Registration is Open for the Annual Summit
You are invited to attend the 7th Annual California Rangeland Conservation Coalition Summit and Rangeland Science Symposiumon January 19-20, 2012 in Davis, California titled Ecosystem Services in Practice: “Featuring the Multiple Public Benefits We Receive from Rangelands”. The first day of the event will be devoted to science, featuring recent rangeland research from throughout California. Day two will follow the traditional Summit format with more research presentations, ranchers sharing their stories and overviews of successful collaborative conservation initiatives, along with built-in networking opportunities. Learn what today's ranchers are doing for California's natural resources and how grazing is an important landscape management tool at this annual gathering of ranchers, environmentalists, researchers, elected officials and natural resources agency staff. The event will feature collaborative rangeland conservation in California, partnership models from around the country, ranching economics, the latest research on the environmental benefits of grazing and more.
To view the complete agenda visit: http://www.carangeland.org/home/2012summit.html
To register today visit: http://store.calcattlemen.org/summit.aspx
Rangeland Coalition Committee Update
- Steering Committee –The Steering Committee met on December 1, 2011. During this meeting rancher Chet Vogt, from Elk Creek was unanimously selected by the Steering Committee to serve as the chair for 2012. Also during this meeting, PRBO Conservation Science was confirmed as one of annual appointed rotating seats on the Steering Committee. Lastly the committee finalized the Rangeland Coalition Guiding Principles click here for a copy.. One rotating seat on the Steering Committee is open to Coalition signatories, if you are interested in participating on this committee or would like more information on the meetings please contact Pelayo Alvarez at pelayo@carangeland.org.
- Summit Planning Committee– The Summit planning committee is set to meet via conference call on Wednesday, December 7, 2012 at 1 pm. For more information on this committee please contact Tracy Schohr at tracy@carangeland.org.
- Presentations – The Rangeland Coalition activities and future goals were presented last month at the California Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention, this week at the California Woolgrowers Board meeting. In addition, staff is set to present at the California Farm Bureau Federation meeting next week. If you are coordinating meetings or have suggestions for presentation from the Rangeland Coalition regarding the coalition, activities or on the environmental benefits of grazing please contact Pelayo Alvarez at pelayo@carangeland.org or Tracy Schohr at tracy@carangeland.org.
Draft DFG Strategic Vision
The California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision Executive Committee released the draft interim strategic vision for public review. This document is the first draft of potential recommendations for a strategic vision for the California Department of Fish and Game and the California Fish and Game. The draft interim strategic vision is seeking public input on the framework for a strategic vision, where potential core values, underlying principles, goals and objectives are identified and intended to initiate a public conversation. The ideas in the draft document have not been finalized in any way and are meant for discussion purposes only!
The Rangeland Coalition is considering the ability to coordinate mutual agreed upon comments that align with the Rangeland Coalition Strategic Plan. If you have comments or questions regarding this please contact Tracy Schohr at tracy@carangeland.org.
For more information on providing comments please click here. In addition, there are public meetings that are set throughout California for the week of December 5, 2012. Click here for more details on the public meetings.
Outstanding Resource Conservation Districts Awards
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has honored four California Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) as "Outstanding Districts of the Year." The honors were presented at NRCS’s partnership awards luncheon held during the 66th annual California Association of Resource Conservation Districts (CARCD) conference in Stockton on November 9. The Outstanding Districts of the Year include: Glenn County, San Joaquin County, Placer County and the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains. Many of the district’s projects and programs include pollinator conservation work on farms, invasive species control, riparian restoration and financial planning workshops for beginning farmers and ranchers among others. Board members and staff from the RCDs were on-hand to accept the prestigious awards presented by NRCS State Conservationist Ed Burton in recognition of the Districts’ leadership in innovation, outreach to stakeholders, furthering science in conservation, and reaching historically underserved communities. For more information click here
EcoFarm Conference
February 1-4
Pacific Grove, Calif.
The EcoFarm Conference meets every year to create, maintain, and promote healthy, safe, and just food farming systems. With over 1,500 attendees, the three days yield myriad opportunities for networking with colleagues, discovering the newest ecological agricultural development and techniques, and building skills for individuals and agricultural communities. This year over 60 workshops will be offered featuring a comprehensive array of technical sessions for farmers, ranchers, handlers, marketers, activists, students, and educators. Evening events include tastings, mixers, live entertainment, and more.
For more information click here
Job Opportunity
The Nature Conservancy : Lead Scientist – North and Central Coast Region
The Lead Scientist for the North and Central Coasts Region of California provides conservation science leadership for The Nature Conservancy, by effectively managing and mentoring a team of scientists and coordinating with a diverse team of non-scientist conservation professionals, to ensure that the conservation projects, priorities, and policies planned and implemented across the region have robust scientific foundations and achieve the greatest possible conservation outcomes. S/he is responsible for delivering conservation science tools, biodiversity data and field services, technical support and training and development of best practices to Conservancy staff and partners.
For more information click here
Job Opportunity
Pt. Reyes National Seashore
The National Park Service is seeking a Rangeland Management Specialist (Term) GS-0454-11 in Marin County for the Point Reyes National Seashore. The incumbent serves as the principal contact and technical advisor for all rangeland resources, including preparing, revising and implementing multi-use rangeland management plans. The incumbent is the liaison between park agricultural tenants, some of whose families have ranched on the Point Reyes peninsula for generations, and park staff for all matters relating to range management and rangeland resource stewardship. For more information click here.
New Signatory
The California Rangeland Resolution continues to attract new signatories. The Bay Area Open Space Council adopted the CA Rangeland Resolution this week. The Resolution is the foundation of the California Rangeland Conservation Coalition. For a complete list of signatories with website links or a copy of the California Rangeland Resolution with signatories please click here.
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