NEVADA–BaiLee McMillan a junior at Anselmo-Merna recently traveled to Sparks, Nevada to participate in the Society for Range Management (SRM) 71st Annual International SRM meeting. In addition, she attended the High School Youth Forum (HSYF) January 28-February 1. This year’s meeting theme was “EMPOWERMENT through Applied Science.”
The SRM is an international organization that strives to promote public awareness of the importance of sound management and use of rangeland, the world’s largest land base. Since 1966, the HSYF has been a highlight of the SRM annual meetings.
Twenty-four high school delegates to the HSYF were chosen by the individual sections of the parent society throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. BaiLee won the opportunity to attend, during the Nebraska Section SRM meeting held in October 2017 at Chadron State College. She had the opportunity to meet people from many countries and get a firsthand view of what rangeland is like in their areas.
One of the more important activities for the week was that each delegate competed in a paper presentation competition with the content covering a range-related topic. All presentations were judged by a diverse panel of judges, with the top five papers being recognized at the SRM awards ceremony. The top paper winner was Courtney Taylor from Alberta Canada. McMillan placed fourth in the event with her paper presentation titled “Do Poisonous Plants Threaten the Cattle Industry?”
Because the number of delegates who can attend each year is limited, selection for this activity is considered a high honor for the students who were selected. McMillan is the daughter of Tom and Lisa McMillan of rural Milburn, Neb.
The goals of the HSYF are:
1) Provide insight for students to see the function and working of a professional society
2) Provide opportunities to meet society members
3) Provide a format that encourages thinking and enhancement of communicative skills
4) Provide an opportunity to learn about range and natural resource management and future careers through interaction with society professionals
5) Provide an opportunity to learn about the ecology and natural resources of the annual meeting site
6) Provide an atmosphere that fosters camaraderie and lasting friendships.
For further information regarding the Society for Range Management logon on to www.rangelands.org.
Courtesy
For more information please contact: Dr. Barron S. Rector, Co-Chair HSYF Sub-committee
Extension Ecosystem Science and Management
Texas A&M University
2138 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2138
(979) 255-0391 or email: [email protected]
