Fred Provenza
S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
Wildland Resources
For the past 30 years, Fred Provenza, professor in Utah State University’s Department of Wildland Resources, and his team have produced ground-breaking research that has laid the foundation for what is now known as behavior-based management of livestock, wildlife and landscapes.
Provenza’s research has led to the creation in 2001 of a consortium known as BEHAVE (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation and Ecosystem management). With scientists and land managers from five continents, BEHAVE is committed to integrating behavioral principles and processes with local knowledge to enhance ecological, economic and social values of rural and urban communities and landscapes.
As senior author or coauthor, Provenza has published 160 original research articles in peer-reviewed journals and another 70 invited synthesis papers in journals, books, and proceedings. His most cited paper has been referenced 224 times, which signifies the impact he has made on his field of study. In 1999, he received the W.R. Chapline Research Award from the Society for
Range Management for outstanding research accomplishments. This is the most prestigious research award given by the Society. That same year, he also received the University Outstanding Graduate Mentor award from Utah State University.
Provenza has always felt that guiding students through research is of utmost importance. As a result, he has supervised nearly 60 M.S. and Ph.D. graduate and post-doctoral students from 19 different countries. Provenza is progressive an innovative in his research and is a pioneer in his field.