Jan-Feb 2006

Texas Section Society for Range Management Providing Leadership for the Stewardship of Rangelands Based on Sound Ecological Principles

January - February 2006 Volume 58, Number 1 President’s Notes Happy The Texas Section functions by nate deserving individuals for SRM New Year! It committees. Active committees make and TSSRM awards. SRM award is hard to be- for an active section. There will be nominations are due by April 30 at lieve that we many opportunities for interested the SRM office. Contact Dan Caudle are well into members to serve on a committee or if you want to nominate a deserving the month of task force during 2006. Butch Taylor individual. At the section level we January. It and Chad Ellis are serving as co- have a number of awards to recog- seems like chairs for the Del Rio Annual Meet- nize section members. We also need last week we ing. Contact them if you would like to be nominating outstanding ranches were at the to help with the annual meeting com- for the Outstanding Rangeland Man- Charles Anderson annual meet- mittee. I would also ask that you agement and the TSSRM-TSCRA President, TSSRM ing in South mark the dates of October 11-13, Outstanding Rangeland Management Padre. Bob Knight and the annual 2006 on your calendar. This is the awards. meeting committee did an outstand- date for our Del Rio annual meeting. I am honored to be serving as ing job with the annual meeting. I know the annual meeting committee President of TSSRM for 2006. The This is the time when we look will put together an excellent meet- board is committed to providing forward and set goals for what we ing. sound leadership to help the Texas want to accomplish in the coming The remaining 2006 committee Section meet its goals. year. The Texas Section Board of chairs are listed below. Contact me Directors and committees are also or the committee chair if you would Charles developing plans for 2006. Our win- like to serve on a committee. Contact ter board meeting is scheduled for information for each of the committee February 3 and 4. Committee chairs chairs can be found on the Texas Sec- have been asked to attend the meet- tion website (www.tssrm.org). The Inside Story... ing to participate with the board in a Activities – Paul Loeffler H Past President’s Notes Awards – Dan Caudle facilitated session on Saturday, Feb- H College Activities – Emmett Miller Watershed Handbook ruary 4. The session will help Released TSSRM to determine an approach to County Level Awards – Diane Arnold increase the public’s awareness of Endowment Fund – John Walker H Humphries Honored the importance of rangeland. Information and Education – H Hydrilla’s Resistance TSSRM has been preparing for Ricky Linex to Herbicide Membership – Mike Stellbauer the past few years to become more H proactive in our outreach. Under the Nominations and Elections – From Former Editor leadership of Jenny Pluhar and Barron Rector H Chip Merrill Receives Charlie Hart, we updated the admin- Outstanding Rangeland Management Golden Spur Award istrative handbook and made it avail- Wayne Seipp H Riparian Roots able on our website for all members. Planning – Bob Knight H Hello and Call for Articles Minutes and budgets were also Publication Awards – David Briske placed on the website so that all Public Affairs – Mark Moseley H What the HECK is BRIT? members could stay abreast of board Resolutions – Allan McGinty H US Forest Service Chief action. Under Bob Knight’s leader- Scholarships – Jason Hohlt Encourages Participation ship we took a look at our organiza- Youth Activities – Lee Knox in Professional Societies tion and made decisions on how to One area all members can and make TSSRM a better organization. need to be involved with is to nomi- January - February 2006 Grass Roots Page 2 Past President’s Notes First, I would like to thank Nick for the Section. planning process. Garza for all his hard work on the We had a great year financially The future is bright for the Texas Grassroots newsletter for all of these with profits coming from the SRM Section. President Charles Anderson years. Nick has done an outstanding Fort Worth meeting and the TSSRM has already started on several new job and has put together a wealth of South Padre Island meeting. programs that will help promote the information that can be found in the Membership is steady to slightly Section and bring us more recogni- newsletter archives on the Texas increasing while membership