Dr. Ron J. Johnson Professor Department of Forestry & Natural Resources Phone: 864-656-6802 Fax: 864-656-3304 Email: ronj@clemson.edu Personal Web Page: under construction

Academic Education Background

Degrees	Institutions	Major fields of study	Dates of degrees
Ph.D.	Cornell University	Wildlife Science (Minors: Behavioral Biology and Communication Arts)	1979
M.S.	The Ohio State University	Wildlife Ecology	1973
B.S.	The Ohio State University (With distinction)	Wildlife Management	1968

Work Experience & Positions Held

• Professor, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, 2007–present
• Professor & Extension Wildlife Specialist, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), 2004–2007
• Professor, Extension Wildlife Specialist, & Extension/Outreach Coordinator, School of Natural Resources, (additional mergers 2003), UNL, 2000–2004
• Professor & Extension Wildlife Specialist, School of Natural Resource Sciences, UNL. (Several units merged to form the School), 1997–2000
• Professor & Extension Wildlife Specialist, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, UNL. (Associate Professor: 1985-1993; Assistant Professor: 1979-1985) Appointment (UNL): 69% Extension, 31% Research Graduate Faculty Fellow (Jan 1993), Tenure (Jul 1986) , 1993–1997

Click here for earlier work experience

Academic Interests

Research Interests:

• Avian conservation and function in managed landscapes, primarily agroecosystems
• Agroecology - Healthy Farm Index; bird-friendly farming
• Avian habitat relationships
• Ecological and behavioral aspects of wildlife damage.

Outreach Interests:

• Wildlife stewardship in backyards, acreages, and farms
• Songbirds, pest birds, and snakes
• Family outdoor activities; youth life skills development
• Research Division Project: Integrating Biological Diversity Into Managed Land-use Systems, NEB-40-039. 2005–2010.

Program Links:

• Organic Working Group, http://organic.unl.edu
• Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership (Co-founder & Co-leader, 1999-2007), http://ternandplover.unl.edu/
• Reptiles and Amphibians of Nebraska, http://snr.unl.edu/herpneb/

Position, PhD student - Click here for details

Graduate & Undergraduate Student Research

• Graduate student advising: Currently 1 PhD student, 1 MS student. Major professor for 16 completed M.S. students, 8 of whom won 10 awards; co-chaired PhD committee (2001); and served on advisory committee for 10 other M.S. students.
• Current graduate projects: M. Pummill (MS, finish ~Dec 08, conservation through bird-friendly farm certification). J. Quinn (PhD, co-advisor. finish ~Dec 09, birds and Healthy Farm Index).

  Completed graduate students, click here

• Undergraduate research: Major advisor for four student research projects: one honors program (2000) and three environmental studies (1997, 2000); co-advised one 2006-2007.

Grants and Contracts

• Improving organic farming systems across Nebraska agroecoregions. $762,949. Funded. (Sep 05–Sep 09). PI’s: C.Shapiro, J. Brandle, D. Baltensperger, R. Johnson, R. Wright, S. Knezevic, C. Francis. Integrated Organic Program, USDA-CSREES.
• Investigating opportunities for rural development through bird-friendly farms and agricultural / nature tourism. $15,300. Funded (Jun 06–Jun 07). University of Nebraska Rural Initiative, Community of Scholars. PI’s: R. Johnson, J. Brandle, E. Blankenship.
• Potential for grassland birds to suppress insect pests in cropfields. $5,000. Funded. (May 05–April 07). Sampson Range and Pasture Management Endowment. PI’s: R. Johnson, J. Brandle, E. Blankenship.
• Integrating biological diversity into managed land-use systems. $5,000 (2 awards of 2,500). Funded (Jun 04–Dec 06) Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Contract. PI: R. Johnson.
• Interactions among life-forms in secondary succession on restored wetlands. $20,000. Funded (2004-2006). UNL, ARD Interdisciplinary Research Grant. PI’s: P. Reece, R. Johnson, et al.
• Common sense conservation of endangered species, 05-08. $222,513. Funded (2005-2008). Nebraska Environmental Trust. PI’s: R. Held and R. Johnson.

Click here for list of grants

Selected Publications

Research:

Cooperative Extension and outreach:

Click here for publication list

Courses Taught

• Recognition plaque from conservation partners: Nebraska’s Wild Bird Habitat Stores, for “… conservation of birds and creating partnerships …” between the university and community for the benefit of birds. (August 2007)
• Distinguished Service Award, 1999. Epsilon Sigma Phi – Nebraska (Extension Honorary)
• Team Award – Earthbound Team, 1996. Epsilon Sigma Phi – Nebraska (Extension Honorary)
• Distinguished Service Award, 1989. Nebraska Cooperative Extension Association.
• Certified Wildlife Biologist, 1989. The Wildlife Society.
• Selected for Who's Who in the Midwest, 20th (1985) and 21st (1987) Editions and for Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, First Edition (1987).
• Award of Excellence for publication “Who's Who in Great Plains Songbirds” (EC 84 1757) from Agricultural Communicators in Education, Washington, D.C. (June, 1985).
• Excellence in Extension Programming Award (co winner), November 1983. Cooperative Extension, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• Outstanding Teaching Associate, Biology Department, The Ohio State University, 1975.
• Graduated with distinction in wildlife management (1968); received $900 research scholarship.
• Towers Honorary, 1968. The Ohio State University.
• Directed research receiving student recognition (8 students, 10 awards):

  • Best Poster Award for poster presentation (K. Kessler, R. J. Johnson co-recipients), Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Dec 91
  • Outstanding Student Award for paper presentation, (K. Kessler), Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop, Apr 91
  • Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Graduate Student Research Award, (K. Poague 1992; N. Sunderman 1993, H. Puckett 2005, M. Pummill, J. Quinn 2007).
  • Best science paper for paper presentation, (A. Koehler), 44th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, December 1982.
  • Widaman Trust Distinguished Graduate Assistant Stipends, UNL (A. Koehler 1982; B. Holm 1984)

• IANR Liaison Committee (2006–2007)
• SNR Director Search Advisory Committee (2006 – 2007)
• Nebraska Birding Trails Committee, Nebraska Partnership for All Bird Conservation, (Dec 2003–2007)
• Awards Committee, Nebraska Chapter, The Wildlife Society. 2004–2007
• UNL Statistics Promotion and Tenure Committee, Dec 2001–2007.
• Coordinator for Prairie Pines, 145-acre property w/ 2 houses & buildings, for research and education. 2000–2007.
• SNR Hardin Hall Transition Committee Jun 2005–2007.
• SNR Outreach Committee, Ex Officio as Extension/Outreach Coordinator 2000-2004) Elected 2004–2006
• IANR Master Conservationist Committee 2004–2005
• Temporary Acting Director, School of Natural Resource Sciences, Nov/Dec 2002.
• CES Dean’s Advisory Committee, 1998–2000.
• Minor in Environmental Education Development Committee (minor approved), 2000–2001.
• IANR Marketing Advisory Committee, May 1998-1999.
• Board member, Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society, March 2000–2003.
• Senator Kerrey’s Endangered Species Task Force, April 1997–1998.
• Founding Co-chair, Nebraska Organizations for Environmental Education (NOFEE) (1996–1998), assisted transition to unite with another group to form NACEE (Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environment Education).
• Board member, Epsilon Sigma Phi, Nebraska chapter, 1995–1998.
• Patent: Bird exclusion technique, Magic Halo. United States, 5295455, March 1994. (Repels House Sparrows from feeders; marketed through Bird-X).

Professional Affiliations