Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Range Management for New Mexico (Sierra County)

Plan Goal

Increase productivity and knowledge of local area livestock producers through the use of research based best-practices that will produce positive sustainable agriculture for Sierra County.

Situation Statement

Rangeland conditions in New Mexico as of 2004 were considered 81 percent very poor to poor and have had increasing pressures from public interest and encroaching development. Drought conditions over the past 3 years have decreased the productivity and environmental conditions of Sierra County and have had an adverse effect on local ranchers and the rangeland sustainability. Land Management agencies have decreased allotment numbers for livestock which will decrease revenues for local livestock producers. Extensions role through agricultural education will assist in converting research based practices to realized long-term outcomes that should help to offset the detrimental impact that local citizens are faced with.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience is composed of ranchers, wildlife enthusiasts, environmental groups, rangeland management agencies, land owners, and concerned citizens. Information will be distributed through extension publications, workshops, presentations, bulletins, hand-outs, and verbal communication with interested individuals that have a stake hold in rangeland management.

Short-Term Objectives

Participants will be knowledgeable of range monitoring techniques and be able to identify range conditions.

Stakeholders will understand research based wise-use practices and management techniques.

Cliental will be able to differentiate between native, noxious, and invasive plants particular to Sierra County with 50% accuracy.

Medium-Term Objectives

Participants will be able to monitor range conditions as well as native, noxious, and invasive plants that effect range ecosystems and begin to develop management strategies.

Stakeholders will be able to implement wise-use practices for improved rangeland management and take appropriate management actions.

Long-Term Objectives

Stakeholders will initiate their own range monitoring program for invasive and noxious weeds and develop management strategies that promote wise-use practices that will improve environmental conditions for all stakeholders involved.

Participants will develop improved management skills that will assist in better communication between all stakeholder groups and land management agencies.

Evaluation Plan

Stakeholders will be polled one year after attending to determine if monitoring program is effective in identifying negative range conditions. Participants in workshops will be polled through a questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and knowledge gained.