INTRODUCTION
The Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) of the University of California owns and administers nine Research and Extension Centers. Administered by the Office of Facilities Planning and Management, they are strategically placed throughout the state to address agricultural and natural resource questions unique to the physical, biological, and socio-economic environment of each location. Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center (SFREC) is ideally located for research, teaching, and extension in several topic areas designated as high priority by the Division. The facilities it has to offer, and thus the opportunities for advanced research and teaching in a broad variety of topic areas, are unmatched. The Center is perhaps the California field station best suited to the study of integrated, sustainable production of a spectrum of commodity and non-commodity benefits to society.
The DANR North Region lists improving water quality and quantity, assuring food safety, and sustaining agriculture and natural resources, as three of its five priority issues. The Division's Natural Resources Department Planning Group includes on its list of critical statewide topics the following: water, wetlands and riparian issues; urban/rural/wildland interface questions; species biodiversity; maintenance and restoration ecology; wildland fire; aspects of agricultural production and resource conservation; resource inventory and monitoring; and resource policy. Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center is engaged in research, teaching, and/or extension projects in all of these areas.
Introduction...
One of three Research and Extension Centers in the DANR North Region, this facility's location in the Sierra Nevada foothills positions it to provide resources and support for DANR priority issues. The Center's 5,700 acres of topographically varied annual grassland and oak woodlands include an array of Sierra vegetation types. Several watersheds fall within Center boundaries, and the Yuba River flows along one edge of the property, offering opportunities for water quality and riparian habitat studies. The riparian areas and oak woodlands typical of the Center support a greater diversity of wildlife species than any other major habitat type in the state. A 400 head cattle herd supports research related to the beef cattle industry, which typically ranks second or third in annual dollar value of production among the state's agricultural commodities and utilizes more wildland areas statewide than any other economic activity. Irrigated pastures provide for research related to efficient forage and water utilization. The Center is located near expanding suburban outgrowths typical of rural California, providing for study of the impacts of land use change at the urban/wildland interface. Research related to ecosystem function on ungrazed rangeland is carried out in the Center's reserve areas, while elsewhere the effects of differing strategies can be examined. A diversity of management histories for various sites makes possible the testing of restoration techniques, particularly for oak woodlands and riparian areas. And, finally, the Center maintains the trained staff and the infrastructure necessary to support on-site research, data monitoring, teaching, and outreach education.
THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
California's Sierra foothill lands are facing increasing demands from a diverse and growing human population. Foothill lands are valued for range forage, wildlife habitat, watershed, recreation, and aesthetics. At the same time, shrinking budgets threaten the ability of public agencies and researchers to address the management issues and conflicts that are becoming characteristic of these lands. The strategic planning process examined Center resources and capabilities, the major issues facing the Division and the North Region, and the unique needs of the Center's clientele. This resulted in the development of four overall Center goals, a variety of more specific strategies that will help to meet those goals, specific actions that will be taken in the next two years, and areas of focus for research and extension that will be used to prioritize future research proposals and to allocate Center support. All of these goals, strategies, and areas of focus strongly reflect contemporary needs in research, teaching, and extension, and either fit or enhance the capabilities of the Center.
This document sets forth a plan for addressing critical issues during a period of reduced university support. This will be accomplished through a tightened focus on priority subject areas, enhancement of existing resources and their use, attraction of increased numbers of well-planned, diverse project proposals, and a continued active outreach and education program. Long term goals, strategies to meet those goals, and specific actions to be taken immediately are all set forth. Center accomplishments will be reviewed annually to measure the degree to which goals are met, and direction will be modified as necessary. Goals and strategies will be periodically reassessed to determine whether they need to be updated.
GOALS, STRATEGIES, AND ACTIONS
GOAL 1. Encourage research and extension in priority areas.
- Strategy 1. Maintain and enhance the relevance of projects to DANR goals, state needs, and the "Areas of Focus" provided in the Strategic Plan.
- Strategy 2. Increase research productivity and dissemination of results from projects.
- Strategy 3. Encourage increased outside funding of research projects by considering the balance of Center and research project resources when evaluating each project.
- Strategy 4. Encourage and support issue-oriented, integrated, and cross-disciplinary projects focusing on management of foothill woodland ecosystems.
- Strategy 5. Support a diversity of projects.
FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION 1994: The RAC will begin using these strategies in the summer of 1994 as criteria for evaluating research projects for the station. Relevance, productivity, balance of funding, and substance will be considered when evaluating project proposals. Research and demonstration projects most effectively addressing the criteria will be awarded 100% of the resources required whenever possible. Others will be allocated a lesser proportion. Some projects meeting few criteria may be allowed, but without allocation of labor. In general, no more than 400 labor hours will be allocated to a single project.
Goals, Strategies, and Actions...
GOAL 2. Attract increased numbers of well-planned, diverse, problem-focused and scientifically credible project proposals.
- Strategy 1. Develop the Center's reputation as a major research and education center for the study of oak woodland management and ecology, as well as other Sierra foothill ecosystems.
- Strategy 2. Provide areas of naturally occurring and restored ecological communities (including oak woodlands and riparian corridors) for current and future research involving biodiversity, management and sustainability of plant and animal species, and other research opportunities.
- Strategy 3. Support and encourage research, outreach, and teaching on changing land use in the Sierra foothills, including urban, rural, wildland, agricultural, and range uses.
- Strategy 4. Maintain and expand Center facilities and equipment, modernize as necessary to meet changing needs.
FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION 1994: Beginning in 1994, SFREC and RAC personnel will provide seminars about the Center to campus departments informing them about research opportunities and projects available. A new Center brochure will be developed for distribution to UC academics, administrators, and agriculturists. Researchers presenting and publishing research from Center projects will be encouraged to acknowledge SFREC. A land use plan for the Center will be developed that includes protection and restoration of ecological communities. The Center will continue to coordinate with the California Department of Fish and Game for research activities using their adjacent properties.
Goals, Strategies, and Actions...
GOAL 3. Enhance existing resources and encourage their use.
- Strategy 1. Support and encourage research, teaching, and extension on sustainable agriculture, including beef cattle production, on rangelands. Provide areas where ecosystems are managed for agriculture production.
- Strategy 2. Maintain a safe, efficient working environment for Center staff and visiting workers.
- Strategy 3. Expand Center resource monitoring capabilities. Develop, catalog and maintain lists of existing long-term databases.
- Strategy 4. Provide space for archival storage of historically important materials, e.g. soils, plants, maps, research reports, and photographs.
FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION 1994-1995: On-site databases such historical weather data, long-term pasture use, periodic biological inventories, maps to historic research plots, historical photos, and annotated reference lists will be developed and advertised to researchers, both within and outside of the University of California system and including international researchers. Funds and opportunities to develop a computerized Geographic Information System at the Center will be sought. Research projects and Center activities will be monitored to assure that they do not pose a safety risk for staff or visitors, with special attention to the management of hazardous materials.
Goals, Strategies, and Actions...
GOAL 4. Continue an active outreach and education program.
- Strategy 1. Serve as an education resource for foothill landowners.
- Strategy 2. Build partnerships for mutual landscape management objectives with nearby landowners and managers.
- Strategy 3. Encourage effective dissemination of research results through publication and outreach education.
- Strategy 4. Help develop management strategies for small tract foothill landowners.
- Strategy 5. Provide resources and expertise for student training.
ONGOING ACTION: Continue to provide field days, demonstration projects, extension meetings, tours, opportunities for student interns, and reports of research progress.
- AREAS OF FOCUS FOR RESEARCH AND EXTENSION (Not listed in order of priority)
A. Management strategies for optimizing sustainable economic returns from the foothill range/livestock/forage system.
B. The role of livestock in ecosystem management.
C. Alternative natural resource management strategies.
D. Effects of changing land use on the urban/rural/wildland interface.
E. Management strategies for restoration of rangelands (including woodlands).
F. The maintenance of water quality and watershed stability; efficient use of irrigation water in the foothills.
G. Management and conservation of riparian zones and wetlands.
H. Development of profitable livestock production strategies, including genetic improvement, disease control, nutrition, and cattle management for grazing beef cattle.
I. Management of hardwood rangelands to optimize wildlife habitat.
J. Study of structure and function of grass-oak woodland ecosystems.
RESEARCH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) will remain the primary group responsible for recommendations relative to programmatic direction. This group will be proactive in encouraging research and diligent in allocating increasingly scarce Center resources. The Committee will review objectives annually and amend them as appropriate.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EFFORTS
Center research and education activities are designed to benefit all citizens of the State of California. We will continue to encourage participation in Center programs by women and minorities. Persons with disabilities are using Center facilities. Wheelchair access is available at the main meeting sites.