Moving Ahead in Rangeland Education Another Wild Idea Moving Ahead in Rangeland Education

Shift Focus Away from Courses Toward Outcomes Topics Areas Core Competencies Learning Outcomes

Focus on Range Courses basic principles of range management Coursework Required for Range Management Specialist (OPM 454 Series) At least 18 semester hours of course work in range management, including courses in such areas as: basic principles of range management range plants range ecology range inventories and studies range improvements ranch or rangeland planning Plus, 15 credits of Directly Related Plant, Animal, & Soil Sciences 9 credits of Related Resource Management Studies

Focus on Range Courses Range Ecology & Management Programs over time (1919-2000) have included: Range Biology Range Sociology Range Measurements Range Management Range Planning Based on to McClaran 2000

Focus on Range Courses SRM Accreditation Standards (2004) Introduction to Range Ecology & Management Applied Rangeland Ecology Inventory and Assessment Methods Vegetation/Habitat Management Techniques Rangeland Management Planning and Problem Solving

Focus on Rangeland Topic Areas Plant Identification Range Biology Communities & Ecosystems Succession & Disturbance Range Measurements Inventory Sampling & Monitoring Interpretation Range Management Principles of Range Management Revegetation & Restoration (Range Improvements) With Focus on Rangeland Ecosystems Grazing Management Range Planning Ranch Planning Enterprise Development Multiple Values (Fire, Wildlfie Weeds, Water) Range Sociology Laws & Policies Economics Public Interactions

Focus on Skills or Core Competencies Based on to Thurow et al. 2007

Focus on Skills or Core Competencies ●Recognizing healthy rangeland communities ● Quantitative and qualitative assessment of plant communities ● Developing land management plans ● Awareness of the structure and function dynamics of rangelands ● Inventory of land management units ● Application of spatial analytical skills ● Restoration practices ● Quantify trends and sustainable use ● Fire and grazing management ● Mastery of the process of solving natural resource problems, taking into account ecological, social, government policy, and economic contexts. Based on to SRM Accreditation

Next Steps in Range Education Develop Core Competencies (June 2009) Write Journal Articles on Core Competencies & Learning Outcomes Propose a Clearing House of teaching resources to meet clear competencies Apply for Higher Ed Challenge Grant (November 2009)

RSEC – Higher Education Grant USDA-CSREES HIGHER EDUCATION CHALLENGE GRANTS PROGRAM (HEC) “to stimulate and enable colleges and universities to provide the quality of education necessary to produce baccalaureate or higher degree level graduates capable of strengthening the Nation’s food and agricultural scientific and professional workforce.”

RSEC – Higher Education Grant Produce measurable outcomes aligned with HEC program goals and with USDA Strategic Objectives Promote innovative, educational practices within the food and agricultural sciences that improve how students learn Include a rigorous evaluation component that validates methodology

Final Products Outstanding and Contemporary Teaching Resources Assessment of core competencies that could be linked to Range Certification Closer alignment with SRM Accreditation Baseline for modification of 454-series standards or how they are evaluated Foundation for professional training courses

Next Steps in Range Education Develop Core Competencies (June 2009) Write Journal Articles on Core Competencies & Learning Outcomes Propose a Clearing House of teaching resources to meet clear competencies Apply for Higher Ed Challenge Grant (November 2009)