SAN ANGELO A symposium on “Ranching Aimed at Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Diversification of Enterprises,” otherwise known as RAWHIDE, is sponsored by Texas Cooperative Extension and will be held in two West Texas locations in August.
One program will be at the Abilene Civic Center Aug 4-5; the other will be Aug. 7-8 in the University Center at Sul Ross State University in Alpine. Registration starts at noon in both locations. Ten Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered for pesticide applicator license re-certification.
Ken Cearley, Extension wildlife associate at San Angelo and symposium coordinator, said the interest in wildlife and wildlife habitat enhancement in the ranching enterprise mix continues to boom across the state.
Cearley said the symposium is directed at ranchers, landowners, land managers, and others interested in good land stewardship.
“We’re directing the program at those who want to improve wildlife habitat so they can diversify into additional wildlife-related enterprises,” said Cearley. “The meeting’s purpose is to help give a renewed sense of hope to ranchers.
“We’re trying to convey the idea that ranchers can maintain their operations’ long-term viability by making a few well-thought-out wildlife/livestock concessions related to the stocking rate, grazing systems, and type and class of livestock utilized. The bottom line will likely be a more economically stable ranching business and healthier rangelands.
“We’re conducting these twin programs, offering the same format at two locations, to expose more folks to this information. The two host sites are quite different geographically, but the problems and solutions are fairly universal no matter where you are in West Texas.”
Topics addressed will include gauging rangeland health, using innovative tools for ranch planning, and understanding economic considerations related to the wildlife/ranching enterprise. Others session will address the habitat needs of wildlife and livestock, and such tools for habitat management as brush sculpting, rangeland water conservation, grazing management, and prescribed fire.
The symposium concludes with a presentation of case studies based on situations found in the Abilene and Alpine areas.
Pre-registration is $75 per person through July 23. Registration after July 23 and at the door is $100 per person. To register online, visit http://www.pware.com/1542. For registration by mail or fax, call (979)845-7692.
For further information visit http://texnat.tamu.edu or contact Ken Cearley at (325) 653-4576.
-30-
