Curriculum Vita
October 2009
Ken Cearley
Program Specialist III- Wildlife
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M System
I. Personal Information
A. Ken Cearley
B. Program Specialist II- Wildlife
C. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
D. Date of Initial Appointment: February 1998
E. Date of Last Promotion: September 2009
II. Position Description
A. Percent Appointment:
Extension: 100%
B. Major Areas of Work:
Responsible for development and delivery of Extension programming in wildlife ecology and management. Duties include: (1) providing support to County Extension Agents and the development of County-level programming in the area of wildlife management; (2) development of innovative Extension programming materials directed at enhancing wildlife resources in Texas – programs of focus will include native species of economic importance, and wildlife—livestock interactions; (3) collaborating with a network of wildlife biologists and other natural resource managers and scientists within Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and other state and federal agencies; (4) contribute to expansion of existing youth conservation education programs; (5) development of external funding sources for supporting Extension and applied research activities in faculty member’s area of expertise; and (6) provide general support to the land grant mission of the Texas A&M System.
III. Education, Experience & Award Recognition
A. Education
1. Sul Ross State University, Alpine; MS Range Animal Science, 1998
2. Texas A&M University; BS Wildlife Science, 1976
B. Teaching
1. Courses Taught
a) Sul Ross State University. Beef Cattle Production Lab. Graduate Teaching Assistant. 1 semester hour.
b) SRSU. Upland and Wetland Habitat Management Lab. Graduate Teaching Assistant. 1 semester hour.
c) SRSU. Wildlife Management Techniques Lab. Graduate Teaching Assistant. 1 semester hour.
d) SRSU. Natural Resource Policy and Administration. (substitute instructor) 3 semester hours.
e) SRSU. Agricultural Statistics. (substitute instructor) 3 semester hours.
f) SRSU. Introduction to Range Management. Lecturer. 3 semester hours.
g) SRSU. Big Game Management. Lecturer. 3 semester hours.
h) SRSU. General Animal Science. Lecturer. 3 semester hours.
i) SRSU. Wildlife Diseases. Lecturer. 3 semester hours.
j) SRSU. Natural Resource Policy and Administration. Lecturer. 3 semester hours.
C. Positions held
1. 2005 to present: Extension Program Specialist II and Adjunct Faculty for West Texas A&M University
2. 2003 to 2005: Extension Program Specialist I- Wildlife
3. 1998-2003: Extension/Research Associate- Wildlife (TCE/TAES)
4. 1994-1998: Graduate student, then Lecturer (Sul Ross State University)
5. 1989-1994: Rancher/Wildlife Biologist-Manager
6. 1980-1989: Ranch Manager/Wildlife Biologist-Manager
7. 1977-1980: Research Assistant (TAES), Dept. WFSC, under Sam Beasom and Jack Inglis
D. Awards and Recognitions
1. Superior Service Award- Texas Brigades Youth Wildlife Leadership Camps Team. 2000
2. Camp Dedication Award for 12th Battalion Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade. 2004
3. Outstanding Team Award, Gold category, from Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals for Extension’s Wildlife & Fisheries Management Workshops for Absentee Landowners held in 2004. 2006
4. Superior Service Award- Wildlife Management Team. 2007
E. Certifications held
1. Certified Artificial Insemination Technician- Medina Valley Genetics A.I. School, 1983
2. Certified Wildlife Biologist- The Wildlife Society, 1989
3. GPS/GIS User Training- Corvallis Microtechnology, 2000
4. Introductory GIS (ArcView 8.2/ArcView) - TAMU Spatial Sciences Laboratory, 2002
5. Advanced GIS (Spatial Analyst)- Land Information Systems, Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, TAMU, 2006
IV. Career Accomplishments
A. Extension Activities
1. Development of Programs, Services, Products, and/or Processes (since last promotion)
a) 2005
(1) Coordinated North Region Agent Training dealing with the realistic potential for Nature Tourism as an income source for landowners and some of the wildlife-related enterprises otherwise which might be considered for the ranching operation.