levels tion. If you see opportunities for the Section website at www.tssrm.org. in the parent society are on a slight Section to be involved with, please The newsletter is now in the hands of decline. contact Charles or Paul Loeffler, the Jeff Goodwin, so make sure you get Last year, there were two major Activities Chair. him any good articles related to “firsts” for the TSSRM. We held the Thank you for a great year. Texas rangelands. annual meeting as far south in Texas Bob Knight Second, I would like to thank all as it has ever been held, and the of my board members, committee board of directors started a strategic chairs, committee members and planning process for the Section. annual meeting committee for an This planning process will help guide excellent job last year. Bruce Healy us toward accomplishing some long deserves a big THANK YOU from and short-term goals and objectives. everyone. He serves as secretary, but Once the strategic plan is in place, it does the job of an executive secretary will also help with the budget

Texas Section Officers and Directors President: Charles R. Anderson, P.O. Box 723, Menard, TX 76859-0723 Fax 325/396-4666, email: [email protected] Past President: Bob Knight, Rangeland Ecology and Management, 2126 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-2126, 979/845-5557 Fax 979/8456430, email: [email protected] 1st Vice President: Paul Loeffler, Texas General Land Office, 500 W. Ave. H, Box 2, Alpine, TX 79830, 432/837-3457, Fax 432/837-3395 email: [email protected] Important Dates 2nd Vice President: Jerry L. Payne, P.O. Box 465, Henrietta, TX 76365-0465, 940/781-2250, email: [email protected] Feb. 16-18 Academy for Ranch Management Secretary: Bruce Healy, NRCS District Conservationist, 9229 CR 530, P.O. Box Burn School - 325-387-3168 67, Tynan, TX 78391-0067, 361/668-8361, email: [email protected] Treasurer: Robert Moen, P.O. Box 43, Sonora, TX 76950-0043, 325/387-3168, Feb. 2006 TSSRM Meeting Fax 325/387-5045, email: [email protected] Director: Hoyt Seidensticker, 634 Waring Welfare Road, Comfort, TX 78013- Vancouver, British Columbia 3605, 210/414-6603, Fax 830/995-5298, email: [email protected] Director: William “Bill” Pinchak, P.O. Box 1658, Vernon, TX 76385-1658 Oct. 11-13 TSSRM Annual Meeting - Del Rio, TX 940/552-9941 ext. 242, Fax 940/553-4357, email: [email protected] For more information, contact: Director: Timothy “Tim” W. Reinke, NRCS, 312 So. Main, Rm. 308, Victoria, Charles A. Taylor TX 77901, 361/575-9542, Fax 361-575-9537, email: [email protected] Director: Cody B. Scott, Angelo State University, Dept. of Agriculture 10888, San Sonora, TX - 325-387-3168 Angelo, TX 76909, 325/942-2027, Fax 325/942-2183 [email protected] email: [email protected] Director: Phillip N. Wright, 290 Ave. M, Hondo, TX 78861-1005, 830/426-3198, Chad Ellis - Alpine, TX - 432-837-5864 Fax 830/426-4491, email: [email protected] [email protected] Director: Robert K. Lyons, P.O. Box 1849, Texas A&M Research & Extension Center, Uvalde, TX 78802-1849, 830/278-9151, Fax 830/278-4008 Oct. 2007 TSSRM ANNUAL MEETING email [email protected] Lubbock, TX - Dates TBD Editor: Jeff Goodwin, 403 Pogue Ave., Eastland, TX 76448 254/629-1636, Fax 254/629-3269, email: [email protected] Grass Roots, 403 Pogue Ave., Eastland, TX 76448, is published bimonthly by the Texas Section, Society for Range Management. Address inquiries to Jeff Goodwin, Editor. Advertising is available for $25 per small ad per issue. Larger ads available upon request. January - February 2006 Grass Roots Page 3 Watershed Handbook Released Contacts: Dale Kemery, 202-564- The 414-page handbook is de- sures, and tracking progress once the 4355 (media only) signed to take the user through each plan is implemented. Anne Weinberg, 202-566-1217 (all step of the watershed planning pro- EPA is making this draft docu- other inquiries) cess: watershed monitoring and as- ment widely available with the pur- (Washington, D.C.