Chapter 10

Managed Ecosystems :

Goal: 

Colorado State University will enhance its focus and depth in undergraduate education, graduate education, research, and outreach in the long-range adaptation of agriculture in the 21 st century in response to changes in demography, water availability, water and agricultural policies, environmental and land use policies, demand for recreation, and national and international markets. Colorado State University will be recognized regionally, nationally, and internationally for modern crop, range, and livestock systems in semi-arid environments. This will include disciplinary and interdisciplinary work in crop and soil sciences, economics, animal sciences, pest sciences, landscape design and policy, range science, wildlife biology and ecology, forest science, and water sciences.

Strategic Actions:

• Establish a coordinated, integrated research, graduate education, and outreach program in long-range agro-ecosystem dynamics, led by a faculty steering committee, incorporating disciplines in the Colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Natural Resources, Engineering, and Natural Sciences.
• Develop an Environmental Chemistry program.
• Align research facilities for integrated plans and fill gaps in expertise through collaboration or new positions.
• Develop an Environmental Chemistry program.
• Continue to expand the newly created interdisciplinary program in Organic Agriculture Production and build the collaboration among the supporting departments.

Critical Resource Growth Needs:

• Assure adequate faculty staffing in rangeland, wildlife sciences and community development economics to support a comprehensive approach to the area.
• Develop additional, multi-disciplinary grant programs to provide research and travel support.
• Critical need to hire a Coordinator for the Organic Agriculture Production interdisciplinary program.
• Secure adequate lab/office space for new hires and potential future hires.