(2) Initiated and coordinated Quail Appreciation Day- to include introduction to an appreciation for quail, quail biology, a lab practical, habitat management, summaries of recent studies pertaining to quail management (predation, nesting ecology, etc.), and a field tour to see examples of good quail management. Meeting hosted by Crane and Pecos counties.
(3) Coordinated Feral Hog Appreciation Day hosted by Garza and Crosby counties. Activities included feral hog origin and status, feral hog biology, effective control measures, and opportunities for hunting to contribute to control measures as well as provide additional ranch or farm income.
(4) Initiated and coordinated- Predators in the Classroom: A Primer on Ecology for 4-7th grades was presented as a science enrichment curriculum to teachers at two of the regional education service centers in the state, San Antonio and Richardson.
(5) Initiated and coordinated Pheasant Management Workshop was held in Lamb County. Information presented included origin and biology of pheasants, current population status, pheasant habitat management, economic importance, relevant Farm Bill provisions, and a panel discussion of local landowners and operators who have experience in pheasant-based enterprises.
(6) Initiated and coordinated Playa Lakes Management Workshop to be held in Lamb County. Topics covered: playa lake features, function, and wildlife potential; field tour showcasing contrasting playa management/use scenarios—wildlife as a priority and livestock as a priority—and the impact on wildlife production.
b) 2006
(1) Gem City Wildlife Management Association Organizational Meeting
(a) Landowners and other public interested in the formation of a wildlife management association in the Gem City area. TPWD, NRCS, US Fish and Wildlife Service, county government, Texas Prairie Rivers Region involved
(b) Gave presentation “Extension Resources for Wildlife Management”
(2) CRP Alternatives publication
(a) Coordinated advisory group made up of NRCS, FSA, TPWD
(b) Met with agencies affected by CRP enrollment activities to formulate plans for publication aimed at helping landowners make decisions regarding alternative land use(s) should CRP contract not be renewed
(3) TPWD Lesser Prairie Chicken incentives program
(a) Participated in meeting of advisory group enlisted to assist TPWD determine dispensation of and program design for funds allocated for landowner incentives aimed at lesser prairie chicken management
(4) National Wild Turkey Federation Canadian River Restoration
(a) Advisory Committee member
(b) National Wild Turkey Federation, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, National Parks Service, Texas Forest Service, Texas Prairie Rivers Region, Texas Tech University, Texas A & M University involved
(5) Hutchinson County Rangeland Monitoring Workshop planning
(a) Participated in planning meeting for upcoming Rangeland Monitoring Workshop
(b) Collaborated with TCE range specialist, CEA Hutchinson, rancher/landowner, NRCS range specialist, and NRCS District Conservationist.
(6) Pronghorn Symposium Steering Committee meetings- monthly from Mar-July
(a) Coordinator and co-initiator
(b) Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Natural Resources Conservation Services, University Lands, CDRCD, private industry, Texas Wildlife Association, Chihuahuan Desert Resource Conservation and Development Area, SRSU involved
(7) RAWHIDE (Ranching Aimed at Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Diversification of Enterprises)
(a) Initiator and coordinator
(b) Phone and e-mail contacts to coordinate and plan upcoming RAWHIDE workshops
(8) Playa Lakes Management Workshops initial planning
(a) Initiator and Coordinator
(b) TPWD, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Playa Lakes Joint Venture, Texas Coalition Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative
(9) Pheasant Hunter Survey
(a) Initiator and coordinator
(b) Instrument design discussion with TCE Ag Economist
(c) Mailing list compilation
c) 2007
(1) WHEP location reconnaissance, Boy Scout Camp, Canyon
(2) Coordinated Playa Programs planning discussion with TPWD; discussed potential playa management programming topics and strategies
(3) Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch visit
(4) North Region Strategic Plan
(a) Contributed to formulation of initial document
(b) Served on Range and Wildlife Commodity Team
(5) Co-coordinated a meeting to develop suggested Range and Wildlife programs that address Strategic Plan mandates
(6) D-1 Specialist Scheduling for 2008 programs
