Future of rangelands in Saskatchewan

March 08, 2026

key points from this story:

• Saskatchewan joins effort to mark IYRP 2026
• Government partners with SSGA and SK PCAP
• Ministers praise ranchers as land stewards
• Rangelands key for biodiversity and climate
• Producers balance livestock and wildlife needs
• Public awareness events planned this year

It’s always good to pause to think about the future of farming. In the face of American tariffs, increasing US president Donald Trump-led tensions in terms of peace, and the changes science shows are occurring in terms of climate change, seeing a future at all can be something that seems too less than ensured like it should be at this point in human history. But we have to hope cooler heads will prevail in spite of the likes of Trump, and we need to make sure agriculture continues to utilize best practices. That is particularly important when considering rangelands which can be easily damaged by mismanagement.

So it’s good to see the Government of Saskatchewan joining the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA) and the Saskatchewan Prairie Conservation Action Plan (SK PCAP) in recognizing 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) in the province. "Saskatchewan's rangelands support a sector that helps drive our economy," Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a release. "This is our opportunity to recognize the hard work and stewardship of Saskatchewan's ranchers."

Of course the key word there is stewardship, because rangelands provide more than just grazing for the livestock industry. While livestock feed is paramount for producers to manage rangelands well, in doing that those lands also provide habitat for wildlife. As the release notes these working landscapes stay productive thanks to the ranchers and land managers, also known as pastoralists, who care for them – a term I admit was new to me.

"Saskatchewan's rangelands are more than wide-open spaces - they support biodiversity, store large amounts of carbon, increase climate resilience and sustain rural livelihoods," Environment Minister Darlene Rowden said in the release. "Ranchers and land managers play a key role as stewards of the land, and their work helps to preserve native prairie, as well as the many species that rely on these important habitats."

"Since our founding, SSGA has stood for conserving grasslands and protecting the pastoralist way of life through strong, united advocacy," SSGA General Manager Chad MacPherson said. "The IYRP recognizes the same principles by which Canadian Prairie ranchers live: stewardship of the land, economic sustainability and the freedom to produce food responsibly. SSGA is proud to advocate for ranchers as global attention turns to the value of healthy rangelands and the people who manage them."

Therein lies an important lesson moving forward, livestock producers can be the friends of wildlife too, even while it might be thought that is not the case – it usually is. That is why the rangelands are so important and we need to assure the public appreciates the importance. "We are excited about the IYRP and raising public awareness of the vital role rangelands and pastoralists play," SK PCAP Manager Carolyn Gaudet said in the release. "Rangelands are ecosystems that support cultures and livelihoods, and ranchers are essential environmental stewards in maintaining healthy rangelands. Through collaboration with our partners, we are celebrating by hosting events and using the international spotlight to bring attention to Saskatchewan's native prairie and rangeland ecosystems."