Does Domestic Grazing Belong on Public Land?

There are over 650 million acres of federal public lands in the United States. Public lands are used for a variety of different activities, ranging from preservation to recreation, to resource extraction. They provide millions... [ view full abstract ]

There are over 650 million acres of federal public lands in the United States. Public lands are used for a variety of different activities, ranging from preservation to recreation, to resource extraction. They provide millions of acres of wildlife habitat and are the public’s resource for accessing nature. Regardless of proximity, public lands belong to everyone in the United States. From January to August 2016, open-ended interviews were conducted on attitudes toward and knowledge of public lands. Interviews were conducted in two contrasting states: 16 interviews in Arizona, a state with 38.5% federal public lands; and 16 in Texas, with only 1.5% federal public lands. Following in the tradition of Stephen Kellert, documenting human dimensions of public lands can influence management, policy, lands designation and regulation, and habitat on which wildlife depends.  Results showed that all interviewees appreciated access to nature through public lands, regardless of their experience with or knowledge about these lands. Most of the interviewees were familiar with national parks, but not other designations that make up the majority of public lands, and which are typically the most impacted by humans. Several themes emerged, including issues of access, discussions of federal versus state management, and extractive industries such as mining and grazing. Domestic grazing occurs on over one third of the nation’s public lands and entails significant social and ecological effects. Cattle and sheep grazing have altered the way many people view and interact with nature and the wild animals that dwell on public lands.  There is an opportunity cost when grazing of domestic animals is permitted on public lands, to the detriment of wildlife and those that enjoy public lands.  Not only are native predators killed due to domestic livestock, native grazers have been displaced from habitat as well.  How public lands are treated and managed not only directly affects the wild animals dependent on them for habitat, but also their human counterparts. Will public lands remain in public hands?  The future will show whether U.S. public lands continue to be a source of pride that are valued, protected, enjoyed, and studied for years to come.