Get reliable rangeland science

Public lands ranchers make essential social and economic contributions throughout many rural communities across the United States. Numerous challenges face ranchers utilizing public lands potentially causing associated challenges in community settings. Ranching operations are very diverse and may not react similarly to changes. Reliable information documenting characteristics of public lands ranchers is needed to help land managers and policy makers understand ranchers� economic and social diversity, the diversity of operations, and the contributions to local communities. A survey offers the best method to gather nationwide data on public lands ranchers. This study used a mail survey to obtain social and economic data needed to determine the diversity among ranchers. Three thousand thirty surveys were mailed to public land permittees nationwide, with a thirty-seven percent response rate. Cluster analysis was used to determine different rancher groups in both studies and the groups were then compared to one another on social and economics as well as reactions to hypothetical public land policy changes. It was found that rancher groups are diverse and can be classified into different groups based on the social and economic data collected. Also discovered was that the various rancher groups respond differently to public lands grazing policies. The results of this study are currently in the process of being published in peer-reviewed literature that will be accessible to federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the United States Forest Service along with other public lands managers. All who value public lands are affected by decisions regarding management. Therefore, it is essential that reliable information is gathered on all public land resource aspects- social, economic, and ecological- if we are to make well-informed decisions on public land use. This survey is a start toward having statistically valid data to aid in the public lands management decision-making process.