SPARKS, NEVADA – At the Society for Range Management’s 77th Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nevada, last week, Dr. Kevin Sedivec began his two-year term as a member of the Board of Directors.
Dr. Sedivec has been a SRM member since 1987 and has served as Program Committee Co-Chair for two Annual Meetings as well as co-organized the inaugural SRM Reclamation and Restoration Committee and Symposia. He has mentored High School Youth Forum (HSYF) participants, judged student poster and oral presentations since 1996, and served as a peer reviewer for the Rangeland Ecology and Management publication. He has had an extensive career in Rangeland education and is currently a professor in the Range Science Program at North Dakota State University. In his career, he has gained experience working in partnership with policy makers, public land agencies, and ranchers – a skill which will be useful in his role on the BOD.
“I believe biodiversity is a major concern impacting rangelands today, both at the local and global scale,” he said. “SRM and its partners need to be leaders in educating policy makers, land managers, and the general public on the value of diverse rangelands. Policy makers and land managers rely on sound science to manage these lands, and the Society needs to continue to lead the effort in securing opportunities to address new science and facilitate educational opportunities.”
Further addressing biodiversity concerns, Dr. Sedivec intends to focus on strengthening partnerships between SRM and grazing land coalitions, public land agencies, and stockman’s associations where science-based range management can be promoted and implemented.
“I believe partnerships at the state and section level can provide learning opportunities, with the Society enhancing these partnerships to create a sustainable ranching community while enhancing biodiversity,” he said.
With the future in mind, Dr. Sedivec is also passionate about exposing youth to rangelands and instilling the value of rangelands at an early age, as evidenced by his volunteer involvement as HSYF mentor and judge of student poster sessions and presentations.
“Engaging youth with range activities creates lifelong learning experiences that build a foundation on the value of rangelands, its people, and agriculture,” he concluded.