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Fire key topic at upcoming range schoolsKansas
"Principles of Rangeland Management--Grass and Animal Ecology in Kansas is a three-day event that will provide in-the-field, hands-on experience for attendees, and a chance to learn first-hand from other ranchers and land management experts," said Tim Christian, Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition, Inc., state coordinator. KGLC will conduct two schools with one at White Memorial Camp, Council Grove, for the school for eastern Kansas beginning Aug. 14 and running through Aug. 16. The west school will be held Aug. 21 through 23 at Camp Aldrich, Claflin, said Christian. A primary focus for the schools is the use of prescribed fire as a management tool across the state. Featured speakers this summer include (east school) John Bradley, rancher and veterinarian, Lawrence; Justin and Dana Thomas, botanists, Salem, Mo.; Bill Sproul, rancher, Sedan; Brian Obermeyer, The Nature Conservancy, Eureka; and Dale Kirkham, rancher, Eureka. Featured at the west school are Ted Alexander, rancher, Sun City; Jeff Hansen, Kansas Native Plant Society, Topeka; Virgil Huseman, rancher, Ellsworth; and Jeff Davidson, rancher, Eureka. Check the KGLC website for more biographical information on each speaker as the school dates near. Sproul is chairman of the Tallgrass Legacy Alliance, KGLC board member, and ranches just south of Sedan. His operation (and management philosophy) has been featured on tours and in numerous presentations in recent years. He manages for grass production for the livestock he takes in and uses prescribed fire along with mechanical brush control to reclaim and improve his place. He has a keen interest in managing for wildlife as well, especially the greater prairie chicken. Alexander is active in the Comanche Pool Foundation, Red Hills Prescribed Burning Association, KGLC board member, and ranches along highway 160 south of Sun City. He, too, takes in livestock, and has used prescribed fire and mechanical brush control to manage his ranch for grass production. He is conducting an extensive study of the effects of these practices on the stream flows and aquatic species diversity of Stewart Creek that originates on his property and flows north to the Medicine River. Alexander has been featured on numerous tours, talks, and was recently awarded the National Beef Cattlemen's Association Environmental Steward Award. Along with the featured speakers and ranchers, Kansas State University Cooperative Extension range and livestock specialists along with the Natural Resources Conservation Service range specialists will be on hand to present the latest information on management, production, economics, and ecology of Kansas rangelands. Attendees will learn about Kansas' rangeland ecology and how to manage their livestock and wildlife enterprises to maintain healthy grasslands. Most learning sessions are hands-on in the field exercises. The schools are co-sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, KSU Extension, Kansas State Conservation Commission, and the Playa Lakes Joint Venture. The school is geared for not only ranchers, but others as well, who are interested in Kansas rangeland ecology. Teachers, natural resource professionals, nature buffs, land managers, agricultural lenders, and other interested folks can find additional information the school out on the KGLC website. Interested persons should go to www.kglc.org and fill out a registration and the scholarship form which must be returned by July 18. KGLC will have scholarships in the amount of $150 available to most individuals wanting to attend the schools. This will reduce the cost of the participant to $100 per person ($50 for multiple attendees from the same outfit) from $250 per person. Organized in 1991, KGLC is a non-profit organization with a vision to regenerate Kansas grazing lands. Visit our website as listed above. For additional information on the 2008 range schools, contact Tim Christian, coordinator at 620-241-3636, tchristian@kglc.org, or Ken Sherraden, KGLC staff at 785-922-7061, ksherraden@kglc.org . 6/30/08 Date: 6/26/08
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