Increased demand for ESDs both internally and externally, as well as NRCS priorities for accelerated ESD development, highlight the need for a consistent, well-organized training plan and curriculum which bridges the gap between emerging science, technical standards, and development and use of ESDs. NRCS must determine the right combination of instructional formats to balance course requirements, the needs of learners, and the restrictions of time and money in order to develop the most effective and efficient curriculum. In 2011, a White Paper was developed by a group of NRCS technical specialist recommending the establishment of an Ecological Site Training Committee. The White Paper included a brief training plan. Subsequently, a National Ecological Site Training Team (NESTT) was established in May, 2013. The original charge to the Team was to 1)identify the target audiences for training, 2)identify training topics 3) evaluate existing training materials 4)identify methodology for training 5)identify job series, grade level appropriate training 6)identify sources of training and related costs 7)develop assessments for training 8) identify partnerships in training 9)develop a strategic plan and training structure and 10)develop an ESD marketing plan. The Team adopted an expanded structure consisting of an Executive Committee, Curriculum Managers and Lesson Plan Developers. Johanna Pate and Craig Busskohl, NESTT co-chairs will discuss the status of NRCS ESI/ESD training opportunities, format and availability. They will discuss the roles of the Executive Committee, Curriculum Managers and Lesson Plan Developers and report on the tasks completed.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.