F—501117 
BEAUTY ON THE RANGE 
Rangelands with their herds of cattle and sheep, cowboys and 
sheepherders, and wildlife such as deer, antelope, and coyotes are 
an exciting part of our American heritage. Almost every schoolboy 
is familiar with the role of ranching in the development of our 
country and has been thrilled by the stories and legendary characters 
associated with the open range and the livestock industry of the West. 
Ranges can be better appreciated if we know more about their 
values and management. The vast public and private rangelands of 
our country not only provide seasonal forage for more than 50 million 
cattle and sheep, but also provide habitat for some 10 million big- 
game animals as well as countless numbers of small mammals, birds, 
and other species of wildlife. Rangelands are important watersheds 
from which come a substantial portion of the Nation’s water supply. 
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They also provide a wide variety of recreation opportunities. 
Well-managed ranges with vigorous stands of vegetation present to 
the traveling viewer a constantly changing panorama. They may be 
a patchwork of contrasting plant communities, often with well- 
defined borders that indicate abrupt changes in one or many factors 
of the site—soil, slope, exposure, moisture, or temperature. Or they 
may be single communities which change in appearance from season 
to season or even from day to night. 
Domestic animals are an essential part of the range community. 
A rangeland view is improved when it includes livestock in good 
condition, vigorous vegetation, and stable soils. Enjoyment of the 
beauty of such a pastoral scene is increased by the satisfaction of 
recognizing a good job of land and livestock husbandry. 
