Strategic Advisory Council

The Strategic Advisory Council helps the Rangeland Research Institute to identify research needs and priorities, and to formulate means to achieve specific institutional objectives.

Currently, 16 individuals with a diverse set of backgrounds and interests in the sustainable management of rangelands serve on the council. Members include livestock producers, government administrators, and representatives from academic institutions, research organizations, non-government organizations and industry.

Current Members

Barry Adams (Chair) | Head, Alberta Rangeland Resource Management Program (Retired)
Lethbridge, Alberta

Stanford Blade | Dean, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta

Edward Bork | Director, Rangeland Research Institute
Professor and Mattheis Chair in Rangeland Ecology & Management, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta

Jerry Brunen | Executive Director, Western Sky Land Trust
Calgary, Alberta

Cameron Carlyle | Assistant Professor, University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta

Jordon Christianson | Director, Property Administration, Special Areas Board
Oyen, Alberta

Cherie Copithorne-Barnes | Producer
Chief Executive Officer, CL Ranches Ltd.
Jumping Pound, Alberta

Floyd George | Producer
Director, Eastern Irrigation District
Gem, Alberta

Joyce Gould | Science Coordinator, Parks Division, Alberta Environment and Parks
Edmonton, Alberta

Edwin Mattheis | Producer (Retired)
Calgary, Alberta

Ruth Mattheis | Producer (Retired)
Calgary, Alberta

Karen Raven | Manager, Land Use Section, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry
Edmonton, Alberta

Karin Schmid | Beef Production Specialist, Alberta Beef Producers
Calgary, Alberta

Josie Van Lent | Producer
Dean, Agricultural Sciences & Human Service, Lakeland College
Vermillion, Alberta

Walter Willms | Researcher (Emeritus), Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada – Lethbridge Research Centre
Lethbridge, Alberta

Dave Zehnder | Producer
Program Coordinator, Ecological Services Initiative
Invermere, British Columbia