News and Events
Grass Identification Course — Saturday & Sunday, June 22-23
We will be offering a two-day field course taught by Justin Trujillo (author of A Field Guide to Grasses and Grass-like Plants of Idaho) that will focus on learning the basic morphology of grasses and grass-like plants. This course will cover identification of mostly cool — and some warm-season grasses common in the sagebrush steppe. Students will receive a plant press, hand lens and identification book for the course fee.
This course does not include meals; those enrolled should plan to bring food/snacks and water into the field each day. There is limited onsite camping available — contact for reservations.
This course is eligible for six continuing education credits through the Society for Range Management.
Cost is $75 per person
Register early — the course is limited to 20 participants.
Questions? Please email Justin Trujillo (jjtrujillo2003@gmail.com) or Tracey Johnson (traceyj@uidaho.edu)
RRCR Data Monitoring Blitz — Monday-Wednesday, June 24-26
Please join us out at the ranch this summer for the annual Rinker Rock Creek Ranch monitoring blitz. We need volunteers to come out and identify plants and grasses throughout the ranch. Please come prepared to camp and hike.
June 24 at 1 p.m. MT
Training on data collection protocol
June 25-26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT
Data collection
Let us know if you are only able to stay for a portion of the blitz.
To Sign Up, please email Patience Mateer at pmateer@uidaho.edu
Questions? Contact Tracey Johnson at traceyj@uidaho.edu
For media inquiries, please contact
- Cameron Weskamp, Operations Manager — 208-721-4134, cpacker@uidaho.edu
- Tracey Johnson, Director of Research — 208-364-4633, traceyj@uidaho.edu
Media coverage
- Feb. 3, 2023 — mtexpress.com, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch research center gets $1.34 million for upgrades
- Jan. 30, 2023 — postregister.com, U of I researching artificial beaver dams as stream restoration tool
- Jan. 25, 2023 — kmvt.com, U of I’s Rinker Rock Creek Ranch gives students hands-on learning opportunities
- Aug. 19, 2022 — Magicvalley.com, Fencing developed for U of I ranch a win for wildlife and ranchers
- June 24, 2022 — Intermountain Farm & Ranch, U of I research sheds light on attributes of cattle that thrive on range
- March 28, 2022 — Press release by Congressman Mike Simpson's office, Simpson secures funding for rangeland research in Wood River Valley
- Dec. 2, 2020 — Idaho State Journal, Finding Common Ground: Unlikely allies collaborating at UI central Idaho research ranch
- Nov. 10, 2020 — Idaho Press, U of I receives full animal care accreditation
- 2020 — Boise Public Radio, Grouse
- Sept. 10, 2020 — KIVI-TV, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch conducting rangeland research
- June 29, 2020 — Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, Land trust creates "pollinator meadow" at Colorado Gulch
- Feb. 5, 2020 — Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, Hailey plants a flag for gravel travel
- Dec. 19, 2019 — Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, Rinker Rock Creek Ranch gets additional staff
- Oct. 30, 2019 — Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, Silver Creek ranch listed for $19.75M
- May 29, 2019 — Idaho Statesman, Innovative programs enhance University of Idaho’s unique impact on state, region
- April 23, 2019 — Moscow-Pullman Daily News, UI to build meat science and innovation center
- Feb. 15, 2019 — Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Staben may stick around
- 2018 — Idaho Rangeland resources Commission, Collaboration thrives at Rock Creek Ranch
- June 22, 2018 — Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, Valley people
- Feb. 5, 2018 — Twin Falls Times-News, Collaboration thrives at Rock Creek Ranch
- Nature.org, Critical habitat for wildlife and a hub for learning in the heart of southern Idaho
- Feb. 5, 2018 — Magicvallley.com, Collaboration thrives at Rock Creek Ranch
- Spring 2018 — University of Idaho's Here We Have Idaho, Rock Creek Ranch supports Idaho’s rangelands through collaboration
- June 22, 2018 — University of Idaho News, Rock Creek Ranch named in honor of Rinker family following generous gift
- June 8, 2017 — Capital Press, Research ranch seeks balance between conservation grazing
- June 28, 2016 — Capital Press, UI enters agreement to manage 10,400 acre Rock Creek Ranch
- June 23, 2016 — Twin Falls Times-News, Rock Creek Preserve offers pretty hiking, biking
- June 16, 2016 — Idaho Statesman, U of I, nature conservancy, land trust turn central Idaho ranch into learning center
Hosting events
Rinker Rock Creek Ranch will consider hosting events and activities that are sponsored by either a partner organization or other educational institution and align with both the educational and research mission of Rinker Rock Creek Ranch and the University of Idaho.
Interested in conducting research or education at the ranch? Online form. Please review site fees (pdf). Those visiting the ranch should complete a risk waiver (pdf).