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WYOMING RESTORATION CHALLENGE: A PARTICIPATORY LEARNING COMPETITION.
Author
Fowers, Beth
Mealor, Brian A.
Wood, Clay W.
Mealor, Rachel D.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2017
Body

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) has impacted millions of hectares in the western United States. Many management tactics are available for cheatgrass, but a single, consistent approach that works in all areas and situations does not exist. In 2015, an area dominated by cheatgrass was divided into small plots and various teams accepted the challenge to restore their randomly-drawn plots with a primary goal of increasing knowledge and awareness of cheatgrass management and restoration options. To aid in this endeavor, each team is allowed to use any legal method to restore their plot to a diverse, productive rangeland that meets the goals of livestock grazing and wildlife habitat. This demonstration plot format allows for direct side-by-side comparison of different restoration practices and fosters friendly competition and engagement of professionals with general public as they interact informally and through structured educational opportunities. Treatments fit six general categories: fire, mechanical, chemical, seeding/competition, herbivory, and bacterial. Teams are evaluated according to cheatgrass reduction, vegetation productivity, species diversity, cost of implementation, scalability, and education and outreach efforts. Plots were monitored for canopy cover and species diversity summer of 2015 and 2016. Final evaluations and award decisions will occur in 2017. Beyond the management itself, teams have been able to learn, experience, and teach. Students have put class theories into practice and shared their experience with other students, professionals, and the general public. Land managers and extension educators have used their best knowledge and are sharing with others while enjoying the friendly competition. While successes and failures have occurred for different teams, the more important goal of education and awareness is being achieved as discussions occur during field days, various tours, meetings, and articles where knowledge and personal experiences are disseminated.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM St. George, UT
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts