Project Number: 5370-11220-006-19
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 09, 2011
End Date: Aug 09, 2013

Objective:
The primary purpose is to construct the scientific foundation for the development of the theory and training in the use of Ecological Site Descriptions to enhance management and conservation of the nation’s rangelands. This intramural agreement directly supports objective 2 of our base project: Devise management guidelines, technologies, and practices for conserving and restoring Great Basin rangelands. The focus of the workshop is to bring together agency technical leadership across administrative levels to learn more about ecological sites and to develop the basic training materials and guidelines to transfer technology to the U.S. National Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service personnel on how to develop Ecological Site Descriptions for a transdisciplinary, multi-agency approach to ensure quality control and quality assurance when mapping Ecological Sites across the western United States.

Approach:
Funds will be used to help develop educational material to train federal agency employees and private land managers on the science behind the development of Ecological Site Descriptions. This material will be published by the Society for Range Management. The funding will also be used to host workshops for rangeland management specialists in how to develop, interpret, and utilize Ecological Site Descriptions through onsite field work.