(7) D-2 Specialist Scheduling for 2008 programs
(8) D-6 Specialist Scheduling for 2008 programs
(9) Feral Hog program planning meeting- Hockley County, Met with CEA Hockley and IPM Agent Hockley to plan for a field day dealing with management of feral hog crop damage
(10) Playa Lakes Symposium 2007- served as Coordinator; facilitated Advisory Committee meeting
(a) Site search Castro County decided which playas would be used for field tour portion of upcoming PAD
(11) WILD (Wildlife Intensive Leadership Development)
(a) Assisted in planning upcoming events related to WILD programs
(12) Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference- Co-coordinator with TPWD; Texas Wildlife Association serving as partner; meeting to be August 08
d) 2008
(1) Texas Brigades- participation in monthly teleconferences as immediate Past President
(2) Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade Steering Committee
(a) Met at new camp location to plan logistical details, and discussion of curriculum needs/modifications
(3) Rolling Plains Bobwhite Brigade steering committee
(4) North Texas Buckskin Brigade Steering Committee
(5) RAWHIDE workshops planning
(6) Panhandle Wind and Wildlife Conference
(a) Co-coordinator for the conference
(b) Local arrangements chair
(7) South Plains Wind and Wildlife Conference
(a) planning for the Lubbock conference
(b) Co-coordinator for the conference
(c) Local arrangements chair
(8) Coordinated planning for series of three publications After the Conservation Reserve Program: Land Management Alternatives with Wildlife in Mind.
(9) Texas Quail Study Group Steering Committee
(a) Participated in initial planning meeting with stakeholders/steering committee in Odessa
(b) Numerous teleconferences
(10) Planning associated with various CEA-initiated county-level programs
(11) North Region strategic planning
(a) Range and Wildlife subcommittee service
(b) Participated in strategic planning for programming and reporting aimed at outlined objectives
(12) Coordinated field tour planning for Playa Appreciation Day, Castro County
(13) Assisted in planning numerous media releases
(14) Trans-Pecos Wildlife Conference- participated in numerous teleconferences and assisted in planning ; served on steering committee
(15) Planning associated with supporting county outcome plans that have wildlife emphasis
(16) Coordinated result Demo, Oldham County- planning for quail-related project
(17) Coordinated field tour planning and site visit- met with CEA Carson County to choose playas for field visit as part of upcoming Playa Lakes Appreciation Day
2. Faculty and Staff Training/Assistance (since last promotion)
a) 2005
(1) Coordinated and conducted North Region Agent Training in Moore County (Dumas) on Nature Tourism and Wildlife-related Opportunities. Gave presentations:
(a) “Quail Unlimited Expenditure Survey Results”
(b) “Management of Your Wildlife Resources for Sustainable Production: Upland Gamebirds, Mule Deer, and Whitetails”
(c) “Resources Available Through Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences”
(d) “Wildlife Programming Opportunities in the Panhandle”
b) 2006
(1) West Region Agent Training for Wildlife- Coordinator
(a) Trained CEAs on general wildlife management principles and gave programming ideas
(b) Gave presentations:
(i) “Deer Appreciation Days”
(ii) “Predator Appreciation Days”
(iii) “Deer Surveys/Using Remote Cameras”
(iv) “Use of GPS/GIS”
(2) North Region Agent Training for Wildlife and Nature Tourism- Coordinator
(a) North Region CEAs who direct wildlife-related outcome programs involved
(b) Gave presentations:
(i) “Nature Tourism Resources: Financial Planning and Nature Tourism Toolkit”
(ii) “Deer Survey Calculator/Remote Cameras for Deer Surveys”
(iii) “Texas Brigades Status and Bass Pro Shop DVD on Bobwhite Brigade”
(iv) “GPS/GIS Technology and its Usefulness to Extension Programming”
c) 2007
(1) North Region Agent Training- Matador WMA- TPWD- Coordinator
(a) Gave presentations
(i) “High Plains Wildlife Programming Focus Areas”
(ii) “Applied Research / Result Demonstration Ideas”
(iii) “Texas Brigades”
(2) West Region D-6 Agent Training- Coordinator
(a) Gave several presentations related to wildlife management, and programming focus areas
d) 2008
(1) North Region Agent Training (above the caprock)- Coordinator
(a) Gave presentations
(i) What CEAs Need to Know about Pronghorns, Pheasants, and Predators
(ii) Successful Programs- Feral Hogs, Playas, Pheasants, Pronghorns, and Predator Awareness Workshops
(iii) Demonstration of Camera Census
(iv) Texas Brigades as a Professional Development Opportunity.
