History of the Utah Section, Society for Range Management 1979-1984 Max Robinson 1985-1993

A number of committee chairs officers were replaced during 2008. The following were greeted as new Committee Chairmen and Section and

Chapter officers:
Jeff Barnes – Scholarship Committee

Steve Monsen – Awards Committee

Chad Reid – Section President Elect

Karl Ivory – Board of Directors

Chad Horman – Southern Chapter President Elect

Linden Greenhalgh – Northern Chapter President Elect

Our Summer Tour was a successful event with over 50 registrants. The summer tour was successful and informative. The tour covered very large areas, and lots of discussions at each stop. Highlights included a visit to Greenville Bench Vegetation Enhancement projects where Lynn Kitchen (NRCS) discussed the Beaver River Watershed Plan. Paul Briggs (BLM) discussed the seeding completed on the prescribed fire project. The tour visited the juniper removal treatments implemented to reduce the fuel load near I-15. On the second day, we toured the Milford Flat Fire. Harvey Gates (BLM) provided a good description of the fire, suppression, stabilization and rehabilitation of the fire.

The annual meeting was held in Provo on November 6-7. Over 80 were in attendance. The program sponsored a workshop titled “Management Strategies and Plant Materials for Restoration/Rehabilitation of Rangelands”, wherein expert around the state touched on research and management efforts. A total of seven graduate students participated by giving talks.

As of December 31, 2007 the Section had net assets of $92,854.23. During the past few months the Section’s investments have suffered significant losses. The finance committee will meet concerning the Section’s current investments. Because of the cost, Ron Togerson (Treasurer) recommended that we require only one accountant’s report each year. Ron also reported that the action necessary to maintain the Section’s tax-exempt status has been taken.

A total of 29 memberships in the section expired. John Malechek personally contacted all expired members and many rejoined. The section board decided that a one-year gift membership be given to nonmembers who are given awards by the Section and then be urged to keep up their memberships in the society.

The Rangeland Camp was held at Gooseberry Forest Service Educational Camp on July 28, 29, 30, and 31. Five students and five instructors participated in the 2008 school. Their local conservation districts sponsored the students. They learned about soil plant relationships, and why plants grow where they do. They went from deserts to the high mountains to check the differences in vegetation in each area. Tara Torgerson was the winner, and Jesse Malan was a close second. They will be representing Utah at the International meeting in Albuquerque in February. The Gooseberry Ranger Station in Salina Canyon offers the perfect setting to learn about the natural environment. We could not have a successful field school without the support of the Forest Service, the Soil Conservation District Boards, the instructors and the students. So thank you! The instructors and staff members this year included: George Cook, Fee Busby, Mike Ralphs, Kendal Nelson, and Ron Torgerson.

Four newsletters were sent electronically to section members in 2009. The website will be updated quarterly by a contract awarded to Mindy Pratt. Maxine Deeter work closely with Mindy to coordinate website updates.

Tom Monaco determined that there currently were not enough interested students at UVU and SUU to organize student chapters. During the Annual Winter Meeting, students from USU, UVU, and BYU competed during the URME and plant ID test. Winners included: Plant ID Team: 1 BYU, 2 USU, 3 UVSU; and URME Team: 1 BYU, 2 USU.

Craig Limesand moved to Texas and the Jeff Barnes accepted an invitation to chair the committee. The following Stoddard Scholarship recipients were given for 2009: Janessa Chew – USU and Daniel Zvirzdin – BYU.

Justin Peterson stepped down as chair and Steve Monson accepted an invitation to chair the committee. Awards presented at the Annual Winter Meeting were given to the following: Young Range Professional - Mark Madsen - Botanist, Dixie NF, Cedar City, UT; Rancher of the Year - Ray Larsen, Ephraim, UT; Range Manager of the Year - Bruce Roundy, BYU; Range Excellence - Lane and Daniel Little, Kanab, UT; and Presidents Award - Stewart Sanderson, Botanist, FS Shrub Lab, Provo, UT. Elections were held resulting in Chad Reid as the president-elect.

Chad Reid placed range reference photo collections online announced website through the newsletter.

Under the direction of Larry Litchthardt, Chapter by-laws that had been accepted by the members of the Northern and Southern Chapters were ratified and accepted as clarified by the board. Under these bylaws, the chapters will be led by a president and a president elect, each serving for two years in each office for a total of four years. This will require the election of a president elect every other year. For the Northern Chapter, 2009 is a catch-up year and the president elect will only serve one year before becoming chapter president. The chapters will continue to host the Section’s summer tour with the Northern Chapter hosting the 2009 tour.

Dana Truman felt the section was still struggling to get the word out about the SRM. In 2008 we her committee sent out 4 newsletters. The committee informed the membership via e-mail or snail mail if necessary about upcoming events and news. The major event of 2008 was that it was decided to hire a professional web designer to update our website. Tom Monaco pursued this suggestion and the board approved hiring and contracting a professional Webmaster to update and maintain the Section’s Web Page.