Sustainable Management of Rangeland Resources Initiative Team

The second meeting of the Rangeland Initiative team convened at 10:30 a.m., April 19.  The meeting was led by chairman Eric Peterson.  Other participants were Frank Henderson, Glen Whipple, Ron Cunningham, Blaine Horn, Mike Smith, Tom Heald and Gene Gade.  Tom Foulkes attended the second day, while Whipple and Cunningham left for other commitments.

First topic of discussion was "What's expected?" of and by the Initiative Team?

     General comments were that Initiative Teams  are intended to provide clarity, prioritization, and focus for Extension and its clients on issues and programs related to the major initiative...in this case, rangeland resources. Dr. Whipple stated that Initiative Teams are now performing much of the administrative role formerly performed by Program Leaders.   To some extent, Initiative Teams  have a "think tank" role...to "get out of the box" and "look over the horizon" at future needs and issues.

     Initiative Teams will, in large part, decide "what issues," Extension is going to be involved with, and "how" and "when" it will be involved.   This could include identifying research questions, providing information in many forms (including, but not restricted to, "dog and pony shows").

Second topic: Is there a process?

     Initiative Teams identify issues and collectively decide the response..."orchestrate" "product development" by the Issue Teams.  Liaison to Ag/NR groups and other audiences  and the State Coordinating Committee (5 initiative team leaders and administration).  Internally share what's going on with the rangeland initiative.

Goals and Objectives of the Rangeland Initiative as written in the draft Strategic Plan were reviewed and discussed.

The relative roles of the various parts of the Strategic Plan Delivery Model were reviewed: Basically, Initiative Teams accomplish the functions identified in the above discussion. The Coordinating Committee makes administrative decisions regarding resource allocation, priorities, etc. Issue teams accomplish the Program Development and Delivery. Area teams may be extensions of an Issue Team, charged with responsibility for implementing a program in a particular region of the state.

Review of Team Resources - Blaine Horn recently inventoried to UW CES staff relative to their expertise, experience and interest in Rangeland Resources.  That inventory has been transmitted via email to all personnel and represents the human resources available within the organization for this initiative.

Review of Rangeland Initiative deliberations at In-Depth in Laramie - Mike Smith and Gene Gade produced summaries which are included on the website.

The team reviewed and constructed a list of topics/clientele info requests related to rangelends that are frequent, recurring or current.  This listing is contained in the set of complete minutes

The team began identification of priorities by discussing and identifying INTERESTING CHALLENGES/OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXTENSION PROGRAMS.  This listing is contained in the minutes and is the listing which likely contains future thrusts.   Identified two major "umbrellas" for rangeland resources (range/water relations) (range/habitat relations) and gather similar or closely-related topics under the umbrellas.

DROUGHT ISSUE TEAM - The Rangeland Initiative Team formally acted to support the Drought Management Issue Team It is recognized that this is not strictly a rangeland issue and that it will require networking with other Initiative Teams (eg. Sustainable Ag.) as well as outside entities.   More than that, it's an early opportunity for a success story and a model for how an Issue Team can operate.  A framework was developed which should guide us in the drought work.  Reference the complete minutes for details.

NEEDS ASSESSMENT - Discussion was held as to whether we needed to undertake a formal needs assessment as part of the Rangeland Initiative Team's work, and, if so, how it should be done.  There seemed to be a general consensus that we needed input from outside the team. We basically dodged the specifics pending discussions with other teams and Susan James.

Next meeting SEPT. 27, 28.