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2 CapitalPress.com February 12, 2016 People & Places UC researcher fosters dialogue Kimberly Rodrigues uses her mediation skills to help ranchers cope with predators Western Innovator Kimberly Rodrigues Capital Press Mediation skills Rodrigues is used to me- diating environmental dis- putes. A former researcher at the Simpson Lumber Co. in the 1980s, she was for many years one of the UC Coopera- tive Extension’s go-to experts on forestry issues. In the 1990s, she was in- volved in the mediation pro- cess over what is now the Headwaters Forest Reserve in Humboldt County, where activists fought a company’s efforts to harvest old-growth redwood trees. “That was an interesting time,” Rodrigues said. “There were tree sitters and deaths in the woods — it was real- ly crazy. People were talking around the real issues instead of talking to each other. “I thought I could do a better job discussing the sci- ence and facts by working for Cooperative Extension than inside the industry,” she said. Later, as a UCCE region- Residence: Woodland, Calif. Position: Director of the University of California’s Hopland Research and Extension Center Age: 56 Family: Husband John Rodrigues; children Lauren, 28, Julia, 25, Jeanette, 19, Robert, 18 Website: http://hrec.ucanr.edu Courtesy of UC Regents Kim Rodrigues, director of the University of California’s Hopland Research and Extension Center, talks with another researcher during a breakfast at the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources headquarters in Davis, Calif. A forestry expert, Rodrigues is now putting her mediation skills to use by helping ranchers ind nonlethal ways to ward off predatory wildlife. al director working in Davis, Calif., Rodrigues handled public outreach efforts for the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Man- agement Project, a 10-year effort by scientists to identify the pros and cons of fuels-re- duction methods in various forest settings. The project’s “public par- ticipation team,” which Ro- drigues led until she took over at Hopland, held workshops and ield trips in the woods to gather opinions from different interest groups. In August, Rodrigues was named to the state Board of Forestry and Fire Protection by Gov. Jerry Brown. “It was important to me to do something that made a difference,” she said of her ca- reer. “There aren’t that many women in the registered pro- fessional forestry ranks..” Switched majors A native of Vallejo, Calif., Rodrigues didn’t envision her- self in forestry or agriculture when she started at the Uni- versity of California-Berke- ley in the late 1970s. She was studying chemical engineer- ing with the idea of blazing a trail for women. “I really loved chemis- try and genetics, and I really loved the fact that only 5 per- cent of chemical engineers were women,” she said. But her interests changed after she took a summer in- ternship at the Dow Chemical Co.’s plant in Pittsburg, Calif. “I hated it,” she said. “I started lailing around looking for a major and a friend said, ‘Check out forestry.’ I went to a summer camp in Quin- cy (Calif.) and that was all it took.” Rodrigues earned a bach- elor’s degree in forest man- agement at Cal in 1981 and a master’s degree in forest ge- netics. In 2008, she completed her doctorate in environmen- tal science and management at UC-Berkeley. Forest adviser She became a UCCE for- est adviser in 1991, coming aboard amid a 15-year con- troversy over a Paciic Lum- ber Co. project to log portions of an old-growth forest near Eureka, Calif. An agreement between the company and the federal government resulted in the reserve being estab- lished in 1999. Being involved in medi- ating the dispute gave Ro- drigues experience in trying to work with parties that had become entrenched. “It was so emotional and polarized by the time I tried to even enter the conversation,” she said. Rodrigues was regional director for UCCE’s northern coastal ofices from 1999 to 2009, when she focused much of her energy on the Sierra Nevada project. Dozens of scientists worked on the proj- ect, whose inal report in De- cember concluded that clear- ing shrubs and woody debris from forest loors can improve tree growth eficiency and re- duce the severity of wildires but could impact wildlife that rely on dense forest areas for habitat. At Hopland, Rodrigues leads a facility that maintains a lock of about 500 sheep for shearing workshops and re- search projects, providing a useful resource for the North Coast’s sheep producers. “I have to tell you this is the best job I’ve