Dr John Church has been appointed the inaugural chairholder of the BC Regional Innovation Chair in Cattle Industry Sustainability. Church, who has a PhD in rangeland and wildlife resources will conduct research into improving profitability of cattle raising, protecting wetlands and endangered species and reducing greenhouse gases. The $2.1-million chair will be situated at Thompson Rivers Univ and is being funded by the Leading Edge Endowment Fund ($1.25 million), the Cattle Industry Development Council ($625,000) and the Real Estate Foundation of BC ($250,000).