-Jan. 6, 2006) sessment, community outreach, se- pose of having it used and tested by a EPA’s Office of Water has published lection and application of available variety of watershed partnerships, a guide to watershed management as models, best management practices, whose advice will be considered in a tool in developing and implement- effectiveness, data bases, implemen- developing the final version. Com- ing watershed plans. The draft Hand- tation, feedback, and plan adjust- ments should be addressed to book for Developing Watershed ment. [email protected] no Plans to Restore and Protect Our Wa- The handbook is intended to later than June 30, 2006. ters is aimed toward communities, supplement existing watershed plan- The draft handbook is available watershed groups, and local, state, ning guides that have been developed online at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/ tribal, and federal environmental by agencies, universities, and other nps/watershed_handbook. agencies. nonprofit organizations. This hand- You can order a free copy from “This handbook will help anyone book is more specific than other the National Service Center for Envi- undertaking a watershed planning ef- guides about quantifying existing ronmental Publications by calling fort, but it should be particularly use- pollutant loads, developing estimates 800-490-9198 or e-mail ful to persons working with impaired of the load reductions required to [email protected]. When ordering, or threatened waters,” said EPA As- meet water-quality standards, devel- refer to EPA document number EPA sistant Administrator for Water Ben- oping effective management mea- 841-B-05-005. jamin H. Grumbles. Humphries Honored with TSSRM Friend Award Raisers Association in Fort Worth. from the TSSRM members in order She has been on its staff since 2002. to reach thousands of ranchers each She is a member of TSSRM and TS month, spreading the range manage- GLCI. ment & conservation message in a She is a native of Kentucky, professional, yet down to earth way. graduating from Western Kentucky We were fortunate that over the University with a degree in public re- past three years, Ellen helped to pro- lations in 1983. She still has family mote the 2005 International SRM in Kentucky and never intended to meeting in Ft. Worth. She guided stay in Texas longer than two years. publicity protocol in the Ft. Worth She previously worked with Metroplex and beyond and provided American Farmland Trust, San insight on money saving ideas to help Marcos, in outreach & development, our Section to produce the third high- the Petty Ranch of San Antonio, pri- est attended meeting in the history of marily with the Heart Bar Deer Farm, SRM. This was all in the face of mas- the Brangus Journal (San Antonio) as sive budget cuts from both the gov- editor and before joining The Cattle- ernmental and private sectors. The man she worked with several range landowner workshops prior to the scientists, wildlife managers and meeting were a new venture this year ranchers on a number of freelance ar- and Ellen developed the publicity ticles for agriclutural and wildlife strategy to get the word out to the Ms. Ellen Humphries was award- publications in TX. As a conse- public. ed the TSSRM’s Friend Award. quence of those efforts, she is staff TSSRM appreciates the work Ellen is the managing editor of liason to the TSCRA Wildlife & Ellen does and recognizes her with The Cattleman, a magazine published Natural Resources Committees. this award. by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Ellen purposefully solicits articles January - February 2006 Grass Roots Page 4 Hydrilla’s Resistance to Herbicide Gives Scientists a New Challenge ARS New Service, Agricultural Research Service, USDA Scientists with the Agricultural The ARS studies in Oxford were controlling hydrilla include some in- Research Service (ARS) and a private conducted by plant physiologist sects and the fungal pathogen firm have encountered a troubling Franck Dayan and molecular biolo- Mycoleptodiscus terrestris, which turn of events in the fight against an gists Brian Scheffler and Albrecht when used with fluridone seems to invasive weed that’s choking many Michel. Scheffler now leads ARS’ increase hydrilla’s susceptibility to waterways in the southeastern United Mid-South Area Genomics Labora- the herbicide. States. tory in Stoneville, MS, while Michel Read more about this research in The researchers—at ARS’ Natural is no longer with ARS. the November 2005 issue of Agricul- Products Utilization Research Unit in Hydrilla’s ability to thrive even in tural Research magazine, available Oxford, MS, and with SePRO Corp., adverse conditions has led research- online at: a Carmel, Ind.