Cowboys and modellers in Nevada

The Saval Ranch project involved meeting with cowboys and various BLM / university scientists in Elko, Nevada, building a simulation model to help understand the effects of cattle grazing on plants, water, birds and fish. Like many early models, it got complicated really quickly, and forced the building of a much simpler version. The simple model was well received as they understood what was going on. Our biggest contribution was teaching the value of integrated systems thinking, and the need for strong experimental designs to detect the effects of their alternative grazing treatments.