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DEVELOPING THE NEXT RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2018-2022
Author
Dalke, Amber
Hutchinson, Barbara
Merrigan, Sheila
Ruyle, George
Tanaka, John
Thorne, Mark
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2018
Body

USDA Renewable Resource Extension Act (RREA) appropriates approximately eight percent of the RREA budget to competitive National Focused Fund projects with the remainder being allocated to state Extension programs through a formula.� These projects aim to expand the reach of forestry and rangeland�Extension�programs through better coordination and delivery, use of innovative technologies, and development of easily replicable program models.� RREA uses a Strategic Plan to outline core values and includes descriptions of natural resource issues, measurements, and reporting targets. While the underlying premise of past plans remain relevant today, there are new understandings of persistent natural resource issues and increased attention on innovations in program delivery using methodologies and communication technologies that engage people more directly.� Thus, it is timely to undergo a process for incorporating these new program delivery methods into the next RREA five-year strategic plan. To understand changing trends in Extension activities and priorities, a national survey was created and distributed to Extension professionals focusing on forestry and rangelands on private and public lands.� Survey results from approximately 420 individuals determined the nine areas of interest in the new strategic plan including: landowner engagement, public awareness, intergenerational transfer, ecosystem services, invasive species, wildlife habitat and management, water and wetlands, wildfire, and rural economics. �The survey also revealed information about current and future trends in program evaluation, technology used within programs, and teaching approaches and methods.� These results will assist Extension professionals prioritize programs and raise awareness about innovation in technology, evaluation, and teaching approaches. The completed strategic plan will be available in digital and print format for ease of access.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Reno, NV
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts