Teams of students in the California State University, Chico College of Agriculture placed fourth and seventh, respectively, in a rangeland management competition during the annual Society for Range Management meeting in Denver in mid-February.

The Rangeland Cup competition is a team problem-solving activity designed to promote critical thinking and collaboration on current topics in rangeland ecology and management. This year, teams were asked to create an informational poster focusing on management practices to mitigate population increase and the stress on agricultural production.

Placing fourth in the competition, Timothy Young, Devonie Plummer, and Garret Bunyard presented their poster titled “The Range Zone Initiative.” Kelley Duggan, Megan Banwarth, Tara Burrone, and Tania Burrone placed seventh with their poster, “Biotech and Rangeland Management for Cattlemen.”

Students competed against a total of 14 teams from universities across North America.

Involved in range-based research since her freshman year, Duggan has gained a unique perspective on research and rangeland management.

“Coming from the Oregon desert with family ranching in Nevada, I’ve really come to appreciate and see the importance of range management. We’re stewards of the land and should treat it that way,” she said. “Travelling to SRM was a great experience where we got to network and meet like-minded people that were so passionate and welcoming.”

Related:Kids learn about ag at Chico State farm

Student Conclave events

In addition, the meeting allowed students to participate in the Student Conclave events, and attend informational sessions, workshops, and symposia all with the focus of managing global rangelands.

Animal science professor Kasey DeAtley coached the teams and accompanied them on the trip.

“Getting to see students experience their passion on a broader scale and meet people who they only have read literature from broadens their perspective to different ways that they can get involved in the scientific community and help solve the big issues we are facing as a society. Being able to help students travel to professional meetings and see that growth is one of the favorite parts of my position,” DeAtley said.

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