ABSTRACT
Building public understanding of principles of land and water management is a difficult task. The learner's attention is often difficult to capture, the time he or she has available is limited, and there is a shortage of people with adequate technical background and time to conduct public workshops. Computer simulation has proven to be an extremely effective way to help youth and adults understand the major problems involved in management of natural resource systems. The unique nature of computer simulation captures attention at fairs, service club presentations, and in school classes. Montana State University has developed computer simulations for public education programs on energy, water resource management, electrical power management, grazing land management, and home energy conservation. The Grazing Land Education program consists of resource materials, workshop plans, instructor training, and a grazing-land-management simulator. The simulator may be programmed for other climate and soil conditions by obtaining forage growth records for the region of interest.