-based plant-protection ers to dub it “the perfect aquatic http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/ management firm—found that a form weed.” Rooted in bottom sediments, archive/nov05/hydrilla1105.htm. of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) has it grows long, thin stems that rapidly ARS is the U.S. Department of developed resistance to fluridone, the reach the water’s surface and form a Agriculture’s chief in-house scientific most effective herbicide against it. thick mat. It was introduced to the research agency. They’ve pegged the resistance to a United States from Southeast Asia in * This is one of the news reports that gene mutation in the dioecious, fe- the 1950s near Tampa, FL. ARS Information distributes to sub- male form of hydrilla. So far, this According to Dayan, the resistant scribers on weekdays. mutation has been found only in hydrilla has increased treatment costs * Start, stop or change an e-mail sub- hydrilla inhabiting several Florida for affected lakes. scription at www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/ lakes. A monoecious hydrilla—a The new discoveries have spurred subscribe.htm form that has both male and female government and SePRO scientists * [email protected] | flowers on the same plant—that first and aquatic systems managers to www.ars.usda.gov/news appeared in the middle Atlantic states seek additional environmentally * Phone (301) 504-1638 | fax (301) has, to date, not shown resistance to friendly ways to combat the weed. 504-1486 the herbicide. Biological agents being studied for

From the Former Editor I was looking through my files well, helped me to strive to put volved as Jeff has. Volunteer your today, and I came across the first together a publication that the time for committee work, write an issue I put out in January of 1996. membership enjoyed reading. article for the newsletter, and par- Barron Rector was the new Sec- I am turning over “Grass ticipate in annual meetings and tion President, and the newsletter Roots” to Jeff Goodwin. Jeff is a programs. Be a part of helping looked quite a bit different than it Rangeland Management Special- TSSRM make a difference. does now. Times change, and ist with the NRCS in Eastland Thanks for letting me edit the hopefully, our Section changes and is eager to begin putting his TSSRM newsletter for so long. too. Change can be a very good brand on this publication. Jeff thing and I believe in the quote will do a wonderful job and I from Sir Winston Churchill “we hope all of those people who Nick Garza must take change by the hand or it helped me will do the same for will take us by the throat”. him. “Grass Roots” is in capable I want to thank everyone I had hands and I eagerly look forward an opportunity to work with over to receiving my Section newslet- the years. Each new President, ters. committee chair, members who I encourage all the “younger” submitted articles and critics as members of the Section to get in- Publication Awards Presented at Kerrville Meeting

January - February 2006 Grass Roots Page 5 Chip Merrill Receives Golden Spur Award from the Ranching Heritage Center Each year, the National Golden grazing management while maintain- Spur Award recognizes the lifetime ing property rights and personal stew- achievements of the nation’s top ardship. He was named Man of the rancher. This unique award, the only Year in Service to Texas Agriculture national distinction of its kind, recog- by Progressive Farmer Magazine in nizes outstanding contributions to the 1995 and was inducted into the State ranching and livestock industry. Fair of Texas Heritage Hall of Honor More than bringing prestige to an in- in 1998. Merrill and his wife, Vir- dividual, the award spotlights the hu- ginia, are the parents of three chil- manistic and scientific contributions dren – Suzanne, John Louis Jr. and of the livestock and ranching indus- William Lee. tries. The National Golden Spur Award John L. “Chip” Merrill of is a joint recognition by some of the Crowley, Texas, runs the XXX industry’s leading organizations, Ranch in Tarrant County. He was the among them the American Paint director of the Texas Christian Uni- Horse Association, American Quarter versity Ranch Management Program Horse Association, National for 33 years before stepping back Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Texas from administration. He served two John L. “Chip” Merrill Cattle Feeders Association, Texas additional years as Burnett Ranches of Crowley, Texas Cattle Women, and Texas and South- National Golden Spur Award Professor before retiring from TCU Recipient 2005 western Cattle Raisers Association. in 1996 as Director