Range Science has long been a program at North Dakota State University beginning with Herbert C. Hanson in the 1920’s. It was allied with Botany/Biology until 1985 and with Animal Science since 1985. Range Science has retained a distinctive undergraduate and graduate option within Botany/Biology and Animal Science for decades. The program is now offered as an independent major in the School of Natural Resource Sciences. Range Science is a discipline that focuses on the scientific study of rangelands, arid regions, grasslands, prairies, and grazed forests in order to manage the natural renewable resources for optimum benefit and environmental balance.