Councilman Terence O. Wheeler- District 1
Councilman Terence O. Wheeler
Summary of Experience
Mr. Wheeler is a highly skilled, accredited professional ecologist and entrepreneur best known for his innovative, proven and sustainable results in areas of holistic, watershed/range & livestock management, as well as land reclamation. Spanning more than five decades, his domestic and international work has included work with leading universities, energy and mining corporations, industry associations, the United States’ federal, state and local governments, the governments of several other nations, and numerous village and tribal authorities. A diverse career in the public and private sector – combined with personal experience as an elected City Councilman and Vice-Mayor in Globe, Arizona; President – Gila County Cattle Growers Assn.; Supervisor – Tonto NRCD and a background in education and training enables Wheeler to work successfully with varied constituent groups and cultures on what are often emotionally-charged and sensitive resource issues.
Holistic and Sustainable Approach
Mr. Wheeler is best known for originating Holistic Stabilization and Remediation, a concept that involves using ruminant animals (hooved animals) as part of a natural process to build soil on sites in low stages of ecological development. Initially developed and tested in the reclamation of mine tailings, it is now used at varied industrial sites in several southwestern states. It is indicative of Wheeler’s work approach, which involves viewing projects from three perspectives: (1) quality of life impact; (2) production/economic impact; (3) biodiversity/landscape impact.
Education and Professional / Community Work
A graduate of the University of Arizona, Mr. Wheeler holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in Animal Science and Range/Watershed Management, plus completed graduate work in those areas as well as Agricultural Economics, Horticulture and Administration. He served several years as an accredited consultant with the Center for Holistic Resource Management in Albuquerque, holds an Arizona real estate license, is active with cattle and range management associations, and is on the board of several civic/charitable organizations. During his academic years and early work in construction, as a cowboy, range conservationist, ecologist, rancher, resource manager and consult, Wheeler completed his military obligation with the U. S. Naval Reserve. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1961 after eight years of service.
International and Domestic Projects
Mr. Wheeler is Owner/President of Wheeler & Associates, a firm that provides Agricultural and Natural Resource management and consulting to a variety of clients in the U. S. and abroad. Prior to creating his firm in 1979, Wheeler spent 12 years as an Agricultural Agent for the University of Arizona, NM, North and South Dakota. Besides working with the U. S. Federal Government, numerous state and local governments in the west and southwest, and several Indian nations or tribes, Wheeler has been involved in international projects with the Kingdom of Jordan, and in Mexico, Italy, West Africa and Lesotho, Southern Africa. Wheeler has managed several ranches including the 165,000 acre Mt. Island Ranch, Grade Park, CO, running 1000 cow/calf pairs, 2400 sheep, farming 1000 acres irrigated farmland and managing a hunting enterprise. He also owned and managed the Wheeler Cattle Ranch on the Tonto Forest near Globe, Arizona from 1992 to 2007. Besides being a successful cow/calf and yearling operation, the ranch was used to educate the public on the proper use of cattle for maximum production and a healthy environment. Mr. Wheeler now uses his ranching background, combined with his previous range experience to continue his dedication to promoting sound land management through ecological training, education and consulting.
Councilman - District 1
Name: Terence O. Wheeler
Phone: (928) 425-7146 Ext. 31
E-mail: wheelerassoc@theriver.com