Emeritus. Chip Merrill received the Golden Merrill is a past president and fel- tional beef consumer survey and es- Spur Award from the National low of the International Society for tablished the national Integrated Re- Ranching Heritage Center in Lub- Range Management and has received source Management (IRM) program. bock on October 29th. Information the Frederick Renner Award, its He is a founding member of the na- on this prestigous award is available highest recognition for contributions tional Grazing Lands Conservation online at: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ to the profession. He was the first re- Initiative, established to improve ranchhc/home.htm. cipient of the W.R. Chapline Land Stewardship Award from SRM. He has served as a director and member of the executive committee of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Rais- ers Association and continues as a director and member of the executive committee of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and the Natural Resources Foundation of Texas, a trustee of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, a di- rector of the Texas Wildlife Asso- art ciation and Renderbrook-Spade Inc. The Golden Spur Honoree is a past director of the National Cattlemen’s Association and chaired both the TSCRA and NCA Research and Education Committees where he led the efforts to fund the first na- January - February 2006 Grass Roots Page 6 Riparian Roots Steve Nelle, NRCS, San Angelo, TX A large rainfall event several of densely rooted upright vegetation. and forbs, while above ground pro- years ago on the North Concho River Riparian plant species have different duction was about 4,700 pounds per Watershed produced rapid runoff and rooting characteristics than upland acre. out-of-bank flow. The floodwater plants. Root systems of riparian veg- A certain amount of erosion and looked like rich chocolate milk flow- etation are denser and stronger than deposition is normal and natural in ing down the river. A one-gallon upland species. This dense, strong river and creek bottom areas. How- sample of this runoff from the main root mass is one of the critical factors ever, when bank erosion becomes ex- channel was collected and filtered. It in maintaining bank and channel sta- cessive, it is a sure sign that erosion contained 12.8 grams of sediment. bility. The power of rushing flood- and deposition are out of balance and That may not sound like a lot, but water is immense and an equally im- the riparian vegetation is inadequate. this concentration is the equivalent of mense network of roots to support Three broad types of riparian veg- 4.6 tons of sediment per acre-foot and reinforce wet banks and riparian etation help provide needed stability: of runoff. This one storm event con- soils is needed. ·Colonizer plants very quickly tributed 7400 acre-feet of muddy wa- A study of the root system of an spread and put down a mat of new ter into O. C. Fisher reservoir, north important western riparian sedge roots by stolons or rhizomes (knot- of San Angelo, along with an esti- (Nebraska sedge) revealed an amaz- grass, spikerush, some sedges, water mated 34,000 tons of soil. ing fact: One cubic foot of soil con- hyssop, water primrose). Riparian researchers have shown tained 21 miles of roots! The stabil- ·Stabilizer plants are usually that the majority of sediment in rivers ity rating of this sedge community taller upright plants with strong dense is not coming from upland water- was equal to the stability of anchored root masses (switchgrass, Emory sheds but, instead, from eroding and rock. By contrast, a common upland sedge, sawgrass, eastern gammagrass, unstable banks, channels and flood- grass of the same region (Nevada bushy blustem). plains. They estimate that 80% of bluegrass) had about two miles of ·Riparian Woody plants with river and creek sediment is coming roots and a stability rating only 30% larger diameter roots function as “ri- from the riparian area itself. Stabiliz- as great as Nebraska sedge. parian rebar” (black willow, sy- ing channels, banks and floodplains Another study of a Platte River ri- camore, button bush, little walnut, can do a great deal toward improving parian system showed that root biom- baccharis, indigobush amorpha). water quality and reducing the excess ass was over four times more than “Riparian roots reinforce movement of sediment. above ground biomass. Root biom- riverbanks, reducing the reckless A riparian area that is functioning ass was about 21,700 pounds per rage of rampant runoff.” properly will support a heavy stand acre consisting of grasses, sedges

