GRANTS - Aaron Hird, a range management specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, has been appointed to the state board of directors for the Society for Range Management.

Hird's conservation work in the northwest section of New Mexico, and his membership in the society, prompted him to seek the nomination. He was elected along with one of two colleagues seeking two available positions.

According to Hird, he believes that his relationship with ranchers on the Navajo Nation and in Acoma Pueblo, along with other range management professionals, will enable him to provide unique representation.

The range specialist said that one of the problems faced in the area is soil erosion. He works with ranchers to employ the known techniques of spreading water facilities and providing cross fencing that divide pastures to help the situation. As a range management specialist, Hird also works with ranchers to disseminate information on new technology and about the rotational grazing system.

As part of his position he suggests stocking rates, prescribed grazing suggestions, information about the range plants that grow during different seasons and their nutritional values.

The specialist earned his degree in environmental biology and his ranching background in Nebraska equipped him for his position working with ranchers, mapping out their pastures and evaluating their ranch for resource concerns.

Hird also gathers information on developing technology at SRM conferences, which he adapts to address local conservation concerns.

The theme for the society's February conference in Albuquerque will be “Merging Trails: Culture, Science and Innovation” and will include a symposium on Advances and Challenges of Integrating Adaptive Management in Range Practices, a technical session on Vegetation Management and Restoration I, and a workshop on GIS and GPS Technology to Improve Rangeland Improvement Success, to name only a few.

Following the Dust Bowl of the 1930s the Soil Conservation Service was created to prevent future soil erosion. It was named the NRCS in the 1970s to include all natural resources, not only soil, but also water, air, plants, animals and humans.

Hird works with ranchers out of the Grants field office, discussing with them how they can improve or conserve their present resources. He said that the NRCS also offers a cost-share program for fencing, pipeline and watering facilities and other necessities.