Technical Abstract: The application of natural resource science to both management needs and policy formation has been spotty, at best. Interestingly, rangeland science had an early history of closely supporting management needs and USA rangeland policies during the early 20th century. This history of support unraveled during the mid part of the 20th century as the science failed to address increasingly relevant socioeconomic factors, and rangelands were sought to provide other services beyond food and fiber. Recently, rangeland science has again been coupled to management and policy. Sustaining any combination of goods and services from rangelands requires that linkages among science, management and policy be well established and functional. An analysis of this history of the coupling, uncoupling and then recoupling of rangeland science with both management and USA rangeland policies may provide useful insights for sustained use of these resources.