Hello and Call for Articles Jeff Goodwin, TSSRM Newsletter Editor I wanted to take a second and is not only to inform and pro- nouncement they feel would thank Charles Anderson for the mote the practice of sound interest our membership, opportunity to be the 2006 Rangeland Management, but as a please feel free to let me TSSRM newsletter editor. To forum to voice our praise and know. Nick Garza for his years of ser- concerns. If anyone has ques- vice to the newsletter, and for This newsletter is a very effi- tions and/or com- leading me down the right path, I cient vehicle to service our mem- ments regarding ar- feel I can say on behalf of the bership on a continual basis. ticle submission, Section, Thank you. With your help we can continue please feel free to call I would as well like to encour- to make the TSSRM Newsletter or email me at age our section members to sub- a success. Any member who be- [email protected]. mit articles for the newsletter. comes aware of a rangeland man- Again, thank you for the This is our newsletter, its purpose agement related event and/or an- opportunity. January - February 2006 Grass Roots Page 7 What the HECK is BRIT? by Ricky Linex Visitors to The Botanical Re- The first person to make extensive cause. …The National Society of the search Institute of Texas (BRIT) in plant collections in the area that be- Colonial Dames of America in the Fort Worth will be given a glimpse came Texas was Jean Louis state of Texas … had originated the into the history of early Texas bota- Berlandier who collected in the pe- idea of using the bluebonnet as the nists and the treasure trove of botani- riod of 1828-1834. Berlandier’s col- state flower and they were not going cal history housed at BRIT. Barney lecting began in 1928 between to let their favored blossom be left by Lipscomb, Assistant Director, has re- Laredo and San Antonio while on a the roadside for a cactus bloom or searched the earliest plant collectors Mexican Boundary Commission ex- cotton boll just because a bunch of who traveled across the rich diversity pedition to explore the area along the representatives didn’t know what it of Texas in the early 1800’s collect- proposed United States-Mexico bor- was. …A bluebonnet painting was ing plants that were unknown to der. Berlandier collected the Texas sent for, and one painted by Miss botanist of Europe and the early bluebonnet in 1836. Mode Walker of Austin was carried American colonists. These early Did you ever wonder how the into the chamber. We are told by botanists, with names you often rec- bluebonnet became the state flower Mary Daggett Lake that ‘deep silence ognize as a genus or specie, include of Texas? In 1901, the Texas legisla- reigned for an instant. Then deafen- Berlandier, Drummond, Lindheimer, Wright, and Roemer. Imagine the perils and hardships of traveling Did you ever wonder how the bluebonnet across an untamed Texas in the pe- became the state flower of Texas? riod of 1820-1840 collecting plants. Future articles will describe their ef- ture was in the process of adopting a ing applause fairly shook the old forts and hardships in Texas. state flower. “… in the House, de- walls.’ The bluebonnet had won BRIT employees are diligent in bates were flying fast and furious as hands down.” protecting and preserving existing one legislator launched his appeal for Unfortunately, due to confusion and new specimens that are part of his favorite, to be followed by more about common names and the fact the 1.1 million plant mounts in the eloquent protestations of the virtues that the legislators probably didn’t BRIT herbarium. Joe McIntire, re- of yet another. Phil Clement of Mills know there were six bluebonnet spe- tired Texas SCS Area Conservation- pleaded the case of the open cotton cies in the state, Lupinus ist who toured the facilities during boll, which he likened to ‘the white subcarnousus, which some felt was the 2005 International SRM meeting, rose of commerce’. John Nance Gar- the least attractive of the bluebonnet was shown one of approximately 150 ner, later vice-president of the United species, was officially designated as specimens he had collected in 1958 States, jousted in behalf of the the state flower, rather than the more and donated to the herbarium. These prickly-pear cactus flower. …Then beautiful and widespread L. texensis. mounted plants contained Joe’s up to the podium strode John M. As a result, “For seventy years the ar- original collection label. Green of Cuero. As Green made his gument kicked up dust in the halls of The BRIT library contains thou- appeal for the beautiful bluebonnet, the state Capital until the politically sands of rare, out of print plant tax- calls came from the floor asking, astute representatives … decided to onomy books and periodicals. The ‘What the devil is a bluebonnet?’