Special Edition: Range Management News for forest resource professionals published by the Society of American Foresters April 2018• Vol. 23, No. 4 Range Management: The Intersection of Forests and Rangelands ention range or rangeland, and some people will think of “Home Mon the Range,” the old western folk song sometimes called the unoffi- cial anthem of the American West. “Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam/ Where the deer and the antelope play/ Where seldom is heard a discouraging word/And the skies are not cloudy all day.” According to the Library of Congress, soon after Franklin D. Roosevelt was first IN THIS ISSUE elected president, he declared “Home on the Range” his favorite song. !"#$%&''()$*+,-.('$#/0-+01$#+2 Although the buffalo don’t roam Congress has agreed on a comprehensive much anymore, deer and the antelope package of legislation designed to fix the wild- certainly play across much of the West. fire funding issue and implement some mean- But deer and antelope don’t define ingful federal forest-management reforms. “rangeland.” Webster’s dictionary gives The agreement, which is part of the omnibus the term a broad meaning: “an open re- @?01',?0-$0'?($A?>B)30C$*934+01D$E&373F$!>377$G?/'(C$H!$:?7/(?,$@')3/(>')$%30)'(I?7+30$!'(I+>'D spending bill covering all federal agencies for gion over which animals (such as live- the rest of fiscal year 2018, passed both the stock) may roam and feed.” The Bureau the title of this introduction to the articles ident Barry Iriving. An article beginning House and Senate and was signed by the pres- ident on March 23. Page 2. of Land Management (BLM), which ad- on range management in this edition of on page 6 describes the Utah Watershed ministers 258 million acres of public The Forestry Source: “The Intersection of Restoration Initiative, which has treated Comparing Two Inventories land, mostly in the 12 Western states, Forests and Rangelands.” nearly 1.5 million acres of rangeland over Comparing two inventories is challenging, manages rangelands for “the use of wild- As you’ll read in the article starting on 12 years. An article on page 10 address- and many factors need to be considered. The life and livestock.” Rangeland includes this page, SAF’s Board of Directors recent- es the question, “Grazing and Timber: Is math can get pretty deep pretty fast. So it’s not prairie, grasslands, and vast areas covered ly approved a memorandum of agreement There a Happy Medium?” See page 12 for surprising that many foresters use shortcuts not only with sagebrush, but also pinyon between SAF and the Society of Range a roundup of range-management research and rules of thumb to evaluate inventory re- and juniper woodlands and forests of all Management (SRM); the article features and webinars. It’s okay to hum “Home on sults. This article looks at a common shortcut kinds, including in the eastern US. Thus, Andrea Watts’ interview with SRM pres- the Range” as you read. a and shows why it can be misleading. Page 14. *34'0$35$*+,-.(' “Diversity matters,” writes Allie Weill. “It’s an What Is Rangeland? A Q&A with Barry Irving equity concern: Most people want all those who want to and have the potential to be suc- SAF and SRM Sign a Memorandum of Agreement cessful in the field of wildland fire to be able By Andrea Watts to do so. But I’d argue that a diverse workforce is also necessary for forest management in the t the SAF Board meeting held on March 18, the Board of bership is concentrated primarily in the United States, followed 21st century.” Page 16. Directors approved a memorandum of agreement between by Canada and Mexico, more than 24 countries, including Zim- ASAF and the Society of Range Management (SRM). The babwe, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and Argentina, are represent- Call for VP, Board Candidates purpose of the agreement is to “facilitate greater communication, ed within its ranks. SAF seeks candidates for vice-president and cross-over, and member benefits between SRM and SAF. The focus is To learn more about range management and how this mem- three positions on the Board of Directors. to establish co-member benefits, allowing expansion of both Societies’ orandum of agreement came about, I chatted with Barry Irving, Page 18. memberships and reach. This commitment includes sharing relevant president of SRM. A member since 1983, he has been involved in scientific content, news, and information between organizations and range management for more than 35 years and is a lecturer and Wildlife/Fisheries Program Accredited among members benefiting the scientific professional community.” The Society of American Foresters has grant- SRM is an international society. Although most of the mem- Q&A !" Page 4 ed accreditation to the wildlife and fisheries management concentration of study within the wildlife and fisheries