2023 SRM Rangeland Cup Information

Itinerary for Rangeland Cup Competition @ 2023 Society for Range Management Annual Meeting (Boise, ID)

The Rangeland Cup team problem solving competition is an activity to promote critical thinking and cooperative, collaborative work on current topics and/or topics of historical importance to rangeland ecology and management. As we progress in our careers, much of our work is performed as part of a team. This competition is intended to build skills in interpersonal communication and team-problem solving, both of which are highly desired qualities in the workplace. All colleges and universities are invited to submit teams for this year’s competition.

Date	Item
November 15, 2023	Guidelines and Rangeland cup topic posted on website
January 22, 2023	Deadline for teams registered for contest via Google Forms link
February 13, 2023 (3-6pm)	In-person judging during poster session. At least one team member must be present at poster to answer questions.
February 15, 2023	Results presented at Awards Ceremony

Guidelines

Eligibility:

Each college or university may enter one or more teams for the event using this link here. Teams shall be made up of no more than four students and one professional mentor (i.e., ag producer, agency personnel, faculty, etc.). Teams are limited to one graduate student (with three undergraduate students), but can be made up entirely of undergraduate students if desired.

Topic:

Each year’s competition will be centered on an issue or problem of interest to rangeland management. New topics will be assigned each year. The competition may address real case studies submitted by agencies or individuals searching for alternative management possibilities. Teams will design an approach (accounting for ecological, economic, social, and political aspects) to solve or manage the issue. Issues and topics may include, but are not limited to: rangeland ecology, hydrology, rangeland wildlife, socio-political, endangered species, grazing management, inventory and analysis, human dimensions of range management, and rangeland hydrology. Creative and innovative approaches are highly encouraged, but approaches must be realistic and achievable.

The topic will be announced November 15th, giving all teams equal time to work on the project. The topic will be posted in SRM member resource news and will be distributed electronically among SRM sections and the student conclave.

Format:

Each team will present their approach/solution in poster format during the assigned poster session on February 13th from 3-6pm during the SRM Annual Meeting. The poster session will be open to meeting attendees and judges will be circulating during the session. Posters will be limited to 36 by 48 inches, preferably landscape orientation.

Rules and Regulations: 

 

• At least one student must be present at the Range Cup poster session on February 13th from 3-6pm to present their project and address questions; all team members are encouraged to be present if space permits. The mentor is encouraged to be present at the poster session as well, but the team will not be penalized if the mentor is unable to attend the poster session.
• Each institution may enter two teams.
• There will be 5 judges with different affiliations (i.e. government agencies, private industry, university faculty, agricultural producers) to reduce bias in the judging.
• Scores will be based on the Judging and Scoring criteria as agreed upon by competition officials. Criteria will be distributed to the teams prior to the competition.
• In the event of a tie, rankings of tied teams will be decided by judges’ consensus.

Judging Sheet

Student posters displaying their problem-solving approach will be judged on content, organization, and presentation. Points will be assigned based on the criteria listed below. Judges scores and comments will remain anonymous and will be provided as typed summaries for each team. JUDGING CRITERIA Content refers to the employment of a creative, logic-based approach to the problem. The approach should be bolstered by scientific evidence, in a similar manner to a grant proposal. The poster should display a clear rationale behind the approach, but should attempt to expand on existing knowledge pertaining to the topic. 60 maximum points. Content Sub-Categories:

• Abstract: should provide a concise summary of the proposed solutions. 5 maximum points.
• Introduction: should introduce the importance of the topic and provide pertinent background information about the theory behind the team’s approach. 10 maximum points.
• Narrative: should clearly describe the team’s approach for addressing the topic. This is where the team will “sell” their ideas. Should demonstrate the team’s knowledge of the subject matter and their logical approach to the task. Each part of the topic should be addressed. Suggested research methods, long-term management plans, expected results, potential pitfalls, budgetary concerns, conclusions, etc. are all acceptable information for the narrative. 45 maximum points.
• Organization describes the design and flow of the poster. The poster should be easy to read and understand without interpretation by the author. Tables, figures, and photographs should be well designed, clear, and with informative legends. All visual aids should be referenced in the poster. 20 maximum points.
• Presentation deals with the students’ ability to discuss their approach and field questions concerning the background and potential outcomes of that approach. Additionally, the students’ professionalism, in manner and personal presentation, will be evaluated during the competition. 40 maximum points.

Presentation Sub-Categories: Professional manner: Do the students exhibit confidence and enthusiasm? Do the students effectively communicate their ideas verbally? 15 maximum points. Knowledge: The students’ ability to address questions and provide comments on their approach should clearly demonstrate their individual involvement in the creative process of problem solving. Do the students’ display insight into how their ideas fit into the larger context of range management? 25 maximum points.

Prize: 

There will be a traveling trophy that will be housed at the winning institution until the following year’s competition.  Each year, the date and name of winning institution will be inscribed onto the trophy.

Rangeland Cup Topic:

2023 Rangeland Cup – Boise, ID The data supporting a changing climate are becoming more validated across the world. North American rangelands are experiencing these changes and may also have the opportunity to aid in the solution to mitigate these climate change impacts. The international rangeland community has struggled with many of the issues that North American rangelands are currently, or may soon face (i.e., increasing invasive species, wildfire, drought, etc.). Choose one prominent climate change related issue that may soon affect North American rangelands (could be based on individual location, region, or ecosystem) and investigate how non-north American countries have managed the issue. Discuss the scientific rationale for implementation of the practice(s) you’ve identified and discuss the implementation and the social, ecological, and economic outcomes of the management practices of the countries your team selected for your comparison. Describe how it could be implemented in North America and its importance for future management of rangeland ecology

Contest Organizers: 

Alejandro Orozco-Lopez (aolorozco1997@gmail.com)
Kevin Kunkel (kkunkel@blm.gov)
Kasey DeAtley (kdeatley@csuchico.edu)