USDA is vitally interested in the maintenance, enhancement and wise use of the Nations's range resources. The Department has played and will continue to play an active role in developing, demonstrating and applying the essential science, technology and stewardship necessary to effectively manage range resources in this nation and throughout the world. The Nation's range resource include nearly 800 million acres of range in the 50 States. The USDA managers more than 100 million acres of publicly-owned range and USDA programs influence the use and management of over 400 million acres of nonfederal range. The remaining public range which is primarily managed by USDI and DOD is also influenced by USDA programs.
Range provides a major source of forage for livestock on thousands of American farms and ranches.
As human populations increase and demand for food and energy expands, the need for forage and other range resources will grow. Range provides forage, water, recreation, wildlife and fish habitat and cover, as well as minerals and archaeological, historical, cultural, and visual amenities. Provide periodic range resource inventories compatible among agencies, and based upon sound ecological principles, containing data identifying multiple-use opportunities, and useful for protecting, enhancing, and wisely using range resources at the local, regional, and national levels. Manage the range resources of the National Forest System in an economically and ecologically sound manner, for multiple use, and for development and demonstration of effective range management. Rangelands include natural grassland, savannas, most deserts, tundra, alpine plant communities, coastal marshes, wet meadows and introduced plan communities managed like rangeland.