had in my whole career,” Rodrigues said. You get to work with research of your own and research from others that you bring here to address real challenges. … ” Predator research Rodrigues’ latest research could have implications for resolving livestock-predator conlicts. The center is now in its irst winter lambing season under a new policy of minimizing the killing of coy- otes and other wildlife, opting instead to use such tools as guard dogs, fencing, pasture rotation and motion-sensor lights to deter carnivores. The center — a one-time sheep ranch that the UC pur- chased in the early 1950s — will serve as a laborato- ry in the next few years for UC-Berkeley wildlife ecology professor Justin Brashares to study how the wildlife popu- lation interacts with livestock. Gaining knowledge of how to ward off predators could be crucial as ranchers in Califor- nia worry about the arrival of gray wolves, which have state and federal endangered-spe- cies protections and cannot legally be killed. The state is taking comments on a wolf management plan that in- cludes a protocol for livestock producers that recommends many of the same measures that Hopland is taking against other predators. Wolf dialogue Already, Rodrigues is be- ing recruited to help foster dialogue between wolf ad- vocates and ranchers, includ- ing at the McArthur meeting organized by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health In- spection Service, Defenders of Wildlife and other groups. “One role that UC Cooper- ative Extension can play be- sides research and extension is providing neutral facilita- tion of conversations,” Ro- drigues said. “That’s my key role in wolf conversations.” Rodrigues hopes to get a team of researchers together to help livestock producers and resource agencies ind new solutions to living with wolves, she said. “I didn’t have any expe- rience with the isher or Cal- ifornia spotted owls, but we had team members who did and we could bring that to the community,” she said. “My experience in the timber wars … does help no matter what the controversy might be. “I don’t want to ever be perceived as taking sides for or against the livestock indus- try,” she said. “It’s how do we support a working landscape. … I don’t think it’s either-or. If it’s either-or, then the indus- tries are at risk.” Annual AgVocacy Conference set for Feb. 19-20 in Reno By MITCH LIES Online For the Capital Press The third annual Western Regional AgVocacy Confer- ence, scheduled Feb. 19-20 in Reno, Nev., will feature a pre- sentation by an Emmy-award winning director and several breakout sessions on how best to advocate for agriculture through social media. Hosted by the AgChat Foundation, the conference will open with a presentation by Matt Rush, former CEO of the New Mexico Farm Bureau and former board member of Amer- ican Farm Bureau’s Foundation for Agriculture. Rush advocates for sharing agricultural stories to keep farming viable, valu- able and visible. Breakout sessions held in- Calendar To submit an event go to the Community Events calendar on the home page of our website at www. capitalpress.com and click on “Sub- mit an Event.” Calendar items can also be mailed to Capital Press, 1400 Broadway St. NE, Salem, CR 97301. Monday, Feb. 15 Weed Identiication and Control in Pasture and Hay Ground, Cr- egon State University Extension, SCREC, Central Point, Cre. 541- 776-7371 ext. 208. Weed biology, identiication, matching control methods to speciic weeds. Partic- ipants bring dry or fresh samples in individual bags. https://secure.or- egonstate.edu/osuext/register/973 Established 1928 Board of directors Mike Forrester ..........................President Steve Forrester Kathryn Brown Sid Freeman .................. Cutside director Mike Cmeg .................... Cutside director Corporate oficer John Perry Chief operating oficer By TIM HEARDEN WOODLAND, Calif. — Kimberly Rodrigues is well equipped to help mediate dis- putes between animal activ- ists and livestock producers over how to manage preda- tors, including wolves. Rodrigues, a forestry ex- pert who now leads a Uni- versity of California research farm in Hopland, Calif., is studying nonlethal means for warding off the coyotes, mountain lions and other wildlife that seek to prey on the facility’s lambs during the winter. With the lethal taking of any predator becoming more controversial in California, Rodrigues used what she’s learned so far to help lead a discussion Feb. 3 in McAr- thur, Calif., on how livestock operations can coexist with wolves. “I think one of the main goals … is to recognize that we’re all in