“What does soil health, improved water quality, diverse plants communities, drought-proofing your ranch, or considering a conservation easement have to do with leaving a legacy?”, said Tim Christian, state coordinator for the Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition (KGLC). “The 2015 KGLC Range School’s instructors and guest speakers will provide answers to those and other topics. And, if you are interested in securing a scholarship note the deadline is approaching quickly.”
The Mid-/Shortgrass Range School runs from August 4-6 at Camp Lakeside, Lake Scott, and the Tallgrass Range School is set for August 18-20 at Camp Wood YMCA, Elmdale with the theme Sustaining Rangelands by Leaving A Legacy, Christian said. We have a slate of instructors and guest speakers that will give attendees much to think about and perhaps act on as they return to their operations. A featured speaker at the Mid-/Shortgrass School is Jim Hoy, Emporia Sate University professor and author, and his wife Cathy who ranch in the Flint Hills and placed a conservation easement on their property. Other ranchers with easements will be featured at the Tallgrass School.
Registration is $350 per person and covers course materials, on-site lodging and meals, and other related costs. Ranchers, landowners, and students may qualify for a $175 scholarship, and agency staffs may qualify for $125 in scholarship help. Forms and more information on the Schools is available at www.kglc.org under 2015 Range Schools found in the navigation bar. Scholarship applications must be submitted by July 24 for the Mid-/Shortgrass School and August 7 for the Tallgrass School.
KGLC depends on its partnering individuals, organizations and agencies to help underwrite the scholarships provided. To date, sponsors include USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kansas State University Research and Extension; US Fish and Wildlife Service Kansas Partners Program; Kansas Section of the Society for Range Management; The Nature Conservancy; William F. Bradley, Jr.; Trust; Richard and Pat Schroder; Westar Energy; ITC Great Plains; Security State Bank, Scott City; and Feed-Lot Magazine.
KGLC organized in 1991 as a non-profit educational organization and its vision is to regenerate Kansas grazing lands. This is achieved through the management, economics, ecology, production, and technical assistance programs provided by voluntary methods to reach landowners, ranchers, and others making decisions on grazing lands.
For more information on the 2015 KGLC Range Schools, contact Tim Christian, state coordinator, at 620-242-6440, email to [email protected]. You may also go to the web at www.kglc.org.