. correct their oversight. In 1971, in library is available for use by those …’You must mean ‘el conejo’.’ order to make certain that they would seeking information on plants. BRIT “The rabbit” was a name used by the not be caught in another botanical is available online at www.brit.org/ Mexicans because the waving white trap, they covered all their bases … sida. tip reminded them of the bobbing tail by offering an additional resolution of a cottontail rabbit. ‘No, no, no’ that would include ‘any other variety Early Texas Botanist roared another. ‘He’s referring to of Bluebonnet not heretofore re- The following story is condensed what some have called ‘buffalo clo- corded’.” As a result, because there from a section on Texas botanist in ver’.’ … At this point a group of are six Lupinus species in Texas, BRIT’s The Illustrated Flora of stalwart Texas women rose to the there are six state flowers. North Central Texas: January - February 2006 Grass Roots Page 8 US Forest Service Chief Encourages Participation in Professional Societies Dale N. Bosworth, Chief, US Forest Service As stewards of the Nation’s for- abreast of the ever-changing demands tor, we will be more adept in continu- ests and rangelands, it is imperative that we all face. Professional societ- ing the essential resource leadership that we constructively respond to the ies provide an excellent opportunity role in managing the Nation’s forest many challenges of understanding, for us to come together with profes- and rangelands. protecting, and managing a wdie vari- sionals from other agencies, organi- With supervisor approval, I sup- ety of resources and values. To meet zations, and interests. They provide a port the reasonable use of official these various challenges, we must forum to discuss evolving resource time and resources for participation have a diverse and highly qualified issues, learn from others, and coop- by Forest Service employees in local, cadre of natural resource, social sci- eratively develop solutions to com- state, and national activities of pro- ence, and other professionals to as- mon problems. All of us are looking fessional societies. It is important to sure that our management approaches for ways to work more in a collabora- remind you that membership and par- are based on the best science. Over tive spirit and it is obvious that the ticipation in non-federal organiza- the last few years, the focus on wide array of professional societies tions must comply with ethics laws threats to forest and range conserva- offer a ready-made answer. and regulations., i.e., the Forest Ser- tion that cross property boundaries There are as many choices of so- vice cannot pay membership dues has prompted tremendous changes in cieties as there are disciplines and in- and employees interested in serving the basic framework of resource man- terest in the Forest Service. I support as an officer of a non-federal organi- agement principles. More than ever, it your involvement in professional so- zation cannot do so in an official ca- is important for professionals to con- cieties and encourage you not only to pacity. Contact your primary Ethics tinue to learn, enhance our resource belong, but also to be proactive in Advisor for assistance. If you are ac- knowledge, and develop innovative your involvement. Forest Service em- tive in a professional society, I ap- approaches to cooperatively conserve ployees are viewed as leaders within plaud your commitment and dedica- this Nation’s natural resources. our professions. Through participa- tion. If you are not, I hope you will I believe that membership, in- tion and involvement with profes- consider the importance of society volvement, and participation in pro- sionals from other federal and state membership in your continued pro- fessional societies are more important agencies, tribes, and the private sec- fessional growth. now than ever before in keeping