2025 Range Manager of the Year: Allison Rofe

Allison Rofe exemplifies exceptional leadership in rangeland stewardship through more than two decades of professional dedication to conserving California rangelands while supporting ranchers and sustainable agricultural operations. Since 2019, she has served as the first Rangeland Specialist for the East Bay Regional Park District, where she leads a large and complex grazing program spanning over 84,000 acres across 35 parks. In this role, she has overseen more than $6 million in range infrastructure improvements and secured over $2 million in cost-share funding, completing more than 200 projects that benefit grazing tenants, enhance wildlife habitat, protect sensitive plant species, and reduce conflicts between livestock and public recreation. Her work includes extensive livestock water improvements, stockpond restorations, fencing and corral replacements, and the implementation of innovative tools to improve grazing operations and reporting.

Prior to her current position, Allison worked as a Range Conservationist with the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District and as a Rangeland Management Specialist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, where she developed grazing and conservation plans and supported ranchers with technical expertise. She holds a B.S. from Humboldt State University and an M.S. from UC Berkeley and is a Certified Rangeland Manager. Beyond her professional roles, Allison has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership through the Society for Range Management and numerous conservation organizations, spearheading educational initiatives, organizing statewide workshops, mentoring emerging professionals, and advancing public understanding of rangeland ecology. Her career reflects a sustained commitment to collaborative, science-based rangeland management and education.