Vegetation Maps at the Passage of the Taylor Grazing Act (1934): A Baseline to Evaluate Rangeland Change After a Regime Shift

Bringing History Into Range Management

“…For example, a coalition of BLM employees and faculty at New Mexico State University and the Jornada Experimental Range has recently digitized maps made by a Civilian Conservation Corps range survey crew in southern New Mexico in 1936-1937. 5 The data recorded in these surveys pertained to vegetation composition and palatability for livestock, topography, and the existence of any improvements or infrastructure. Participants in this digitization effort note that the records these surveyors compiled constitute a valuable baseline from which to examine how range resources in the area have changed since its organization into a grazing district in the mid-1930s.…”

“…Indeed, historic maps, range survey data, and photographs all constitute a "legacy resource" that should be preserved and used to determine how range conditions have changed over time. 5 There is no doubt that an understanding of the politicalintellectual foundations of range management and greater appreciation of past range survey data or photographs can make SRM members better land managers. Such knowledge of history can help improve interactions with our constituents, whether they are students, permittees, or the public at large.…”