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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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)

10. 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.”

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)