Finding the Balance Between Ag Production and Natural Resource Conservation (Jan. 18, 2024 Webinar)

With Andrew Little, Assistant Professor of Landscape Ecology and Habitat Management, UNL; and John Westra, Professor of Agricultural Economics, UNL. During the past 50+ years, Nebraska and other midwestern states have experienced a dramatic conversion of intact grasslands and other non-crop vegetation to row crop production to feed and fuel the growing world. While the intensification of agriculture has led to increased production levels, there have also been negative effects to the ecosystem such as soil loss, water quality issues, and loss of wildlife biodiversity. To ensure we can adequately feed and fuel the growing world while ensuring the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations, we must have honest conversations about ways to “find the balance” between production agriculture and natural resource conservation. During this webinar, Drs. Westra and Little will provide a history of conservation in agricultural landscapes and discuss innovative precision conservation approaches to help farmers and ranchers in Nebraska and beyond “find the balance” between production agriculture and natural resource conservation. Dr. Andrew Little serves as the Director of the Applied Wildlife Ecology and Spatial Movement (AWESM) Lab. Andy is a wildlife spatial ecologist focused on creating innovative solutions to the growing wildlife conservation and management needs in multi-functional landscapes where there are competing interests for agricultural production, wildlife conservation, and ecosystem services. Dr. John Westra serves as Director of the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff. Prior to joining UNL, Westra was the J. Nelson Fairbanks Professor at Louisiana State University (LSU) and served as faculty member for over 15 years at LSU’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness. His own research has focused on production, natural resource and environmental economics relevant to the agricultural sector.