Navajo Nation Range Management . Handbook .~/ ·- .!-.:., ~~,-;--... ·-... r#~/ Frank Parrill Range Conservationist Navajo Tribe Window Rock, Arizona Allan H Blacksheep, Jr. Agricultural Extension Agent The University of Arizona Ft. Defiance, Arizona Cooperative Extension Service The University of Arizona T81104 Needle-and-threadgrass Stipa comata Atsábik’a’ítł’oh This handbook is dedicated to the memory of Alex Tsosie, Soil Conservationist with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Window Rock. Alex had a deep love for his Navajo land and its livestock. He had the desire to both improve the future of his land and to stay close to the culture of his ancestors. His dedication to the care of the lands will always be an inspiration to those of us who knew and worked with him. Alex, we are glad that you passed among us. May your moccasins always walk in the soft green grass and may you never thirst for cool, clear water. Amen. The Navajo Nation Range Management Handbook has been developed through the efforts of many individuals. The original manuscript was drafted by Frank Parrill, range conservationist for the Navajo tribe, Window Rock, Arizona. Special acknowledgment is due to Joanne Manygoats, range technician for the tribe, who provided valuable assistance in supplying Navajo names for the plants listed in the publication and proofreading the type. Leo Beno, also a range conservationist for the tribe, served as technical consultant. At The University of Arizona, Dr. David Bryant, Extension range management specialist and professor in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, critically reviewed the preliminary manuscript and provided valuable experience and practical insights that are incorporated in the publication. Dr. Floyd G. McCormick, head of the department of Agricultural Education, also contributed to the project. Final editing was completed by Barbara Sears, publications editor in the Department of Agricultural Communications, where type was set by Edwin Tout. Allan Blacksheep August, 1981 Range—To Have and picking up the animals left behind The U.S. Government, in an at- as the Spaniards were driven south tempt to prevent complete destruc- To Use into Mexico. Many Navajo legends tion of the rangelands, tried to get include livestock along with all of the people to reduce their number What is Range? the other “Gifts from God.” What- of animals voluntarily. This was Range is any large area of level, ever the origin, livestock have been ineffective, and it was then decided rolling, broken, or steep mountain- a part of the Navajos’ life for 400 that the needed reduction would be ous land, usually not adapted to years. made by force. This brought about farming. Because it is land covered the infamous “livestock reduction” with native grasses, forbs, shrubs, By the 19th century, livestock were of the 1930s. This, too, is a bitter and sometimes trees this land is a vital part of the Navajo life and point in the memory of many older best suited for grazing by livestock economy. Large bands of sheep Navajo People. They, along with and wild animals. and many horses roamed the grass- many other people today, look back lands of the reservation. Wealth on this event as a tragic mistake. Does the Range Concern You? and importance were measured by the number of animals a family Today, only about one-third of the Yes, each one of us has a real had. This lifestyle, however, was Navajo People are actively engaged interest in our rangeland. It is the not to last long. Battles with and in a livestock business. Many oth- main source of our meat supply. It ultimate surrender to U.S. troops ers, however, maintain small num- is important in the production of brought an end to the Navajos’ way bers of sheep and horses or a few wool and leather products. It is a of living and to their livestock. The cows. These provide food, wool, valuable source of water, clean air “Long Walk” to Fort Sumner and additional income, and—most im- and wildlife. It offers many types the following period of “captivity” portant—help the Navajos to stay of recreation. It is just as important are still in the memories of the in touch with their old traditions for the non-user of rangeland to Navajo People. and culture. promote its conversation and pro- tection for the future as it is for the Then, after four years, they were The Navajo People today are still person raising livestock and living allowed to return to their homeland criticized for their overgrazing and on the range. with a small number of sheep and the loss of lands through erosion. goats and a few horses. By 1900, It is now being recognized, though, Way Back When... the Navajo People were back in that the problems do not stem so Rangeland—the v egetation, soil, the livestock business. Many fam- much from overgrazing as from and water—is the Navajo’s greatest ilies had bands of 3,000 or more the lack of any form of grazing and most valuable natural resource. sheep. The people were content, management. Changes in attitudes Rangeland has played an import- moving their families from place to of the people, revised tribal regu- ant part in the history, the culture place—following areas of grass as it lations, and new federal programs and the life of Navajo People. would green up in the spring. Soon, are making things look brighter however, it became obvious that the for Navajo livestock and range- According to history, the first number of animals and the system land resources. It is hoped that this Navajo People were not stockmen. of yearlong grazing was taking its generation will adopt new ideas, Before the 16th century, the Nava- toll on the plant cover. The grazing, use the programs and resources jos were a nomadic tribe concerned plus periods of prolonged drouth, available to them, and care for their with hunting and tending small was destroying the cover of their “Mother Earth” so that the future patches of dry farmland. The first “Mother Earth.” generations may also live and enjoy Navajo livestock came through the life of the Navajo. trading with the Spaniards and 3 What is Range Management? about the rangelands and how to soils (gravels and sands) are more Range management is the care and manage and care for them, you drouthy because they do not have use of rangeland to get the highest must have some knowledge of soils, the ability to hold water. Fine continual yield of animal products water, climate and plants. textured soils (silts and clays) are without damaging the soil and generally more productive soils water resources or other uses of the Soils because they can take in and store more moisture. They are also land. Animal products of the range There are many different kinds of generally more fertile. are meat, wool, mohair and hides. soils. They differ from each other in Other very important products are depth, texture, structure and slope. relates to the way water, clean air, wildlife and These are called physical features. Soil structure in which the soil particles are held recreation. We can see and feel them. together. In most soils, we find The goals of management are: Soil depth is the thickness of groups of soil particles “glued” 1. To keep the range covered with together like the grains of a pop- good forage plants. the soil above the parent material (material from which the soil is corn ball. These “popcorn balls” or 2. To maintain a reserve of range chunks of soil are called soil aggre- forage. made). It takes millions of years for bare rock to be turned into rich gates. These aggregates may be in 3. To increase livestock and wild- the shape of blocks, or long tubes, life products. fertile soil that will support plants and animals. As the soil is formed, or flat plates or appear as mix- 4. To reduce and control the flow tures of these. When soils are well of water from rangelands. it is deposited in layers. The upper layer is called topsoil; and the aggregated, air, water and plant 5. To control soil erosion on roots can move through the soil rangelands and watersheds. second layer is called the subsoil. Below the subsoil is the parent easily. These soils can take in and Have you ever noticed when a material. store moisture, and they are not as rancher sells his product, he is paid easily damaged by water and wind for the pounds and not for the erosion. number sold? Pounds of products In most areas, it takes 500 years to sold (meat, wool, mohair) are the change bedrock into one inch of Slope refers to steepness. Slopes best measure of a good range man- topsoil. Under the dry, desert-like may vary from level and gently agement plan. conditions on the Navajo Nation, rolling to steep and broken hills and it would take even longer. When mountains. The steeper the slope, Know Your Range! the plant cover is removed or the more easily it erodes. Slope destroyed, this valuable topsoil is You can keep the range healthy also makes a difference in the kinds carried away by erosion from water and productive by knowing the and amounts of plants that grow and wind. One storm can carry plants and animals that live there in the soil. Soils on south-facing away more topsoil than it took 500 and how to manage them properly. slopes produce different kinds and years to form. This loss is the result Plants and animals live together amounts of forage plants than will of poor management.