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Faculty
Dr. Joanna Endter-Wada
Professor of Natural Resource Policy and Social Science
Department of Environment & Society
Quinney College of Natural Resources
435-797-2487 | joanna.endter-wada@usu.edu | BNR 270A
About Me
Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Endter-Wada researches the human dimensions of water conservation and drought management.
Click to view Dr. Endter-Wada's Publications on Selected Works
Education:
Ph.D. Program in Comparative Culture, School of Social Sciences, University of California at Irvine, 1987 (Emphasis Areas: political economy; cultural anthropology; rural sociology; U.S. History)
M.A. Program in Comparative Culture, School of Social Sciences, University of California at Irvine, 1979
B.A. Comparative Culture and Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, 1977 (summa cum laude) (Music and Mathematics, Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, 1972-1975, transferred)
Recent Projects:
- WaterMAPS™: WaterMAPS is a software tool that identifies urban properties with irrigated landscapes that have the greatest “capacity to conserve” water so that conservation information and interventions can be directed and tailored to water users at those locations.
Biography:
Dr. Joanna Endter-Wada is a Professor of Natural Resource Policy and Social Science. Her research generally focuses on conceptualizing and analyzing linkages between humans and biophysical aspects of ecosystems, with emphases on water, urban landscapes, public land, forest resources, and fisheries. She is currently conducting research on human dimensions of drought and climate change, urban landscape water use, and wetlands. During her professional career, Dr. Endter-Wada has been involved in numerous activities related to translation between academic disciplines and translation of science to the general public. She has directed and been involved in interdisciplinary academic programs and research projects. At present, Dr. Endter-Wada directs the NEPA Graduate Certificate Program and advises graduate students in the Master of Natural Resources and in the Human Dimensions of Ecosystem Science and Management degree programs. Her former students have gone on to work in academia, natural resource agencies, and non-profit organizations.
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Dr. Paul Johnson
Professor of Turfgrass Science
Department of Plant, Soils and Climate
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
435-797-7039 | paul.johnson@usu.edu | AGRS 344A
About Me
Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Johnson develops bluegrass species with increased drought and salt tolerance for better adaptation to Intermountain West environments.
Education:
Ph.D. Horticulture, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota. Related field: Plant breeding, 1995.
M.S. Horticulture, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1991.
B.S. Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 1986.
Current Research Projects:
- Evaluation and development of stress tolerant and sustainable turfgrasses for the Intermountain West. Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Center for Water Efficient Landscaping, United States Department of Agriculture, Utah Botanical Center.
- Improved understanding and testing for salinity tolerance in cool-season turfgrasses, United States Golf Association.
- National Variety Trials: Tall fescue test, fineleaf fescue test, fairway bentgrass test, putting green bentgrass test. National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, Utah Agricultural Experiment Station.
Teaching:
Professional Turf / Urban Landscape Water Management, PSC 5100.
- Turfgrass Management, PSC 3810
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Dr. Kelly Kopp
Professor/Extension Water Conservation, Turfgrass Specialist
Department of Plant, Soils and Climate
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
(435) 757-6650 (C) | (435) 797-3376 (F) | kelly.kopp@usu.edu | AGRS 334 | @kopptweets
Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Kopp's research aims to improve the efficiency of landscape irrigation with projects that include plant water use efficiency evaluations, appropriate irrigation system design, and smart water application technologies.
Click to view Dr. Kopp's Publications on Selected WorksEducation:
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY, 2000
University of Connecticut - Storrs, Connecticut
Department of Plant Science: Agronomy (Turfgrass Science)
MASTER OF SCIENCE, 1996
University of Connecticut - Storrs, Connecticut
Department of Natural Resource Management and Engineering: Hydrology
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, 1991
Texas A&M University - College Station, Texas
Interdisciplinary Degree: Natural Resource Conservation, Soil Science emphasis
Recent Projects:
- Landscape Lysimeter Project: This on-going project addresses the water use of three types of plants—woody, herbaceous perennial, turf—from three types of landscapes—Mesic, Mixed, Xeric. The purpose of this project is to understand the effect of plant type and plant density on water conservation in the landscape.
- Water Check Program: This outreach program helps Utahns to meet water conservation goals by ensuring that irrigation systems are operating efficiently.
Dr. Larry Rupp
Professor Emeritus Ornamental Horticulture, Extension Specialist
Department of Plant, Soils and Climate
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
435-232-1158 | larry.rupp@usu.edu | AGRS 337
Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Rupp works on the development of plants native to the intermountain region for use in water conserving landscapes.
Education:
Doctorate of Philosophy Cornell University, Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture, 1984
Recent Projects:
- Propagating Bigtooth Maple: The use of native Utah plants in the landscape has the potential for water conservation in the landscape. this project includes selection of superior cultivars and experimentation of efficient propagation techniques for introduction into the nursery industry.
- Native Plants for low-water landscapes: As demand for water increases, some of these plant materials are coming under scrutiny and more water efficient alternatives are being sought.
Teaching:
Courses currently taught include Greenhouse Management and Crop Production, Arboriculture, and Plant Propagation. Also direct the Masters of Professional Studies in Horticulture – Water Efficient Landscape Management emphasis. Previously taught classes include Landscape Maintenance, Ornamental Horticulture Seminar, Senior Seminar, Water Conservation Seminar, and Water Conservation Readings.
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Candace Schaible
Professional Practice Extension Associate Professor
Iron County Extension
(435) 586-8132 | candace.schaible@usu.edu | Iron County Extension
About Me
Areas of Expertise:
Ms. Schaible is an Extension Associate Professor in Iron County, Utah. With a focus on horticulture, she works to educate homeowners on best practices for water conservation in the landscape.
Dr. Youping Sun
Assistant Professor Landscape Horticulture
Department of Plant, Soils and Climate
College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
435-797-2972 | youping.sun@usu.edu | AGRS 336
About Me
Areas of Expertise:
Dr. Sun's research focuses on understanding the whole-plant response of herbaceous and woody plants to natural or managed water stress in urban landscapes and promoting the use of native plants for water-efficient landscaping.
Education:
Doctorate of Philosophy University of Maine, Plant Science, 2010
Masters of Science Huazhong University of Science & Technology, China, Biochemical Engineering 2004
Bachelor of Science Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China, Biotechnology 2001