(2) North Region Agent Training (below the caprock)- Coordinator
(a) Gave presentations
(i) What CEAs Need to Know about Pronghorns
(ii) Feral Hog Management and Wildlife Services Overview
(iii) Coping with Feral Hogs and Predator Awareness Workshops as examples of successful programs
(iv) Demonstration of Camera Census
(v) Texas Brigades as a Professional Development Opportunity.
(3) West Region Agent Training- Coordinator
(a) Gave presentations
(i) What CEAs Need to Know about Pronghorns
(ii) Feral Hog Management and Wildlife Services Overview
(iii) Coping with Feral Hogs and Predator Awareness Workshops as Successful Programs
(iv) Examples of Demonstrations- Camera Census and "Watch this Brush/Riparian Area/other"
(v) and Texas Brigades as a Professional Development Opportunities.
3. Implementation of Educational Programs
a) Individual Presentations, Products, Collaborations, and Media Interaction (since last promotion, see Table 1 and Appendix A)
Table 1. Summary of Extension programming effortsfor example period January 2005- August 2008.
Outreach and Extension Programming / Jan-Aug 2008 / 2007 / 2006 / 2005Clientele Reached (all) / 7,597 / 5,168 / 1,738 / 942
Clientele Reached (Group Methods) / 3,232 / 2,908 / 1,650 / not available
Clientele Reached (youth) / 1,580 / ~3,200 / 71 / 100
Contact Hours / 2,791 / 2,269 / 1,973 / 1,936
Sessions other than group educational meetings / 35 / 40 / 131 / not available
Educational Meetings (Presentations) / 22 (53) / 32 (61) / 38 (48) / 35 (99)
Individual Clientele Assistance / 1,214 / 870 / 825 / not available
Radio Interview / 5 / 7 / 2
Video Interview / 1 / 2 / 2
Print Media Interview / 2 / 6 / 2
Media Releases Coordinated / 1 / 2 / 2 / 3
Grants Awarded / $15,500 / $12,292
Refereed Journal Articles
/ 1Extension Publications – Peer Reviewed, print / 2 / 2
Extension Publications – Peer Reviewed electronic media / 1
Extension Publications- Peer Reviewed, online / 1
Symposium Proceedings / 1 / 1
Popular and Internet Articles / 6
Planning Groups Meetings and Clientele Panels / 45 / 25 / 38 / ~20
County Extension Agent Training / 3 / 2 / 2 / 1
B. Example Quantitative Measures of Teaching Effectiveness and Economic Impact
1. 2003
a) Predator Awareness Workshops
(1) 151 attendees
(2) 543,210 acres affected
(3) 6,205 animals estimated saved
(4) Value $1,179,819.
2. 2005
a) Predator Awareness Workshops
(1) 218 attendees
(2) Five, day-long meetings
(3) 36 % knowledge increase based on scores of pre/post-tests (range in test scores 19-60)
3. 2006
a) Predator Awareness Workshops
(1) 78 attendees
(2) Two day-long meetings
(3) 33 % knowledge increase based on scores of pre/post-tests (range 23-43)
b) RAWHIDE Workshops
(1) 54 attendees