NRCS will conduct the Workshop: "Rangeland Management and Restoration Using Ecological Sites: Linking Scientific and Local Knowledge of Ecosystem Dynamics".

Ecological sites comprise a system to stratify the landscape into management units that differ in productive potential, response to disturbance, and restoration needs. Ecological sites connect scientific and local knowledge to the parts of the landscape where they apply. Ecological sites are thus of great value for management and restoration planning that takes into account spatial and temporal variability. In this workshop, presenters will introduce how ecological sites are used to improve farm and ranch operations and restoration activities.  Following the introduction, presenters will discuss the components of ecological site descriptions, including the data, local knowledge, interpretations, and the state-and-transition model pertaining to an ecological site. Procedures for the development of ecological site systems will be discussed, with attention to cases where detailed soil maps are unavailable. When mapped or identified in the field, ecological sites and alternative states provide practical advantages in the design of inventory, assessment, monitoring, and management efforts in rangelands.