The demand for recreational opportunities on Western rangelands has skyrocketed over the past two decades. Hikers, birders, and rock hounds share the range with mountain bikers, off-road vehicle (ORV) operators and ranchers' livestock. In recent years advocates have also sought the designation of millions of acres of mostly Bureau of Land Management rangeland as wilderness. The divergent goals of these many rangeland users inevitably results in conflict. Motorized recreation and livestock grazing alter the pristine character and solitude sought by some, while restricting areas to primitive, low-tech use limits access by others. Land management agencies struggle to resolve conflicts among constituents and still protect the natural resource base.

The cumulative impact of so many activities on the land can be significant. Some activities, such as unrestricted ORV use can be more deleterious than poor grazing management. Other pursuits while light on the surface may, in sufficient numbers, disrupt wildlife breeding and feeding. Agencies are faced with the need to increase monitoring, education, and regulation, which also increases costs. Controversially, some have turned to recreational fees to off-set costs. Here we describe the social, ecological, and economic aspects of Western rangeland recreation conflicts and the controversy over rangeland wilderness designation. Areas of conflict resolution and successful cooperation are also highlighted.

Western rangelands are rich in deposits of minerals and fossil fuels. The states of Nevada and Utah house the world's largest mines respectively for gold and copper, while parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana are slated for unprecedented development of coal bed methane (a source of natural gas). As the population of the United States and the world continues to grow and demand a higher standard of living, the demand for mineral and energy resources is increasing. At the same time, the mining and fuel industries are facing increased public scrutiny as citizens question past policies and demand higher environmental standards. Here we present some of the main issues surrounding mineral and fossil fuels extraction including both environmental and industry concerns. While recognizing that not all situations can be win-win, we highlight innovative solutions and successful collaborations.