Interview with John L. Artz

John L. Artz was a professor and range management specialist in the Division of Renewable Natural Resources, 1966-1985, and Associate Director of the Cooperative Extension Service, 1982-1984. Following his retirement from the University, Artz served five years as the first National Range Management Program leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Service, Washington, D.C. He spent three years as Vice-President and then became President of the Society for Range Management in 1992.

The Society for Range Management (SRM) was founded in 1948 and is an organization concerned with rangeland and its renewable resources. Membership interests encompass ranching, wildlife biology, hydrology, range conservation, soil conservation, students, teachers, and private industry and are divided into national, regional, or state sections.

In 1996, the Society celebrated 50 years, and as part of the event recorded interviews with past presidents. Rex Cleary, (SRM President, 1990) interviewed John Artz at the University of Nevada, Reno. In the interview, Artz discusses his years as an educator and his career in range management, as well as the accomplishments and challenges as president of SRM.