James K. (Tex) Lewis Papers

30.63 linear feet (22 record boxes, 8 oversize boxes, 1 document case, 1 half-document case)

The James K. “Tex” Lewis Papers comprise research data, field notes, correspondence, publications, photographs, and teaching materials that document Lewis’s extensive range management research and instructional activities. The bulk of the materials pertain to Projects 216, 217, 239, and 421, long-running studies on forage production, grazing systems, livestock weight monitoring, and soil moisture dynamics conducted primarily at the Cottonwood Range Field Station, but also at Antelope Range Field Station, the Badlands, and other locations. The collection includes detailed observational and statistical data (e.g., point frame data, clip plot studies, Vegometer readings, and remote sensing imagery), climatological records, experimental livestock weights, soil analyses, and related environmental assessments. Boxes also include datasets used in simulation modeling (e.g., SPUR) and course materials for RANG, AS, and WL courses taught by Lewis.

Additional documentation reflects collaboration with national and regional entities such as the American Grassland Council, Society for Range Management, Great Plains Agricultural Council, and Bureau of Land Management. Also included are aerial photographs, GIS data, proposals, and internal reports, showcasing the depth and scientific rigor of Lewis’s methodology. Later series feature writings, technical guides, and training materials used in both academic and governmental range science settings.

This collection is a resource for understanding mid- to late-20th-century range science and ecosystem monitoring in the Great Plains. James K. Lewis’s work contributed significantly to innovations in grazing system design, range condition monitoring, and statistical modeling of range-livestock interactions. His leadership in integrating remote sensing, climatological data, and ecological classification methods helped shape contemporary range management practices. The materials are particularly valuable for researchers interested in the evolution of land use planning, sustainable grazing systems, and interdisciplinary range-livestock ecology. The inclusion of raw data and simulation outputs enhances the collection’s potential for longitudinal environmental and climatic studies.

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Copyright and Use Statement

In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.