03-23-07

Media Release

OSU Professor Recognized for Contributions to Land Stewardship

ENTERPRISE, Ore. – Oregon State University's John Williams has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award for Land Stewardship by the Society for Range Management.

Williams, an associate professor in the Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management and a faculty member at the OSU Wallowa County Extension office in Enterprise, is known throughout the west as a leader in rangeland management, weed control, water quality and team building.

Internationally, he is recognized for his ability to bring individuals and groups with varying viewpoints together to work toward logical, rational solutions to large challenges.

"John Williams is the kind of low-key, hugely effective person who by the end of the day has made yet another step toward the principles so cherished by people who value the land," said John Buckhouse, a professor in OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences. "His background, education and philosophy have made him a compelling force, particularly in rural communities, and his authenticity and commitment are recognized by everyone who has the opportunity to work with him."

In his more than 20-year career, Williams has helped enhance understanding of the western states’ Confined Animal Feeding Operation requirements; created a program called, "Empowering Local Government;" provided leadership to the Natural Resource Advisory Committee and has taken part in the development of the Wallowa County/Nez Perce Tribe Salmon Recovery Plan.

"The Wallowa County/Nez Perce Tribe Salmon Recovery Plan is considered the model to follow in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia, and it would not have been completed if not for John's work to resolve conflict and engage in positive pathways," said Buckhouse.

"He and the partners he's worked with have been wildly successful in reaching milestones of prosperity and harmony in the Northwest's wild lands."