Position Title
In Memoriam
UC Cooperative Extension Emeritus
1932-2022
WILLIAM J. (JIM) CLAWSON
Birth: February 4, 1932, Oakland, California
Death: January 7, 2022, Dallas, Oregon
Education
- Livermore High School, California, 1950
- Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon
- Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University), Range Management
- B.S., Animal Science, UC Davis, 1956
- M.S., Animal Husbandry, UC Davis, 1961
Military Service
- Oregon Air National Guard, 1950
- U.S. Air Force
Employment
- Marketing Association, California Farm Bureau Federation (Visalia, CA)
- Agricultural and Natural Resources Program, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
- UC Cooperative Extension 4-H Advisor, Ventura County (1962–1964)
- UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Range Farm Advisor, San Luis Obispo County (1964–1968)
- UCCE Animal Science Specialist, UC Davis (1968–1972)
- UCCE Range Specialist, Agronomy and Range Science, UC Davis (1972–1992)
- Extension Range Specialist Emeritus (1992–1997; continued collaboration post-retirement)
Honors, Awards, and Professional Societies
- President, California Section, Society for Range Management
- Range Manager of the Year, Society for Range Management, 1990
- Outstanding Achievement Award, Society for Range Management, 1993
- UC Davis Quarter Century Club and Half-Century Honoree
Research Contributions and Impact
Clawson’s career marked a pivotal shift in Cooperative Extension’s engagement with public policy in rangeland management. He led early efforts to frame Extension work around ecological and policy-based concerns, including pioneering the adoption of residual dry matter (RDM) as a tool for monitoring grazing. His sabbatical at Colorado State University enriched UC’s program by introducing range ecosystem and whole-ranch planning frameworks.
He played a central role in launching statewide efforts on rangeland water quality, coordinating the development of the California Rangeland Water Quality Management Plan and contributing to the Rangeland Watershed Program. His science-based leadership helped agencies and ranchers address nonpoint source pollution through cooperative education and applied research.
Publications and Scholarly Leadership
Clawson contributed to applied research and technical bulletins through the UC Agricultural Experiment Station and collaborative efforts, such as the International Biological Program's Grassland Biome Project. He also helped develop and deliver educational programs such as the Annual Grassland Short Course and ranch water quality planning workshops.
Teaching and Mentorship
An enthusiastic mentor, Clawson advised and trained generations of Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists. He emphasized inclusion by supporting the first women livestock and range advisors in the UC system. He co-led faculty training programs and promoted interdisciplinary instruction between UC Davis and Cal Poly.
Collaboration and Community
Clawson was a deeply collaborative leader. He formed lasting partnerships with Colorado State University, Oregon State University, Cal Poly, and multiple federal and state agencies. He helped launch California’s Coordinated Resource Management Projects and developed programs focused on riparian management and nonpoint-source pollution control. His cross-disciplinary approach united agronomists, soil scientists, hydrologists, foresters, and livestock specialists to address complex issues related to range and water quality.
Legacy
Jim Clawson helped redefine UC’s role in addressing environmental and policy issues on rangelands. He bridged the gaps between science and practice, university and community, and ranchers and regulators. His efforts helped establish residual dry matter as a grazing standard, institutionalized range water quality planning across millions of acres, and brought a holistic, people-first approach to range science.
References
For additional tributes and sources, see: