Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. John Walker, 325-653-4576, jwalker@ag.tamu.edu
SAN ANGELO – Dr. John Walker, professor and resident director of research at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in San Angelo, is the new president of the Texas Section Society for Range Management.
Dr. John Walker (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo)
Walker, who took office Jan. 1 of the 400 member statewide organization, was named to the post at the society’s annual meeting, which this year was held in Fort Worth last October.
Walker has been in his current role with Texas A&M AgriLife Research since 1997. His responsibilities include leading a multidisciplinary team of scientists which develops new technologies for increasing the efficiency and sustainability of range livestock and wildlife production.
He is also responsible for the maintenance and improvements of the center and oversees about 20,000 acres of rangeland on six properties in four counties.
He said his research interest relates to developing new technologies for modifying diet selection of grazing ruminants.
Walker has been active in the range society on both state and national levels. Prior to moving back to Texas, he also served as the president of the Idaho Section. He previously was the Texas Section’s second vice president and served as the past planning chair for the organization’s annual meeting. On the national level, he is a past member of the nomination committee and chair and organizer of the targeted grazing committee.
His other affiliations, past and present, include various responsibilities within the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association, Texas A&M AgriLife Council of Resident Directors, Texas A&M University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, the American Sheep Industry Association, and the Western Section Society for Range Management.
Walker’s civic responsibilities have included service to the San Angelo Convention and Visitors Board, and chair of the San Angelo Sheep Run Committee. He currently serves on the Friends of San Angelo State Park Advisory Board.
Walker earned a bachelor’s in wildlife science and doctorate in range science from Texas A&M University and a master’s in range science from Colorado State University.
The Texas Section’s mission is: “to provide leadership for the stewardship of rangelands based on sound ecological principles.”
For more on the Texas Section Society for Range Management go to: http://www.rangelands.org/texas .
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