Dr. Thorne Elected to Society for Range Management’s Board of Directors

SPARKS, NEVADA –  At the Society for Range Management’s 77^th Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nevada, last week, Dr. Mark Thorne began his two-year term as a member of the Board of Directors. 

Dr. Thorne has been a SRM member since 1995 and has served on several committees since then and been actively involved in the Cal-Pac Section since 2003, serving on its Board of Directors and currently as Section Treasurer. Dr. Thorne currently works as the State Range and Livestock Extension Specialist for the University of Hawaii-Manoa Cooperative Extension a role he has held since 2003. 

“My engagement with the Society since 1995 has been rewarding and valuable as it has helped me grow and mature as a professional,” he said.  “On the Board, I will work to support our membership in ways that enhance their abilities to advance the art and science of range management, manage rangelands more effectively, and engage and communicate with their stakeholders.”

He has identified three key issues he intends to focus on throughout his term including recruitment and retention of SRM members, involvement in the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2026, and strengthened national and international partnerships and collaborations. 

“It is often pointed out that our strength is in our membership, and for this reason we need to find new ways to recruit and retain members. The SRM must be both valuable to potential members and relevant to their rangeland journey,” Dr. Thorne explained. 

Currently, he sees evident value for range management students in networking with career professionals and increased value for ranchers and land managers through programs like “Good Grazing Makes Cent$.”  However, he believes emphasis should be placed on increasing membership value for early and mid-career professionals through avenues like virtual Professional Development training, and continued promotion of certification programs. 

“The 2026 IYRP creates an opportunity for the Society to raise awareness of the value of rangelands to new audiences, recruit students and new members, and gain a new appreciation among other disciplines for the art and science of range management. It also creates a great opportunity for the Society to take a leadership role to foster new and strengthen existing partnerships and collaborations nationally and internationally. I want to help our Society capitalize on these opportunities,” he concluded.