森林和牧场总是在变化，由于长期的发展，有时变化非常缓慢，而由于火灾，伐木或放牧，变化很快。牧场占地球近50％的陆地表面，由天然草原，稀树草原，灌木丛，河岸地区，沙漠，冻原和沿海沼泽组成。在现代世界中维持森林和牧场需要管理者了解生态系统的变化，以及森林和牧场如何与全球，生态和社会系统联系起来。州和联邦土地管理机构，私人土地所有者，顾问和保护组织雇用森林和牧场管理权（FRS）专业的毕业生。该课程包括动植物生物学，综合资源管理和物理科学等课程的平衡组合。科罗拉多州是林业和牧场生态与管理研究的理想场所，东部是短草
Forests and rangelands are always changing, sometimes very slowly as a result of long-term processes, followed by rapid changes as a result of fires, timber harvesting, or grazing. Rangelands occupy nearly fifty percent of the earth's land surface and consist of natural grasslands, savannas, shrublands, riparian areas, deserts, tundra, and coastal marshes. Sustaining forests and rangelands in the modern world requires managers who understand ecosystem changes, and how forests and rangelands connect to global, ecological, and social systems. State and federal land management agencies, private landowners, consultants, and conservation organizations employ graduates of the Forest and Rangeland Stewardship (FRS) major. The curriculum includes a balanced mix of courses in plant and animal biology, integrated resource management, and the physical sciences. Colorado is an ideal setting for the study of forestry and rangeland ecology and management with shortgrass steppe to the east and high elevation grasslands, forests, woodlands, and riparian areas to the west. Students learn about ecosystem productivity, policy, conservation, and the latest in computer-based management tools. Students also gain an understanding of economics related to recognizing alternatives and analytical and decision-making skills, as well as developing communication, political and interpersonal skills to make their education effective, and contribute to their respective fields fully upon graduation.