Rangelands West: Going Global

1. Rangelands West: Going Global ISE-NIFA Project Launch Workshop September 8, 2010

2. AgNIC Rangelands: the beginning • UA’s AgNIC “Managing Rangelands” Site (1995 - 2001): customized resources & evaluated content • Issue: political vs. ecosystem approach • Issue: sustainability (human and financial resources to maintain & expand) • Led to Western Rangelands Partnership; 19 LGUs (2001+)

3. The Western Rangelands Partnership!

4. Rangelands West Version 2 (2005+): Problems, Problems, Problems • Good Idea: Database-driven • Poor Implementation: • Attempted browse hierarchy • Complications with metadata process • Difficulties with content development group engagement • Distracted from state site development • Loss of two key IT positions at the UA • Incomplete system • Changes in UA R.W. • staffing (2006-07)

5. The Changing Ag Information Scene in the U.S. • New eXtension Initiative • “Objective. Research-based. Credible. Information and tools you can use every day to improve your life. This is the most reliable information you'll find on the Internet brought to you by the nation's largest and oldest network of universities” • AgNIC Strategic Planning • New Goals and Objectives • Improve Content and Services/Increase Funding • Include a wide range of e-content

6. Rangelands West: Archival Repository for SRM Journals

7. Recognized Need to Change and Evolve … and gain new resources • Applied for Strategic Development Funds from UA Libraries • Approved to conduct needs assessments and develop business plan • Purpose: to guide development of a technical requirements for total redesign • 2008-09 focus: groundwork for future • UA Eller Business College graduate students prepared “Business Plan” • UA R.W. Team organized needs assessments (online & focus groups

8. Key Recommendations • Update content frequently • Fast and relevant searches • Libraries of documents & images • Location-specific information • Tools to foster interaction/networking • Searchable directory of experts • Revenue generation • Grants • Partner contributions • Sponsorships

9. The Opportunity • Open source, self managed content management systems (Drupal) • Social networking to directly engage ranchers and other stakeholders • Interest of Range Scientists at 2009 SRM meeting • Back files of South African and Australian range journals • More funding options with global partners • Possibility of partnering with FAO & others • AgriDrupal community of practice • USDA ISE grant application; submitted & approved 2010

10. Collaborators & Supporters • University of Arizona • University of California, Davis • University of Idaho • Rangelands Australia • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations • Other Signatories • eXtension • GSSA

11. Proposal Objectives • Redesign Rangelands West portal to host repository of global rangelands materials • Establish partnerships with key organizations/associations around the world • Upload and create applications to provide greater accessibility to content • Develop two multi-media learning modules • Create synthesis documents on aspects of international rangeland management outreach practices for Extension • Create customized search interface and implement Web 2.0 networking applications

12. Technical Requirements: Issues, Issues, Issues • Lucene/Solr search indexing engine • Prototype developed • May help with data mining later on • Harvesting questions • Multiple data sets in different formats • Metadata issues • Controlled vocabulary – which one? • Keywords/tags • Multiple curators; multiple formats • Record IDs • State site support • Interoperability, Sustainability, Ease-of-use

13. Mock up: Global Rangelands Online Knowledge System Browse topics Browse collections Browse media Featured Sites (rotating images) Search Global Rangelands Advanced SearchSign up for updates • Tools & Resources • Teaching Clearinghouse • eXtension Rangelands • Outreach Practice • Organizations & Agencies Search • Get Involved! • suggest resources • contribute to discussions • News • Loremipsum • Loremipsum • Loremipsum • Calendar of Events • Event • Event Video Clip • Hot topics • climate change • food security • monitoring Rangelands West (links to partner sites) Rangelands of the World (links to resources) About Collaborators Contact us (logos for external collaborators)

14. Pfander Roles/Goals • Participate as member of interdisciplinary and multi-institutional / multi-national Global Rangelands project team • planning, decision-making re: portal design, search interface, metadata, etc. • facilitate identification and addition of repository content including South African & Australian journals • Work with University Libraries stakeholders, including RSS CMCG and DLIST staff, to facilitate Libraries awareness, understanding, support and participation/contributions to the Global Rangelands project. • Migration of UAiR Society for Range Management (SRM) journal archives to ?? • Implementation of DOIs for articles • Adding updated SRM content to UAiRarchives

15. Library Cabinet Notes, 9/8/2010 ““Carla attended a presentation on the launching of Global Rangelands. This project has now taken on world-wide status and the library will need to move ahead in providing more support, and figure out the who/where/how to accomplish this great venture.”