The California Rangeland Decision-Making Survey revealed substantial variation in ranch structure and management goals, underscoring the difficulty of applying uniform practices and policies. To support long-term sustainability, rangeland policy-makers should engage local leaders, social networks, and trusted organizations.

Debate has long persisted on the effectiveness of rotational grazing systems for conservation and agricultural goals. In a survey of California and Wyoming ranchers, we found that while two-thirds use rotational grazing and report benefits, intensive rotational strategies are less widely adopted. The focus of much grazing research on intensive rotational strategies contrasts with the extensive rotational practices commonly used on ranches. This study underscores the need for enhanced communication and participatory research between scientists and ranchers to align research with on-ranch management practices.

Conservation programs are playing increasingly larger roles in helping ranchers adapt to the dynamics of complex rangeland social-ecological systems. Survey data from California ranchers reveal that participation in conservation programs is influenced by ranch characteristics, time horizons, social networks, and values—with those having larger landholdings, a forward-looking perspective, and strong connections to conservation information more likely to participate.

In conjunction with rangeland weed management workshops across California, we surveyed rangeland managers and restoration practitioners about invasive species concerns, management goals, practice effectiveness, and implementation barriers. Most respondents reported increased weed pressure and changes in weed species over the past 5-10 years. Common barriers, such as operational constraints and concerns about effectiveness, underscore the need for management-science partnerships to address these challenges across diverse ecosystems.

This collaborative, multi-partner effort drew input from hundreds of rangeland experts across the western US to create a core set of evidence-based grazing management principles. These principles emphasize planning, goal setting, adaptation, flexibility, and local context, providing a foundation for integrating new information.