I am sad to share the news that Dr. Robert “Bob” Blank, passed away on August 18, 2021, at the age of 70.  Dr. Blank was a Research Soil Scientist for over 34 years with the USDA-ARS-Great Basin Rangeland Research Unit (GBRRU) in Reno, NV.  After retiring in the fall of 2018, he stayed on as a part-time consultant and mentor for the unit and the University of Nevada-Reno.  Bob will be remembered by all who knew him as an excellent husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and most of all, an Agronomist/Soil Scientist, who was passionate about his research, and one who could think outside the box.

Bob was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI.  After graduating from High School, he went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Soil Science at the University of Wisconsin, a Master of Science in Soil Science from the University of Idaho, and a PhD in Soil Science from the University of Idaho.  He began his USDA career as a GS-7 with the Soil Conservation Service in Huron, SD from 1974 to 1981, then working as a graduate student with the University of Idaho, Department of Plants, Soils, and Entomology from 1982-1986.  Following his graduate studies, Bob moved his family to Reno, NV and started his work with the GBRRU. After his retirement, he continued to work on soil related issues throughout the Great Basin as an Emeritus Scientist.  Bob’s areas of research expertise included Great Basin pedology, plant-soil relationships of invasive plants, physio-chemical mechanisms by which perennial grasses suppress invasive annual grasses, fire ecology, and repeated photography for ecological assessment.

Over the years, Bob was an active member of the scientific community, presenting at more than two dozen Society for Range Management and Soil Science related meetings.  He presented many times at the Nevada Section Society for Range Management winter meetings and conducted field tours.  He served on the Society for Range Management’s Global Change and Rangelands Task Force.  He published over 200 papers, which were diverse and encompassed the broad areas of Fire Ecology, Pedology, Plant-Soil Relationships, Weed Ecology, and Riparian Ecosystems.  He is the recipient of Editor’s Citation of Excellence for Associate Editor, Soil Science Society of America, and a Nevada Sustained Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in science and engineering.  He served on RPES panels from 1998 to 2007 and as Location Coordinator at the GBRRU in Reno, NV from 1997 through 2002.  Bob also served as Adjunct Faculty with the Department of Natural Resource and Environmental Sciences at the University of Nevada, mentoring dozens of graduate students.  He was invited on numerous occasions to be a guest speaker for classes at the University of Nevada-Reno, provided hands-on training on laboratory procedures, and hosted field trips.

There will be a memorial service held on October 23, 2021, at 1:00 pm at the Faith Lutheran Church, 2075 W. 7^th Street, Reno, Nevada, that is open to all.

Robert L. Matteri, PhD

Director, Pacific West Area

USDA Agricultural Research Service

The Nugget has always supported Nevada Rangelands, SRM and now Range Camp!  Thank you for all you do !

The following announcements will launch on USAJOBS on 7/20/2021.

These vacancies have an applicant limit of 30. Once applicant limit is reached the announcement will close (which may be sooner than the closing date).

Rangeland Management Specialist, GS-0454-5/7

Announcement No: NV-DEU-21-11173243-KK

Opens: 7/20/2021 – Closes: 8/2/2021

Location: Caliente, NV and Winnemucca, NV

Promotion Potential:  GS-11

Relocation Expenses: No

 

Who May Be Considered: All U.S. Citizens – No previous Federal Service is required.

 

To apply, please visit the website address:    https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/608022700

 

Rangeland Management Specialist, GS-0454-9/11

Announcement No: NV Merit-21-11173570-KK

Opens: 7/20/2021 – Closes: 8/2/2021

Location: Caliente, NV and Winnemucca, NV

Promotion Potential:  GS-11

Relocation Expenses: No

 

Who May Be Considered: Current/former federal employees with competitive/reinstatement eligibility; CTAP/ICTAP eligibles within the local commuting area; Veteran Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA); Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA); Veterans more than 30% disabled eligible; Persons eligible under Special Hiring Authorities, Schedule A and/or individuals w/disabilities; Public Land Corp eligibles; and Current/former time-limited employees eligible under PL-114-47, Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA).

 

To apply, please visit the website address:    https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/608024900

Register now for the 2021 NV section SRM summer field tour !

 

Agenda

 

Registration

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