About Robert
I believe the most important question facing society is: CAN IMPORTANT AND DESIRABLE ECOSYSTEMS BE SUSTAINED LOCALLY, REGIONALLY, AND ON EARTH FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS? Seeking effective means of addressing this question I, for the past several years, have been shifting my career emphasis from active science administration, focused field research, classroom teaching, and globe hopping to exploring new means of integrating of ecosystem science, management and policy at landscape and regional scales. The pahtway to this new emphasis is developing new methodologies in online, distance learning for traditional and professional education, communication and collaboration. I have made this change because I feel that the science I have devoted a career to and believe in is not being used sufficiently by people who make "on-the ground" decisions about land use planning and management. Until ecosystem science is integrated into practical and useful tools for everyday decision making, our society will continue to manage its resources and the environment based on ignorance, myths and political whim. Recognizing that science is esstntial, but not sufficient alone, the required integration requires cross-boundary perspectives that effectively blend bio-physical, social and cultural, economic, and political realities.
Interests
- Biogeochemistry, landscape ecology, land use planning (currently, I am on the Routt County, CO Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment), I am teaching four online ecology classes and teaming with scientists and educators at CSU and the University of Nairobi to develop distance learning programs in East Africa. I am also trying to be retired, at least part of the time, on Colorado's beautiful West Slope.
Education
Ph.D., Range Science - Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO, 1972
MS, Botany and Plant Ecology - University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM, 1969
BS, Biology - University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM, 1967