**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE GREAT PLAINS OF THE UNITED STATES FACES A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES FROM A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT AND IN PARTICULAR A MORE EXTREME CLIMATE THAT WILL INCLUDE MORE HEAT WAVES, LONGER DROUGHTS, AND MORE EXTREME RAINFALL EVENTS. IN ADDITION, THE VEGETATION IS CHANGING FROM ONE DOMINATED BY GRASSLANDS TO THAT DOMINATED BY MORE TREES AND SHRUBS. AND FINALLY, WILDFIRES ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON. NEW MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ARE BEING DEVELOPED THAT WILL HELP LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS BETTER COPE WITH THESE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES. THESE STRATEGIES INCLUDE THE STRATEGIC USE OF GOATS AND FIRE. GOATS ARE INCREDIBLY HARDY AND ARE ABLE TO COPE WITH MORE EXTREME WEATHER BUT IN ADDITION THEY CAN BE USED TO THE INVASION BY WOODY PLANTS. ADDITIONALLY THE STRATEGIC USE OF FIRE ALSO MAKES LANDSCAPES MORE PRODUCTIVE AND REDUCES THAT AMOUNT OF WOODY COVER. THERE ARE MAJOR SOCIAL CONSTRAINTS WITH RESPECT TO USING BOTH GOATS AND FIRE. ACCORDINGLY OUR PROJECT WILL ESTABLISH 7 RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION CENTERS ACROSS THE GREAT PLAINS THAT WILL DEMONSTRATE THE BENEFITS OF THESE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. THESE CENTERS WILL BE THE FOCAL POINT OF INTENSE EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROMOTE THESE KINDS OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES.