Climate Change in Western Rangelands Discussed at Colorado State and USDA-ARS Workshop Sept. 4

Colorado State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service are hosting a one-day workshop to address climate change issues related to western United States rangelands, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sept. 4 at the Little America Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Workshop participants will learn how climate change affects drought, forage production and quality, plant species composition and other aspects of rangeland ecosystems. A field tour opportunity will be provided to view one of the world’s few experiments to measure effects of both warming and carbon dioxide enrichment at the UDSA-ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station.

The following is a schedule for the workshop:

8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: Check in

8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.: Welcome and opening remarks

9 a.m. – noon: Presentations by David Williams and Steve Gray from University of Wyoming, Alan Knapp from Colorado State University,  Jack Morgan from USDA-ARS, and Linda Joyce  from USDA-FS. A panel discussion will follow.

Noon – 1:30 p.m.: Lunch provided

1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Experiment tour (transportation provided)

Registration is required and participation is limited to the first 200 registrants. To register, visit http://www.rangelands.org/zencart. For more information, contact Ann Heckart at (307) 772-2433 ext. 100 or Ann.Heckart@ars.usda.gov.

The Little America Hotel is located at 2800 W. Lincolnway at the junction of I-25 and I-80 in Cheyenne, Wyo.

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