this together and we should all work together to seek solutions,” said Ro- drigues, who took over as director of the Hopland Re- search and Extension Center on California’s North Coast in 2014. Capital Press For more information, visit http://reno.agchat.rocks or call AgChat Foundation Executive Director Jenny Schweigert at 309-241-8803. termittently over the two days are designed to help begin- ning and advanced agricultural advocates share their stories through social media, said Ma- rie Bowers, vice president of the AgChat Foundation and a ifth-generation Oregon grass seed farmer. Also, Conrad Weaver, Em- my-award winning director of the documentary “Great American Wheat Harvest,” will speak to participants about his soon-to-be-released docu- mentary titled “Thirsty Land,” which chronicles the effects of drought on farming in the West- ern United States. The conference will close with a presentation by Shelly Boshart Davis, Monsanto’s reigning Farm Mom of the Year, who is a grass seed and Thursday, Feb. 18 Sunday, Feb. 28 http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/ Submitted photo National Farm Mom of the Year Shelly Boshart Davis, of Albany, Cre., is pictured with her daughters Kyndall, Ashlynn, Sam and her husband, Geoff. She will be a featured speaker at the upcoming AgVocacy conference in Reno, Nev. WAFLA Annual Labor Confer- ence, Central Washington Universi- ty, Ellensburg. www.wala.org/ Wednesday, Feb. 24 Southern Idaho Direct Seed Workshop, Shiloh Inn Conference Center, Idaho Falls, (208) 334- 2353. www.idahowheat.org/ Saturday, Feb. 27 Mid-Valley Winter Ag Fest, Polk County Fairgrounds, Rick- reall, Cre., 503-428-8224. Events will promote local ag commerce and education and provide an en- vironment that is fun and informa- tive for the entire family. mvwag- fest.com/ Mid-Valley Winter Ag Fest, Polk County Fairgrounds, Rickreall, Cre., 503-428-8224. Events will promote local ag commerce and education and provide an environ- ment that is fun and informative for the entire family. mvwagfest.com/ Tuesday, March 1 Fruit Ripening & Ethylene Manage- ment Workshop, Postharvest Technolo- gy Center, University of California-Davis. http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/ Wednesday, March 2 22nd Fruit Ripening & Eth- ylene Management Workshop, Postharvest Technology Center, University of California-Davis. Friday, March 4 Ag Chemical Collection Event, Redwood Transfer Station, Grants Pass, Cre., 541-690-9983. Pre-reg- istration is required by Feb. 18. www.rogueriverwc.org/ Saturday, March 5 Ag Chemical Collection Event, Rogue Disposal Transfer Station, White City, Cre., 541-690-9983. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 18. www.rogueriverwc.org/ Saturday, March 12 Spring into Gardening, McMin- nville Community Center, McMin- nville, Cre., 503-434-7517. This straw farmer from Oregon. “AgChat has been a moti- vation in my getting involved in ‘agvocacy,’” Boshart Davis said. “Seeing others share their story inspired me to tell mine. I’m honored to be able to share my story and believe it is my re- sponsibility and privilege to en- courage others to do the same.” Bowers said she hopes par- ticipants leave Reno with a little better knowledge of how to share their story on social media and with a motivation to encourage other people to do the same. The conference will be held at Silver Legacy Resort and Casino, 407 N. Virginia St. Rates vary from $119 for a student to $149 for a farmer and rancher to $199 for an agribusiness. year’s theme will be Home Land- scaping: Small Changes, Big Impact. Presented by Cregon State Universi- ty Extension and the Yamhill County Master Gardeners Association. Friday, March 18 2016 Cregon FFA State Con- vention, Cregon State University, Corvallis. http://www.oregonffa.com Northwest Horse Fair & Expo 2016, Linn County Fair and Expo Center, Albany, Cre. The largest equine expo in the Northwest will feature fancy dancing horses, strut- ting stallions, clinics by world-class horse trainers and riders, breed and stallion review demos, equine entertainment and a trade show. http://equinepromotions.net/ Capital Press Managers Mike C’Brien .............................Publisher Joe Beach ..................................... Editor Elizabeth Yutzie Sell .... Advertising Director Carl Sampson ................Managing Editor Barbara Nipp ......... Production Manager Samantha McLaren .... Circulation Manager Entire contents copyright © 2016 EC Media Group dba Capital Press An independent newspaper published every Friday. 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