MALT Strengthens Stewardship with New Rangeland Certification
August 15, 2025
We’re excited to share that MALT stewardship team member, Scott Dunbar, has earned his certification as a Certified Rangeland Manager from the State of California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection in partnership with the Cal-Pac section of the Society for Range Management.
This achievement highlights the dedicated professionals who make up MALT’s Stewardship Team— experts working behind the scenes to support ranchers and farmers on conserved lands throughout Marin County.
What “Certified Rangeland Manager” Means
Becoming a Certified Rangeland Manager (CRM) requires meeting rigorous professional and academic standards that demonstrate deep expertise in rangeland ecology and management. Scott completed specialized education requirements, accumulated extensive professional experience, and passed a comprehensive examination covering:
Rangeland ecology and plant science
Understanding how grasslands, oak woodlands, and other rangeland ecosystems function
Soil and water management
Protecting and enhancing these critical resources on working lands
Grazing management strategies
Optimizing livestock operations for both production and environmental outcomes
Wildlife habitat enhancement
Creating conditions that support diverse native species
Erosion control and restoration
Healing damaged lands and preventing future degradation
Regulatory compliance
Navigating environmental regulations while maintaining viable ranch operations
This certification is recognized statewide as the gold standard for rangeland management expertise, ensuring Scott stays current with the latest research and best practices in the field.
MALT’s Team: A Wealth of Expertise
Scott’s certification highlights the depth of knowledge available through MALT’s Stewardship Team. While each team member brings unique expertise, they all share a commitment to helping landowners achieve both production and conservation goals.
Scott Dunbar now brings certified rangeland management expertise to complement his years of hands-on experience working in Marin County and across Northern California’s rangelands and ranch and farmland. His certification ensures you receive information, recommendations and consultation based on the latest science and proven practices.
How This Benefits You as a Farmer or Rancher
Working with MALT’s Stewardship Team means you have access to a team to help:
Optimize Your Grazing Management
Scott can work with you to help develop customized grazing plans and systems that coordinate pasture productivity with enhanced soil health, water retention, and biodiversity. Whether you’re dealing with invasive species, or wanting to improve forage quality or quantity, his certified expertise ensures recommendations are based on proven science.
Navigate Complex Environmental Challenges
From drought resilience strategies to wildfire fuel reduction, Scott brings certified knowledge of how to manage rangelands for multiple objectives. This expertise is particularly valuable as climate conditions continue to evolve and environmental regulations become more complex.
Access Latest Research and Techniques
Certification requires ongoing education, meaning Scott stays connected to cutting-edge research from partners such as UC Cooperative Extension, National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and other leading institutions. This ensures you receive recommendations based on the most current science available.
Strengthen Your Conservation Outcomes
MALT’s mission is to preserve agricultural lands while supporting viable farming and ranching operations. Scott’s certification enhances our ability to help you achieve both production and conservation goals simultaneously—protecting the natural resources that make your land valuable while maintaining its economic productivity.
Practical Support You Can Expect
With a Certified Rangeland Manager on staff, MALT can now offer enhanced technical assistance including:
• Site-specific management recommendations tailored to your property
• Grazing system design that optimizes livestock performance and ecosystem health
• Restoration planning for degraded areas or areas impacted by wildfire
• Monitoring protocols to track the success of management changes over time
• Regulatory guidance to ensure your operations meet environmental requirements
• Cost-share program navigation to help you access funding for conservation practices
The Team Approach to Land Stewardship
MALT’s Stewardship Team works collaboratively to address the complex challenges facing working lands. Scott’s certification strengthens this team-based approach, ensuring that whether you’re dealing with grazing management, habitat enhancement, or regulatory compliance, you have access to expertise that understands Marin’s agricultural community and working lands.
This integrated support system reflects MALT’s understanding that effective land conservation requires diverse knowledge and ongoing professional development while understanding our community. By investing in staff certifications and specialized training, MALT ensures you receive the highest quality technical assistance available.
Ready to Connect with Our Team?
Whether you’re facing specific rangeland challenges or want to explore opportunities to enhance your operation, MALT’s Stewardship Team—including Scott’s certified rangeland expertise—is here to help.
Contact us to learn more about how our team can support your land management goals, and watch for upcoming features introducing more members of your Stewardship Team.
MALT is proud to continue investing in the professional development of our staff to better serve the ranchers and farmers who are the backbone of Marin County’s agricultural heritage and environmental stewardship.
About MALT’s Stewardship Program
Our Stewardship Program provides ongoing support to ranchers on conserved lands, ensuring that MALT’s agricultural easements achieve both production and conservation objectives. Our team is equipped to provide the science-based technical assistance that makes sustainable agriculture successful on protected lands.