Ecosystem Science and Management

College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources

Rangeland Ecology & Watershed Management (REWM)

“Rangelands” encompass a broad category of land comprising more than 40% of the earth’s land area. They are characterized by native plant communities and are managed by ecological, rather than agronomic methods. They may be referred to as grasslands, shrublands, deserts, or tundra.

In Wyoming, rangelands occupy over 50 million acres (about 70% of the state), offering wide opportunities for the multiple uses of livestock and wildlife grazing, recreation, water production, open space, and natural beauty. Students are taught to understand and manage complex rangeland ecosystems.

Students can design a curriculum that will allow them to focus on areas such as:

• Livestock management

• Wildlife habitat management

• Ecology

• Reclamation and restoration ecology

• Watershed management

• Hydrology

• Business management

The rangeland ecology and watershed management curriculum is designed for students wishing to study ecology, utilization, and management of rangelands and wildland watersheds and related resources of forestry, recreation, wildlife management, soil science, botany, and zoology. Degrees include Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy. REWM is accredited by the Society for Range Management (SRM).