The East Kootenay region of southeastern BC contains approximately 46,415 ha of grasslands, stretching from the U.S. border to Radium. These ecosystems, dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs, provide critical habitat for wildlife and grazing for livestock, with 63% on provincial Crown land, nearly 90% of which is under grazing tenure. Grasslands are vital for Indigenous food sovereignty, food security, and carbon sequestration but face significant threats, including climate change and a 50% loss of rangelands since the 1950s.
The purpose of this symposium is to tell stories, share knowledge, and explore ideas and solutions for improving grassland and rangeland health in the East Kootenay. This event will explore the related implications of changing grasslands in the East Kootenay for wildlife and livestock forage, vulnerable grassland-dependent species, Indigenous and regional food security, wildfire risk reduction, and invasive species. To this end, a multidisciplinary group of scientists, First Nations, natural resource professionals, land managers, and ranchers will gather to discuss current land management challenges, initiatives, knowledge gaps, and the cumulative impacts to ecosystem health. The underlying assumption guiding this event is that if you improve grassland health through restoration, protection, and stewardship, then you improve conditions for wildlife, grassland ecosystems, and communities whose cultures and livelihoods are tied to these spaces.
This symposium will include presentations including interview footage from a series of Indigenous Ktunaxa and Secwépemc knowledge keepers, panel discussions, field tours, and posters that share recent science, the current state of rangelands in the East Kootenay region, case studies from other regions to help inform potential restoration and rangeland management practices, and decolinized food systems as they relate to grassland health. A key objective of this event is to produce a proceedings document that includes a summary of recommendations to improve ecosystem health and services.
Preliminary Speaker list & agenda
While we are still waiting on confirmations from some presenters, see here for a list of confirmed speakers thus far.
While it’s difficult to list just a few, here are some highlights:
- Edward Bork, University of Alberta, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Science
- Don Gayton, MSc, PAg, rangeland ecologist and writer (retired)
- Mark Hebblewhite, Ungulate Ecology Laboratory, University of Montana
- Clayton Lamb, Wildlife Science Centre – Biodiversity Pathways
- Darrell Smith, Rangeland Stewardship and Programs Manager, Government of Alberta (former Range manager with Province of British Columbia in the East Kootenay region)
- Jared Cayenne, ʔa·knusti Gaurdian, Ktunaxa Nation Council
- Tiffany Traverse, Secwépemc/séme7 Indigenous Researcher, Land & Seed Steward, Braiding Knowledges Canada
- David Zehnder, Rancher, Farmland Advantage
- See presenter bios for the above listed here
Symposia agenda:
A detailed event agenda will be posted by the end of March, but in the interim participants can plan for the following:
- May 1: Plan for a full day and evening of engaging presentations, including an evening keynote talk. Check-in on this day will commence at 8:30am MT
- May 2: Another full day with a morning of presentations and an afternoon of strategic round table discussions
- May 3: Plan to be in the field with a team of facilitars from about 9am to 1pm MT
Who should attend this symposium?
CMI symposiums attract people from a variety of disciplines and professions. This event will inform and gather Indigenous community members and representatives, scientists and ecologists, agricultural leaders, land and resource managers, government decision-makers, and community members (i.e., hunters and ranchers). Additionally, this symposium will be of use to post-secondary students studying and monitoring grassland ecosystems and rangelands.
Where to stay
Participants of this event are welcomed to make their accommodation bookings at the Trickle Creek Lodge, located beside the Kimberley Conference Centre at the base of the local ski hill. See here for available discounts and booking instructions.
Registration
Non-member rate: $375
*CMI member and presenter rate: $325
*You can renew membership/become a member within the registraion process. See more about CMI membership here