KACD 2024 Range Symposium

Defending and Restoring Kansas Rangelands 

Mike Beam, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Agriculture

• Secretary Mike Beam, with decades of leadership in policy and public relations for farmers and ranchers, shared their journey from viewing grasslands as mere pasture to understanding their critical ecological and economic value. They highlight the urgent need to address challenges like woody plant encroachment, which has caused the loss of hundreds of thousands of acres in Kansas, threatening biodiversity, livestock productivity, and even human health due to increased cedar pollen.  

• Emphasizing the wealth of data available, the speaker calls for proactive, collaborative conservation efforts to prevent further degradation. They advocate for grassroots movements, education, and local initiatives to restore grasslands, protect endangered species, and sustain both the environment and rural economies. Kansas, they believe, can lead the way in this vital effort. 

Cade Rensink, District Extension Director, Kansas State University 

• Cade is a landowner and educator passionate about natural resource stewardship and sustainable ranch management. Reflecting on his role as an educator, rancher, and land manager in Kansas, he highlighted the unique beauty and diversity of the state’s grasslands and their ecological significance.  
• Emphasizing the collective efforts of local ranchers, conservation partners, and agencies, he celebrated progress in grassland management and restoration, particularly in fostering collaboration and addressing challenges like tree encroachment. Cade underscored the importance of education and science in driving change, praised the growing recognition of grasslands' value in communities, and called for continued stewardship for future generations.  
• He concluded with a reminder that conservation is a long-term endeavor, likening it to planting trees whose shade may benefit others, symbolizing a commitment to sustainability. 

Dr. Dirac Twidwell, Associate Professor, University of Nebraska 

• A leading researcher and advocate for grassland conservation whose work connects ecological science to real-world challenges. During his presentation, he emphasized the critical importance of Kansas grasslands, both as iconic ecosystems and vital agricultural resources, while highlighting their personal connection to the state's landscapes. Grasslands face significant threats from land-use changes and woody plant encroachment, which undermine ecological resilience, reduce biodiversity, and disrupt wildlife habitats. Traditional conservation methods often focus on reactive, short-term solutions rather than sustainable, preventative approaches, resulting in escalating degradation and management costs. 
• To address these challenges, he advocates for a paradigm shift toward proactive, large-scale conservation strategies that prioritize early intervention and long-term planning. These include leveraging tools like prescribed fire and integrating stakeholder collaboration, public engagement, and innovative funding models. Dr. Twidwell called for a co-production of knowledge among scientists, landowners, and conservation groups to maintain and restore grassland ecosystems.  
• Kansas, identified as a proving ground for these efforts, offers opportunities to demonstrate scalable, biome-level solutions. Successful models in Nebraska provide a roadmap, showing how proactive management can increase biodiversity, reduce wildfire risk, and enhance rancher livelihoods. By adopting a more strategic and unified approach, Kansas has the potential to lead in global grassland conservation, ensuring ecological and economic sustainability for future generations. 

Finding Effective Communication Strategies, Locally and Regionally 

Luke Westerman, Supervisory District Conservationist, NRCS  

Adrian and Abbey Vogel, Greenwood County Ranchers 

• Adrian Vogel, alongside his wife Abby, shared their journey managing three distinct ranches and the transformative changes they have implemented over the past four years. They tackled longstanding issues like invasive species, such as sericea lespedeza and Old World Bluestem, by adopting innovative practices like late-summer burns, spot and aerial spraying, and rotational grazing. These efforts, supported by guidance from experts like Luke, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and other organizations, have significantly improved their grassland health and productivity. The Vogels also emphasized the importance of strategic planning, mission-driven stewardship, and balancing ecological conservation with the financial realities of ranching. 
• By fostering collaborations and openly sharing their successes and challenges, the Vogels have inspired neighbors and others in the ranching community to rethink traditional practices. They highlighted the value of partnerships, long-term planning, and adaptive management in restoring grasslands and combating environmental challenges. Through these efforts, they are not only improving their own operations but also promoting sustainable practices for the wider ranching and ecological community. 

Laura Goodman, Professor, Oklahoma State University 

• Dr. Laura Goodman, an associate professor and rangeland extension specialist at Oklahoma State University, collaborates with ranchers, landowners, and agency staff on land management issues such as grazing, invasive species control, prescribed fire, and wildlife habitat. Her current research focuses on various topics like the effects of grazing and fire on grasslands, woody plant encroachment, and wildlife resources. She shares this research and expertise with the public through social media to raise awareness about the challenges facing grasslands and the importance of land management. 
• In her presentation, Dr. Goodman discussed how social media has become a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience, particularly in rural areas. By focusing on platforms like Facebook, she has successfully communicated the risks to grasslands, the impact of tree encroachment, and the benefits of practices like prescribed fire. Her team's social media efforts, including infographics and educational posts, have reached millions of people, encouraging better land management practices. She highlighted the importance of posting regularly, using simple visuals, and sharing content in relevant groups to increase engagement and expand the reach of conservation messages. 

Lindsay Shorter, Grassland Conservation Marketing Manager, PLJV

Ryan Roberts, Social Scient Specialist, PLJV 

• Ryan Roberts and Lindsey Shorter from the Playa Lakes Joint Venture (PLJV) presented a project aimed at addressing invasive tree and shrub species in the western Great Plains. Ryan, a social science specialist, shared insights on how grassland producers perceive and manage invasive species, focusing on their motivations, barriers, and needs. The project utilized a Conservation Innovation grant to develop a model that integrates social science data into communication strategies for effective invasive plant management. Their work involved conducting interviews and focus groups in Kansas and Oklahoma to gather producer insights, which were used to create targeted communication messages. These messages were assessed and refined based on producer feedback to ensure effectiveness. 
• Lindsey, the Grassland Conservation Marketing Manager, discussed how the project used social science findings to shape communication strategies, tailoring messages to different stages of a producer's management journey. They created a communication toolkit, including customizable materials like flyers and postcards, to assist agencies in disseminating the messages. The project also emphasized the importance of understanding producers' motivations and barriers to improve conservation communication. The final deliverable, a comprehensive communication guide, helps integrate social science into outreach efforts and is a valuable resource for agencies and conservation groups. 

Overall, this year’s symposium underscored the crucial need for proactive, collaborative efforts to protect and restore Kansas rangelands. With contributions from experts across various fields, the event provided valuable insights into the challenges and solutions for preserving these vital ecosystems. As we look to the future, it is clear that sustained stewardship, innovative management practices, and community partnerships will be key to ensuring the ecological and economic health of Kansas' grasslands. 

As we move forward, let us carry the lessons learned from the symposium into our daily practices—whether through education, hands-on conservation efforts, or public outreach—ensuring that the legacy of Kansas' rangelands is one of resilience and vitality for generations to come. Together, we can continue to build on the momentum sparked by this event and work toward a future where our grasslands thrive.