Range society honors AgriLife researchers
Dr. Steven G. Whisenant, head of the department of ecosystem science and management at Texas A&M University, received the W.R. Chapline Research Award from the society.
The award is presented to members in recognition for exceptional and sustained research accomplishments in range science and associated disciplines.
Dr. Jerry W. Stuth was presented the Frederic G. Renner Award posthumously. The Renner award is the most prestigious award given by the society, according to organizers.
Whisenant was honored for significant achievements during his 27-year research career, including his book, “Repairing Damaged Wildlands: A Process-oriented Landscape-scale Approach.” This publication is used as a textbook at universities in more than 21 countries.
According to the society, Whisenant has become recognized worldwide as the authority on ecological restoration of degraded rangelands and other terrestrial ecosystems.
Whisenant has conducted research in every region of Texas, and his research activities have also taken him to China, Iran, Kuwait, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Stuth’s contributions to the range management profession were highlighted by extensive contributions both in the classroom and research activities.
He led a team that developed a computerized grazinglands-planning system whose subsequent refinement resulted in the Grazingland Spatial Analysis Tool software. Stuth also developed the first livestock early warning system that forecasts impending forage shortfalls 90 days in advance. Originally developed for Africa, it is now used in many of the world’s arid regions.
The award was presented posthumously to his wife, Nadine Stuth.
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