Professor receives lifetime achievement award
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
The Society of Range Management has honored Dr. Dave Engle with its Sustained Lifetime
Achievement
“Dave’s impact on range management in the Great Plains region extends from the Dakotas to Texas,” said Keith Owens, NREM department head. “His combined program of teaching, research and outreach has resulted in new management techniques being applied with herbicides, grazing systems and, most notably, fire.”
The award was presented at the SRM 67th Annual Meeting recently in Orlando, Fla. The Sustained Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to members for long-term contributions to the art and science of range management. Rangelands comprise more than 40 percent of the earth’s land area.
“It is humbling to receive this because it was awarded by the professional society with which I have been closely affiliated for more than four decades,” Engle said. “I am grateful to my department head, Keith Owens, for nominating me and for his support as I continue my professional involvement in range management.”
Engle has played a significant role in reintroducing fire into grasslands, and has led an innovative program into conducting, monitoring and adapting prescribed fire. His track record as a researcher speaks for itself, as he has more than 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts and has been awarded more than 50 grants, totaling more than $12 million.
“Dr. Engle’s contributions to rangeland ecology and management are numerous and substantial, including educating undergraduate and graduate students, conducting and publishing mission-based research on management of rangelands, and serving the Society for Range Management through leadership on numerous section and national committees,” Owens said.
This is not the first time Engle has been acknowledged by the SRM for his contributions to the field. He has previously received Outstanding Young Range Professional, Outstanding Achievement for Research and RSEC Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher of the Year. Also, he received the Henry Wright Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Fire Ecology.
“The many people who mentored me in the profession and who collaborated with me throughout my career are the reason behind my success and this award,” Engle said. “The Society for Range Management, an international professional and scientific association, serves the needs of future generations of people by promoting stewardship of rangelands. This reflects my worldview, so I am honored to receive this award.”