CAHNRS News September 9, 2011

Resources and Best Practices for Teaching Large Classes

The Office of Assessment of Teaching and Learning has put together a wonderful web site of resources and best practices for teaching large (or larger) classes. The individual items are short but full of good ideas, both on class instruction and on formative assessment – including first day/week issues, classroom management, in-class learning, online learning, clickers, and exams and grading, as well as classroom assessment techniques and midterm feedback surveys. Visit the site at http://atl.wsu.edu/.

Riparian Grazing Workshops Target Statewide Water Quality Concerns

Oct. 17-18 in Colfax
Oct. 20-21 in Ellensburg

Non-compliance with environmental regulations, especially non-point-source water quality regulations, represent a financial and legal risk to range- and pasture-based livestock operations in the Pacific Northwest. Disagreement among regulatory authorities, technical experts, and ranchers over what the statewide approach to non-point source pollution mitigation should be, what management practices are sufficient to protect water quality, and which practices are reasonable to implement has heightened the legal risk of noncompliance with water quality regulations. The financial risk is real: failure to meet standards can mean fines of $10,000/day. Washington State University Extension is partnering with the interagency National Riparian Service Team to conduct 4 workshops around Washington State that will teach livestock producers how to accurately identify their risk of causing water quality problems and link risks to specific strategies that are proven to protect riparian function, plant/soil health, and water quality. These relationships are complex, and livestock exclusion may not be an effective solution. These two-day workshops will include both “classroom” instruction and field time assessing a grazed stream reach and designing management plans to protect water quality. Workshops offered this fall include one in Colfax on Oct. 17-18 and Ellensburg Oct. 20-21. Two more workshops will be offered in late spring of 2012, one of them in Skagit County. Registration is $40 to cover the costs of food. Space is limited — put your name on the list today with the WSU Kittitas County Extension office at 509-962-7507 or email amorse@wsu.edu.

Land EKG Rangeland Monitoring Refresher Field Day

Join us Sept. 29 at the Colockum Natural Resource Center south of Wenatchee for a refresher course in the field on Land EKG. For many producers, the best is the enemy of the good and despite good intentions you’ve still not established any monitoring sites. Learn how to do the most important components quickly and begin utilizing this valuable range management tool. There is no cost, just show up at 9 a.m. at the CNRC (formerly a WSU research station). Go south from Wenatchee on the west side of the river on the Malaga Highway, turn right up Colockum Rd, and follow the signs into the facility. Bring your own lunch.

Kudos

Entomology Professor Carol Anelli was elected to the 2012 Governing Board of the Entomological Society of America. She will represent the Physiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology section during her three-year term.

Dr. Lori Carris, associate professor in the Department of Plant Pathology, was recognized by the Mycological Society of America with The William H. Weston Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award is given annually to an outstanding teacher of mycology at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels. The award was established in 1979 in honor of W. H. Weston (1890-1978), a beloved Harvard mycologist who was widely recognized as having a profound impact on the field of experimental mycology through his humorous and inspired teaching. Previous recipients of this award include Dr. Jack Rogers, professor of plant pathology.

Larry K. Hiller, Associate Professor Emeritus in the department of horticulture and landscape architecture, was recognized with the Honorary Life Member (HLM) award at the 95th annual meeting of The Potato Association of America Aug. 14-18, 2011, held in Wilmington, North Carolina. This is equivalent to a ‘Fellow’ award in other societies. Only 4 HLM awards can be given in any one year; Hiller was one of only two presented in 2011. He was recognized for his national and international research and teaching accomplishments to WSU and the potato industry, for over 38 years of service to the PAA society, and his commitment to preparing both undergraduate and graduate students as professionals in the vegetable and potato industries. Hiller was president of the society in 2005-2006 and is currently serving as its Treasurer.