science major at the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee In- USFS: Tooke Resigns, Agency Shaken by PBS Report stitute of Agriculture. This is the first and only time, nationwide, that a concentration of a n the face of an investigation into sexu- the Forest Service’s State and Private For- workplace that remains hostile to female wildlife and fisheries major has been accred- al misconduct accusations against him, estry section, as interim chief. employees. They complained of a pattern ited by a professional organization. Page 19. ITony Tooke resigned his position as Tooke’s resignation came less than a of gender discrimination, bullying, sexual chief of the US Forest Service on March 7. week after the Public Broadcasting System harassment, and assault by crew members He had served since September 1, 2017, (PBS) published a March 1 report, “They and supervisors. Three women said they DEPARTMENTS when he succeeded Tom Tidwell (see Reported Sexual Harassment. Then the were raped after-hours by coworkers or “Tooke Takes Reins of US Forest Service,” Retaliation Began” (tinyurl.com/yct9x5ez), interagency firefighters while working for 2 Editor’s Notebook The Forestry Source, November 2017). The which did not mention Tooke, but de- the Forest Service. Many women alleged 66$ #3(')7$80-/)7(9$:';) allegations surfaced in January media re- scribed the results of a PBS investigation retaliation after reporting these incidents.” ports that Tooke, who is married, had en- into allegations of gender discrimination In an email to all agency employees 18–19 SAF News gaged in a consensual affair with a subor- and sexual harassment within the Forest sent the day he resigned, Tooke said he 19 In Memoriam dinate female agency employee more than Service by numerous employees: admired the courage of the women who <<$ %307+0/+01$=-/>?7+30$%?,'0-?( a decade ago. “In interviews with 34 current and had come forward. 23 Employment Ads Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue former US Forest Service women, span- 24 Forestry News Briefs named Vicki Christiansen, deputy chief of ning 13 states, the women described a USFS !" Page 2 USFS !" Page 2 had cooperated with the agency’s inves- ter,” said John Barnwell, acting SAF CEO. tigation into the affair, but that “what is “First and foremost, every professional Published monthly by the Society of American For- “Their stories are heartbreaking needed right now is for me to step down deserves a safe and respectful workplace. esters (SAF), The Forestry Source (ISSN 1084-5496) and reveal that we must do much more as Forest Service Chief and make way for a But, if we are going to attract and retain the provides SAF members and other natural resource to achieve a safe, positive, and respect- new leader that can ensure future success best talent, we must also strive to create professionals with news regarding developments within the forestry profession as well as the activities ful work environment for all employees. for all employees and the agency.” environments where all individuals with a and policies of SAF. Please know that Forest Service leadership On March 9, SAF issued a state- passion for forests are welcomed and em- is committed to investing in the changes ment saying that the Society “wishes to powered. Progress has been made, but real The opinions expressed in articles, commentaries, and letters do not necessarily reflect the policies or and resources needed to improve and be- use this opportunity to call on all forest change requires a sustained and coordinat- views of SAF. come much better,” he wrote. “Though professionals to work together to break ed effort from the profession as a whole. we still have much to do, we have taken down institutional barriers and create SAF is committed to working with the US Editor: Steve Wilent, (503) 622-3033, [email protected] steps to improve policies, accountability, safe, respectful, and welcoming work Forest Service and the broader forestry Associate Editor: Andrea Watts, [email protected] reporting systems, and training.” environments.” community to promote professionalism In his email, Tooke also stated that he “As a community, we must all do bet- and break down barriers to success.” a Editorial Offices and Advertising Sales 10100 Laureate Way, Bethesda, MD 20814 Tel (301) 897-8720 • www.safnet.org Correspondence: Address all editorial correspon- EDITOR’S NOTEBOOK dence to the Editor at the above address. Advertising inquiries should be directed to Christopher Whited at (301) 897-8720, ext. 110. Subscription rates: $61 for individuals in the US and M&'$N+1&')7$!7?0-?(-$35$%30-/>7 Canada $116 in other countries); $116 for institutions in the US ($173 in other countries). Subscriptions By Steve Wilent for members is included in annual dues. See tinyurl he revelations in the March 1 article one involved.