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Dr. J. Derek Scasta

Ecosystem Science and Management

Ag C 1009

Department #3354

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-2337

Fax: (307) 766-6403

Email: jscasta@uwyo.edu

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Dr. J. Derek Scasta

Ecosystem Science and Management

Derek Scasta

Rangeland Extension Specialist, Associate Professor of Rangeland Management, Plant – Herbivore Interactions Ecologist

I joined the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management in August of 2014 after completing my Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University.  Before starting my Ph.D. program, I worked for seven years as an Extension Educator in Texas conducting educational programming and applied research in range and livestock production.  I am currently an Associate Professor, Extension Rangeland Management Specialist, and Associate Director for the Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC).  My overarching interest for all activities is to bridge the gap between agriculture and conservation on rangelands.
 
My activities can be grouped in three broadly focused areas:
 
  1. Range livestock production decisions associated with variable forage quality and quantity resources, topographical constraints, toxic plants, policy stipulations, parasites, and ecological concerns.  This area of focus has involved ranchers from around Wyoming and surrounding regions.
  2. How livestock and wildlife interact in using the landscape to meet various resource needs.  This area of focus has included cattle, sheep, wild horses and burros, prairie dogs, pronghorn, songbirds, sage-grouse, and predators.
  3. How climate influences vegetation succession and disturbance such as wildfire and prescribed affects livestock and wildlife.  This area of focus has included the effects of drought on livestock production, effects of fire on forage quality and shrubs like sagebrush and greasewood, and generally rangeland plant communities.
 
I am heavily involved with extending research from the University of Wyoming to the people across the state, including: livestock producers, employees of state and federal land management agencies (Wyoming Game and Fish, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, USDA, USFS, BLM, NPS, BIA, etc.), commodity groups (Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Wool Growers Association, Wyoming Section for the Society for Range Management, etc.), and Extension Educators.  
 
Contact Us

Dr. J. Derek Scasta

Ecosystem Science and Management

Ag C 1009

Department #3354

1000 E. University Ave.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-2337

Fax: (307) 766-6403

Email: jscasta@uwyo.edu

Find us on Instagram (Link opens a new window)Find us on Facebook (Link opens a new window)Find us on Twitter (Link opens a new window)Find us on LinkedIn (Link opens a new window)Find us on YouTube (Link opens a new window)