My background and experience have taught me when landowners and land managers, both private and public, request outside help in managing their resources they need to understand how what is suggested will change their current management.  My background comes from education in plant ecology, grassland restoration, grazing management, soil physics and chemistry, and climatology. The experience is a result of working with people in one-on-one consultations and classroom situations for over 30 years.

Working with and observing different management styles, decision making processes, and personal preferences has taught me that there is more to developing management options than suggesting changes. It includes understanding the clients land, labor, capital, and management resources, how well they understand their ability to manage change, and how well they understand integrating the new changes into their current management. Simply adding new practices to an existing situation does not necessarily insure success.

When I work with a project, there are three aspects that are important. They are understanding the resources available, the current management situation, and the final goals. I prefer to work with the clients so I can their resources, their current management, and understand their goals. Ignoring any may lead to less than desirable results. The goals are the most important, but I need the first two to fully understand the situation and help create a positive future.

There is a fourth aspect that is important: understanding the person or persons I am working with.  Their ability to manage, understand practice management requirements, financial limitations, and climate influences are just a few of what I need to understand.  After all, they are the ones that will manage the new system, not me!
 
 
Updated 06/05/2009