On the Ground•Rangeland livestock producers were among the first agricultural communities affected by California's multiyear drought.•Rancher surveys and in-person interviews have identified key strategies for coping with and adapting to drought.•Increasing flexibility, resource valuation, and information sharing are important components of building adaptive capacity.•Web-based communication systems have provided new tools for peer-to-peer learning, public education, and extending knowledge to larger audiences.•Insights from managers’ experiences are important for adaptation planning to enhance resilience of rangeland social-ecological systems to climate stresses.