Ecosystem Science & Management

Dr. Rector, Extension Range Specialist at Texas A&M University, is with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in the Department of Rangeland Ecology and Management. Dr. Rector received his B.S. (1972) and M.S. (1976) in Biology (with an emphasis in Plant Taxonomy) from Angelo State University. He received his Ph.D. (1983) from Texas A&M University in Rangeland Ecology and Management. From 1973 to 1981, he served with Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in San Angelo, Texas. His professional experience is biology, chemistry, plant taxonomy, environmental ecology and range animal nutrition. Dr. Rector's current program responsibility include urban natural resource program development, rangeland seeding, grazing management, plant ID and youth programming.

Dr. Rector's educational programming responsibilities focus on teaching rural and urban constituencies principals of ecology, range monitoring, how to evaluate biological interrelationships of ecosystems. These principals are taught by presentation, development of news articles, popular articles, videos, demonstration and on-site visits. Issues involving urban sprawl and the impact of man on the rangeland ecosystem is an important area of programming interest.

Dr. Rector is recognized nationally and internationally for his plant identification skills, training workshops which include discussing poisonous plant issues, exotic, noxious weed management and plant materials important to agriculture and urban interests in native plants. He is also nationally and internationally known for his work with training youth about natural resources conservation and use, to include the development of youth leadership programs. Barron has received numerous awards for his ability to effectively communicate with clientele about the rangeland resource.