California Rangeland Trust Awards 2016 Conservation Impact Award to Dr. Kenneth W. Tate

Sacramento, Calif – June 6, 2016 –

California Rangeland Trust awarded the 2016 Conservation Impact Award to Dr. Kenneth W. Tate at a special farm-to-fork gala, Gather at El Peco Ranch, on May 21, 2016. The Rangeland Trust recognized that it’s not only landowners who make significant contributions to the conservation of California Rangelands and created the Conservation Impact Award in 2015. Last year the award went to John Donnelly, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board. Unlike the Conservationist of the Year award which recognizes individuals or families that model sustainable conservation practices on their ranches, the recipient does not have to be a rancher.

Even so, Dr. Tate is no stranger to ranching. His focus on enhancing natural resources and sustaining productive agricultural enterprises on rangelands through research and education has led to recognition on the state, national and international levels. With 102 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Tate leads cutting edge research in the fields of rangeland ecology and agro-ecosystems providing tools for effective rangeland management decisions. Dr. Tate’s career at UC Davis spans 21 years where he held positions such as Vice Chair for Outreach and Extension in the Department of Plant Sciences. He currently holds the positions as the Russell L. Rustici Endowed Chair of Rangeland Watershed Science and Professor and Rangeland Watershed Specialist in Cooperative Extension at UC Davis where he educates the next generation of rangeland professionals. His editorial position as Associate Editor of California Agriculture keeps him on the front lines of the issues California ranchers and farmers face.

Dr. Tate has received numerous awards such as the UC Cooperative Extension Outstanding Team Distinguished Service Award for academic excellence, positive impact on the society, teamwork, and cross-disciplinary integration. He has also received the James H. Meyer Distinguished Achievement Award and the Eric Bradford and Charlie Rominger Agricultural Sustainability Leadership Award.

As the go-to guy for all things range science, Dr. Kenneth Tate’s research, outreach, and education has had a significant impact on rangelands throughout California, the United States, and the world. Dr. Tate said, “I am deeply honored by this recognition. Like the California Rangeland Trust it is my goal to conserve California’s rangelands, ranches, and our vibrant western heritage for future generations. To have my efforts to achieve this shared goal recognized by the Trust is extremely rewarding and humbling.”