Society for Range Management—59th Annual Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Welcome To the Society for Range Management’s 59th Annual Meeting and Trade Show Table of Contents Welcome ................................................................................................................................... 3 Entertainment......................................................................................................................... ...7 Program At-A-Glance............................................................................................................... 8 Traveling to Canada................................................................................................................ 10 Map of Vancouver .................................................................................................................. 11 Traveling to and Around Vancouver ...................................................................................... 12 Useful information for Visitors............................................................................................... 15 Shipping and Bringing Materials into Canada........................................................................ 16 Hotel Information.................................................................................................................... 17 Registration Information and Forms....................................................................................... 20 Trade Show Information......................................................................................................... 25 Sponsorship Opportunities...................................................................................................... 26 Board, Council and Committee Meetings............................................................................... 27 Administrative Room Assignments ........................................................................................ 28 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants....................................................................................... 29 Photo Exhibit Opportunity...................................................................................................... 31 Non-Technical Special Events/Activities ............................................................................... 32 Special Events At-A-Glance................................................................................................... 36 1 Society for Range Management—59th Annual Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ On-Your-Own Activities ........................................................................................................ 38 Technical Program.................................................................................................................. 40 Young Professional Conclave................................................................................................. 51 Technical Tours ...................................................................................................................... 52 Student Activities.................................................................................................................... 54 High School Youth Forum...................................................................................................... 57 Undergraduate and Graduate Student Activities..................................................................... 58 Rangelands to Rainforest: A Welcoming (Plenary Session) ................................................. 59 SRM Officers.......................................................................................................................... 61 SRM Headquarters Staff......................................................................................................... 62 SRM Planning Committee .............................................................................Inside Back Cover The photographs found throughout this publication are used with permission, courtesy of Tourism Vancouver, Don Blumenauer, Greg Tegart, Darren Bruhjell, Allen Taylor 2 Society for Range Management—59th Annual Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ On behalf of the Government of British Columbia, I am pleased to welcome you to our prov- ince. Although the rangelands that are the focus of your meetings are distant from Vancouver’s city centre, their benefits are visible all around us: in our food, in our economy, and in our cul- ture. B.C.’s rangelands have played a key role in developing this Province. Since the Gold Rush, they have sustained our growing economy and population. The ranching community remains an integral part of life in rural B.C. Ecologically, our rangelands are home to a great diversity of wildlife and plant communities. From open grasslands to forested rangelands, these ecosystems contribute to the environmental richness for which this province is renowned. This government recognizes the importance of our rangelands and the ranching industry. We have made a renewed commitment to the livestock industry, and delivered on that commitment in a new Range Act. We've created a reorganized, consolidated Range Branch that will focus on the needs of this sector and strengthen relationships within government and with stakeholders. We’ve got more work to do, and are doing so in consultation with the ranching industry and the public. We look to your Society for its leadership and professionalism on issues relating to the conservation and management of the world’s rangelands. Best wishes for a successful conference and an enjoyable stay here in British Columbia. I look forward to welcoming you back to Vancouver as we host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Sincerely Rich Coleman Minister of Forests and Range 3 Society for Range Management—59th Annual Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 Society for Range Management—59th Annual Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Pacific Northwest Section Society for Range Management Fellow Members and Guests, On behalf of the Pacific Northwest Section, it is our privilege to welcome you to the 59th Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management to be held on February 12-17, 2006 in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. There are two world class hotels ready to welcome and insure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable visit. The Hyatt Regency Vancouver and the Fair- mont Hotel Vancouver are in the heart of Vancouver overlooking the mountain rimmed shoreline with unsurpassed shopping, entertainment and restaurants at the doorsteps. The Hotels are located across the street from each other for con- venient access to the trade show, symposia, workshops, meetings and other events. Our theme this year, “Rangelands to Rainforests”, reflects the diversity of range- lands, disciplines, issues and opportunities we face as rangeland stewards. With much gratitude to the many dedicated Pacific Northwest Section members who are working hard on the various committees, the SRM Board members and Den- ver staff, I am confident a first class program of events and meetings will make the 59th Annual Meeting memorable. Please come and experience the hospitality, friendliness and beauty of the North- west. See you there! Sincerely, Bob Drinkwater Pacific Northwest Section President 2006 5 Society for Range Management—59th Annual Meeting ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Welcome Members and Friends of the Society for Range Management: The Society for Range Management takes great pride and joy in extending our invita- tion to the 59th Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia. SRM is excited once again to be holding our meeting on Canadian provincial soil. In addition to having hosted several sum- mer meetings of the SRM, the 59th Annual Meeting marks the third time in the history of our Society that Canada has hosted the Annual Meeting (twice in Alberta and now in British Co- lumbia). What a celebration they have in store for us! The theme “Rangelands to Rainforests” emphasizes our interest in the diversity of natu- ral resources throughout the globe and the opportunity to share the information, experiences and technology available today and in the future. “Rangelands to Rainforests” offers an exciting range of activities, events, workshops and tours which also promise great networking opportu- nities. Your hosting Section is committed to making this meeting a great success and has pro- vided