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 agricultural 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 demonstrates MALT’s commitment to share information, recommendations and consultation based on the latest science and proven practices.

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.

Portrait of Scott Dunbar

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.

More stories like this:

A group of hikers on MALT-protected land

2025: A Year in Pictures

December 5, 2025

From historic land protection to community resilience, these moments tell the story of our collective work to sustain Marin’s agricultural heritage.

Read More

Cow in green pastures in Marin County - MALT

Why Protecting Land Isn’t Enough—How SAP Makes It Thrive

November 14, 2025

MALT’s Stewardship Assistance Program SAP has invested $2.4M+ in ranch resilience since 2002. Learn more about this essential stewardship.

Read More

Grandma Hillendahl's Brisket Sauerbraten recipe—a perfect centerpiece for holiday entertaining—one ingredient caught our attention: gingersnap cookies in the gravy.

We Asked Marin Farmers for Their Most Conversation-Sparking Holiday Recipes

November 14, 2025

The best holiday recipes break all the rules. Beef in pecan pie. Gingersnap cookies thickening gravy. These Marin County farmers aren’t following tradition—they’re making new ones. This holiday season, we reached out to local farmers and ranchers to share their most unexpected culinary traditions—the kind that sound surprising at first, but make perfect sense once…

Read More