Did you know that your soil is a living, breathing ecosystem and is easily one of the most complex ecosystems on earth?! There are billions (perhaps trillions) of organisms in a small handful of healthy soil, with millions of different species.
Range Concepts – Rangeland Analysis Platform
Check out our new YouTube Channel featuring videos and handouts dedicated to increasing County Extension Agent knowledge and enhancing landowner’s understanding of tools, resources, techniques, and strategies on rangelands!
Our latest post features application and utility of Rangeland Analysis Platform, an online free resources for understanding trends in vegetative cover on rangelands. Get the Rangeland Analysis Platform Handout here and watch the YouTube video here!
Managing Heat for Wildlife on Texas Rangelands
I am a really, really lucky Range Specialist! I get to have one of the most amazing jobs and work across the hall from a very intelligent Wildlife Specialist! We decided to combine forces and have recently published “Managing Heat for Wildlife on Texas Rangelands”. You can find the publication here. Check it out and download it! It’s free!
Ring-Fire Ignition
Click here for a fantastic short YouTube video of drone footage on a prescribed burn! This 70-acre RX Fire was conducted by Conservation Fire Team south of San Angelo. Thank you to all who helped make this happen!
-Morgan
Texas Section Society for Range Management YOUTH RANGE WORKSHOP
Our Texas Section Society for Range Management 62nd Youth Range Workshop will be June 26 – July 1, 2016 at the Texas Tech University Campus in Junction, TX. This is a very exciting opportunity for our Texas youth (14-18 years old, completed 8th grade, but have not graduated high school)!
At the workshop, participants will gain knowledge and skills in ecology, range inventory, range management, and evaluation of resources. More importantly, we teach public speaking, advocacy, and leadership skills so that each student is equipped with the knowledge to effectively educate others on the importance of rangeland management. I encourage you to forward the application and flyer to any youth that might be interested in learning more about stewardship of our natural resources. Applications can be found here. More information YRW 2016 flyer.
Who Started That Fire — Embracing a Fire Culture in 2016
Fire is fire. That said, I can tell you fire is the answer, but the problem is in the questions. Is it a wildfire or prescribed burn? The biggest question for range managers, is how does fire (planned or unplanned) fit into your ranch plan? Fire is a naturally occurring process that is not centered on if, but when it will happen on rangeland. As rangeland managers we have the choice as to the type of fire that occurs in our pastures. Waiting for a wildfire is neither a good offense nor a good defense, similar to the old Marine philosophy, which mountain do you want to die on? It boils simply down to proactive vs. reactive attitudes and perspectives. Check out Who started that fire – Embracing a fire culture in 2016 for more of the story featured in the Progressive Cattleman.