Revised February 2002
Society for Range Management
IntroductionRangeland Management has become an increasingly important and visible profession. Rangeland professionals have the knowledge necessary to render effective service to society. To this end, the following code defines professional conduct and ethics for the membership of the Society for Range Management. The purpose of these canons is to enumerate principles of professional conduct for rangeland professionals in their relationships with each other, employers, clients, and society. Honesty, respect, and courtesy, when associated with interests common to the entire Society membership, constitute the foundation of our ethics. With integrity as the keystone, this philosophy should guide our conduct, improve our efforts, and build public confidence. Rangeland professionals will discharge their duties with fidelity. It is their duty to be interested in public welfare and the sustainability of rangelands, and to apply their knowledge for the common good. They will uphold that which is honorable to the profession.
Professional LifeRangeland professionals:
Have an obligation to advance the science and art of rangeland management, uphold its high standards, and conform to the principles of acceptable professional conduct.
Will collectively and individually endeavor to protect the rangeland management professional from misrepresentation and misunderstanding.
Will utilize their unique skills and knowledge for the betterment of society and sustainability of rangelands.
Are obligated to extend their knowledge and skills by interchanging information and experience with others in the profession and other members of society, who may benefit from or contribute to the profession.
Relations with the PublicRangeland professionals:
5. Will endeavor to extend the correct and increasing knowledge of rangeland management to the public and will discourage untrue, unfair, or exaggerated statements regarding rangeland management.
6. Guard against conditions that are dangerous or threatening to life and health in work for which they are responsible, or will promptly call such conditions to the attention of those who are responsible.
7. Will not issue ex parte statements, criticisms, or arguments on matters without indicating on whose behalf they are acting.
8. While serving as a witness before a court, commission, or other tribunal, will express opinions only when they are based on adequate knowledge and honest conviction.
9. Will refrain from expressing publicly an opinion on a rangeland management subject unless they are informed on the matter and will not alter or withhold data for the purpose of substantiating a point.
Relations with Clients and EmployersRangeland professionals:
10. Will advertise their services in a dignified manner, setting forth in truthful and factual statements in the service they are prepared to render.
11. Will act in professional matters for each employer or client as a faithful agent or trustee.
12. Will act with fairness and respect toward their employer, employee, client, or contractor.
13. Will not accept compensation of any kind from more than one party for the same service or for services pertaining to the same work, without the consent of all interested parties.
14. Will not accept commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from contractors or other parties dealing with their employer or client in connection with work for which they are responsible.
15. Will not have a financial interest in the bids of a contractor for competitive work for which they are responsible, except with the consent of the employer or client.
16. Will disclose to the employer or client any interest in a business, which may compete with or affect the interest of that employer or client.
17. Will engage, or advise the employer or client to engage other experts and specialists in range management and associated fields whenever the employer or client’s interest would be best served by such services.
18. Will not disclose information concerning the business affairs or technical process of employers or clients without prior consent.
19. Will clarify their status to the employer or client before undertaking an engagement to decide upon the use of inventions, apparatus, or any other thing in which they may have a financial interest.
20. Will present clearly the consequences to be expected from deviations proposed if their professional judgment is overruled in cases where they are responsible for the technical adequacy of rangeland management or related work.
21. Will not directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation, prospects, or practices of other rangeland managers or allied professionals.
22. Will not be professionally associated with others who do not conform to ethical practices.
23. Will ensure that credit for rangeland conservation and management is properly given to those deserving of it.
24. Will endeavor to provide opportunity for development and advancement of personnel in their employ.
25. Will exercise due restraint in criticizing another professional’s work in public, recognizing that the Society for Range Management, its meetings, publications, and Journal provide the primary forum for technical discussions and criticisms.
26. Will present information of unethical, illegal, or unfair practices by other rangeland professionals to the proper Society authority for action.
27. Will uphold the principles of appropriate and adequate compensation for rangeland professionals, regardless of capacity, employment status, or affiliation.