Countless acres of grassland stretch across the American West. Centuries
ago, bison roamed the range freely and lived off the grass. By the
nineteenth century, herds of cattle grazed the same land. And over time,
much of he original grassland was either plowed and planted or trampled
to dust, causing the topsoil to dry up and blow away. Today many
ranchers have learned to manage their herds of beef cattle so that the
damaged range has been transformed into productive grasslands with
sparkling clear streams running through them. Montana Ranchers Bob Lee,
Ray Marxer, and Tom Milesnick have won numerous awards for their
innovative approaches to raising beef cattle and managing the western
range. While creating a healthy environment and abundant grasslands for
their cattle, they and other ranchers and farmers across the United
States have provided quality habitat for wildlife. Author Cris Peterson
has visited each ranch to learn firsthand about the philosophies of
their owners as well as how the ranches are run. Photographer Alvis
Upitis has captured the sheer beauty and magnificence of the open
rangelands, the crystal clear streams, and the mountains that tower over
them. Together, this award-winning author-photographer team presents an
exciting portrait of a new approach to ranching and environmental
conservation in the American West.
