Ranging

"Wildlands " to me are almost "all of the outdoors " but almost everyone knows what we mean by wildlands - "the forest, fields, and templed hills. " As a native Virginian, I have worked in the state and its wildlands for over 35 years. I worked actively with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (then "The Commission) for 4 years as a biologist out of Covington, Virginia. I have taught and done research at Virginia Tech for 30 years, all related to Virginia's wildlife resources. With TVA support I created the woodland resource management system of TVA once used on 300 farms a year. I delivered the first non-game plan to the Commission. With staff and students, I created the first wildlife information base (BOVA). I created a GIS of the State starting with a student's thesis in 1969 (before the activity of computer mapping was called GIS). I started the Powell River Project in southwestern Virginia and worked in planning for the coalfield for over 8 years. As a Roanoke County landowner, former chairman of the Blacksburg planning commission, consultant to the National Wildlife Refuge System, aid to the legal staff of the State Corporation Commission (powerlines impacts) I can bring knowledge and experience to an RRR System.

A Certified Wildlife Biologist, I've taught graduate level wildlife resource management courses for years, both at Virginia Tech and the University of Idaho. My list of publications on wildlife and related topics exceeds 200, including two "principles " wildlife textbooks and a techniques manual. I have taught practical resource management for years. Failing (as I perceive it) to get into practice most of our excellent students' ideas and discoveries (and those of others), I have prepared the materials within this Web site on Rangin' 'Round the Region.

I am now convinced that a superior demonstration of modern land use and natural resource management is badly needed and is now possible. I do not want to do research; I want to use research to demonstrate the results of literally millions of dollars of un-used findings.

I view wildland resource management as "decision making " and it would be silly to ignore a powerful decision-making tool, the computer. I propose to bring all the power of the computer that I can to realistic and relevant use on the area. This will include much of that power already achieved by investments of the Department. I am hopeful that work with the RRR System will allow me to pull the resources available into practice. Because I argue for a general systems approach, many of the systems can then be used at no extra cost throughout the region area.

I retired from the University in June, 1998, and propose to continue to work to create superior wildland resource systems. I wish to work to achieve other areas so that the same principles and techniques can be applied to benefit more people.

I am very aware that the organizers of the RRR System, citizens, and potential benefactors may have different objectives. Subject to the law, I propose to create systems that achieve such objectives, subject to reasonable issues of cost, propriety, and community acceptance. Of course I shall share alternatives when they are available.

The "bottom line " of this letter and for the systems that I propose to design is that these lands should be ecologically sound, at least financially "break-even " over the long-term (but more than that with a new paradigm of responsible management), and rich with wildlife resources and outdoor opportunities for people for healthful living. We can create such systems, but they are more complex than once thought. The work will be challenging and worth the effort.

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.