The effects of climate change have a dramatic impact on vulnerable ecosystems and vulnerable populations, specifically the effects of desertification on arid landscapes. In the United States, the majority of ranchlands are dependent on arid ecosystems and the ecological interactions between vegetation, precipitation, and soil. Cattle ranchlands in particular, face higher risk of desertification due to the combined impacts of climate change and cattle pressure. This manuscript explores the intersections between climate change, desertification, and cattle grazing in two sections: 1) The Scientist and 2) The Rancher. By emphasizing the collaboration between scientific knowledge and traditional rancher knowledge I suggest that cattle ranching, and climate scientists should invest in a collaborative, local, and holistic cattle management practice in order to build resilience for both the landscape and its people. The Scientist section explains and applies the theories of ecological dynamics between consumers and resources to the context of vegetated spatial patterns at Chico Basin Ranch, Colorado. First, we explored the regional temporal changes of temperature and precipitation and how they impact the spatial patterns of grassy and bare soil patches, concluding that clear spatial patterns have developed in these grasslands. This may be a result of a climate regime shift in the late 1990s-early 2000s. Second, we additionally explored whether cattle grazing pressure impacts grassland spatial patterns. We hypothesized that if cattle grazing is driving desertification at Chico Basin, then Zones with higher cattle grazing will contain more desertification defined spatial patterns, such as greater distance between grassy and bare soil patches and lower vegetation presence (NDVI). However, our results conclude that cattle movement and hoof disruption of soil crust is more impactful on vegetation than cattle grazing due to the effects of soil crust inhibiting annual vegetation. The scientific knowledge then transitions to rancher knowledge. The Rancher section incorporates the role of ranch management and the rancher perspective into the conversation of desertification. We explore three forms of management, holistic ranch management, community conservation, and regenerative ranching. By honing in on the similarities and differences of each management style, we are able to validate traditional rancher knowledge, advocate for the collaboration between scientists and ranchers, and look forward to how management tools can be adapted to the scientific understanding of ecological processes, while emphasizing the livelihoods and involvement of ranchers.