have an interest in broadening your knowledge and skills in this realm, please consider joining.

This year, at the annual meeting we are hosting a UAS symposium and are working towards a line of work to produce standards and guidelines for acquiring, and processing UAS data.

Chair: Matt Reeves

Board Rep: John Walker

Committee Status: Open

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Targeted Grazing: February 9th, 5pm-7pm MST

The Targeted Grazing Committee (TGC) is a self formed committee of practitioners, land managers, researchers and extension personnel that formed in 2009. The purpose of the TGC is to serve SRM by focusing attention, sharing knowledge, and communicating information that will promote the use of targeted livestock grazing and advance the knowledge and skills required to help practitioners and land managers to better employ this technology to restore degraded rangelands, improve wildlife habitat and enhance ecosystems. The committee will meet once a year at the annual SRM meeting to:

• Share ideas, information, and knowledge
• Review and provide comments on resolutions
• Serve as a forum to discuss current issues
• Provide recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning SRM policy and position statements
• Plan and develop Targeted Grazing Symposia and Workshops for annual SRM meetings
• Coordinate with other SRM committees on issues of mutual concern.

View the protocol and three components to become certified at our web site: https://rangelands.org/committees/targeted-grazing-committee/

Our Symposium and Panel at the SRM 2021 Annual Meeting: Connecting Targeted Graziers & Land Managers will focus on what targeted graziers do and how to hire the best. We will begin with an overview of the new SRM Certification of Targeted Graziers and discuss the value of certification for graziers and those who hire them. Members of the Committee will present a brief overview of grazing ecology as related to targeted grazing practices and resources available through SRM. The balance of the symposium will be a moderated panel of targeted graziers from various regions of the U.S. and Canada. These graziers will share their work, how they pair grazing animal with the target plant for weed control, fire risk reduction, and vegetation management including a Q & A with symposium participants.

Be sure to register for the SRM 2021 Meeting and get these events on your calendar:

February 9th, 5pm-7pm Mtn
Targeted Grazing Committee Meeting

February 15th, 2:30-4pm Mtn
Connecting Targeted Graziers & Land Managers Symposium and Panel (described above)
Moderator: Clayton Marlow

Panelists: John Cubiburu or Cubiburu Livestock, Kyle Johnson of Diversity Landworks, Craig Madsen of Healing Hooves, An Peischel of Goats Unlimited and Lee Sexton of Sexton Grazing and Consulting

Chair: Claudia Ingham

Board Rep: John Walker

Committee Status: Open

International Affairs Committee: February 10th, Noon-2pm MST

Rangelands occur globally and as an international society, the Society for Range Management provides leadership for the Stewardship of Rangelands worldwide. The IAC promotes the mission of the SRM by providing information to SRM members on rangeland science and management in an international context and by informing the international community about SRM’s role and the opportunities SRM provides for professional development and participation in rangeland issues.

The IAC has been very active in providing travel awards for international members to attend and present at SRM annual meetings. The IAC has organized international symposia and has been actively involved in contributing to and promoting both the International Rangeland Congress and the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (https://iyrp.info/).

For more information and to get involved with this committee, join the IAC Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/InternationalAffairsCommitteeSRM/

Chair: Devin McGranahan

Board Rep: David Toledo

Committee Status: Open

Rangeland Assessment and Monitoring: February 11th, 11am-1pm MST

The Rangeland Assessment and Monitoring Committee (RAM) coordinates SRM efforts to provide professional leadership in the area of rangeland assessment and monitoring techniques and their application. SRM has position statements, policy statements, and other documents that address the science and art of measuring rangeland associated attributes using the most appropriate and scientifically credible tools at multiple time and spatial scales.

The RAM committee also monitors how new and old assessment techniques are incorporated into local, state, and national level government policies. Some measurement techniques are appropriate for specific applications and should not be used across broad spectrums. Others are robust in their efficacy and can be appropriately used in many situations. SRM’s aim, through the RAM committee, is to ensure that assessment methods are objective, current, scientifically sound, and consistent with professional experience.

Although all of our committees are important, the RAM Committee is an outward facing committee that ensures SRM has publicly recognized scientific credibility in the realm of quantitative and qualitative measurement techniques, and how they are applied. The RAM committee is an open committee and anyone may join. If this is an interest of yours, please contact either Bret Olson, bolson@montana.edu or Lamar Smith lamarsmithcrc@gmail.com.

Chair: Dr. Bret Olson

Board Rep: Barry Perryman

Committee Status: Open

PPAC: February 12th, 3:30-6pm MST