Rangeland Resources

70% of Montana is rangeland (68,000,000 acres) which provides habitat for wildlife, forage for livestock, and a host of ecosystem goods and services for the state. In Montana, rangelands provide watershed services worth $14/acre including water collection, groundwater filtration, and aquifer recharge. 

Rangelands and grasslands reflect a growing interest for the ecosystem goods and services that these lands provide, the relationship of humans to these landscapes, and the efforts required to keep these lands sustainable. Interest exists to maintain a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem that provides water availability, clean air, and wildlife populations while supporting agriculture, energy and minerals production. The RRP focuses on building relationships among diverse groups to share perspectives and ideas that foster healthy, sustainable rangelands. 

The Rangeland Resources Program receives guidance from the RRC, which is composed of 6 Governor appointed ranchers from select geographic areas in Montana. The RRC is statutorily mandated to make recommendations to and provide guidance for the Rangeland Resources Program to DNRC. The RRC also has the responsibility of providing support and guidance to the State Coordinator for Rangeland Resources.