Grazing and range management

Alberta’s rangeland ecosystems have evolved over thousands of years, adapting to:

• soils
• climate
• natural disturbances such as wild grazers (example: bison) and browsers, and periodic fires

Rangelands support native or introduced vegetation that have the potential to be grazed and are managed as a natural ecosystem for multiple uses and values. Grazing is a natural process that supports ecosystem health and function.

Domestic livestock arrived in Alberta with the fur trade. As ranching was established in the province, early settlers were focused on animal production. Large herds lead to overgrazing and eventually degraded rangeland ecosystems.

Healthy rangelands are necessary for healthy livestock and productive ranches. Range management science and sustainable livestock grazing principles were developed to maintain and enhance rangelands.

Rangelands provide important environmental, economical and social benefits when they are managed properly. Ranching and range science have protected much of Alberta’s remaining native rangelands. This is important because healthy rangelands provide important ecological goods and services to our economy:

• biodiversity conservation
• carbon cycling
• forage for grazing and browsing animals
• habitat for a vast array of fish and wildlife, including species at risk
• natural beauty and wilderness
• water quality and quantity

Rangeland management impacts the health and productivity of native grasslands and shrublands, forests and tame pastures. When rangelands are healthy, present and future generations benefit from clean water, available forage, and fish and wildlife habitat values.

Successful rangeland stewardship is achieved through the application of the principles of range management to maintain range and riparian health and ensure successful resource integration on the land.

Crown rangelands are managed for sustainable grazing and long-term health to foster:

• livestock grazing
• resource integration
• ecological health
• biodiversity

Sustainable range management is a shared responsibility between the province and Alberta’s farmers and ranchers who hold dispositions on Crown land. Disposition holders are stewards of the land and have a legal responsibility to maintain healthy and productive rangeland ecosystems by applying four principles of range management to Crown rangelands:

1. Balance livestock demands with the available forage supply, where forage is harvested to sustain livestock but adequate ungrazed residue is left to sustain rangeland ecosystem function.
2. Promote even livestock distribution with fencing, salt placement, water development and other livestock distribution tools.
3. Avoid grazing during vulnerable periods.
4. Provide effective rest periods after grazing to allow range plants to recover.

Provincial and federal statutes and regulations are used in Alberta’s rangeland management.

The following legislation outlines regulatory requirements and guides the management of Crown rangelands:

• Forest Reserves Act
• Forest Reserves Regulation
• Public Lands Act
• Public Lands Administration Regulation
• Recreational Access Regulation
• Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act

Rangeland Health Assessment Protocol

• Measuring Rangeland Health – The Rangeland Health Assessment Protocol: An Ecological Tool for Land Stewards
  Range health is a measure of range stewardship. This protocol measures the ecosystem functions of Alberta’s rangeland. An introductory brochure and field workbooks are available to help you understand how range health is measured.

Extension Resources Supporting Range Stewardship

• Assessing Factors Affecting Cattle Use of Montane Rangelands – Bob Creek Project
• Beneficial Grazing Management Practices for Sage Grouse and Ecology of Silver Sagebrush in Southeastern Alberta
• Evaluating Livestock Use of Boreal Grazing Lands Little Smoky River Project
• Evaluating Livestock Use of Boreal Grazing Lands Little Smoky River Project – Summary Report
• Grazing Management Adjustments for Healthy Rangelands
• Impact of grazing on soil mesofauna diversity and community composition in deciduous rangelands of northwest Alberta
• Range Management During a Drought
• Range management factsheet for northern Alberta's boreal region: forest grazing
• Range management factsheet for northern Alberta's boreal region: grazing management for Boreal riparian areas
• Range management factsheet for northern Alberta's boreal region: Indicators of forest rangeland health
• Stewardship Assessment: Rangeland Audit Process
• Support in drought conditions in Alberta
• Tenure for Stewardship Determination Criteria
• Native grassland

Carbon storge resources

Alberta’s rangelands have a role to play in carbon storage, an important issue related to climate change. Soil scientist Eric Bremmer has written a scientific paper on the issue.

Access the paper and a summary brochure at:

• Potential of Rangelands to Sequester Carbon in Alberta
• Potential of Rangelands to Sequester Carbon in Alberta: Report summary

Canada Free Trade Agreement: Alberta Exemptions – proposed changes for agricultural public land

The Government of Alberta recently introduced Bill 22: Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020 that, if passed, would allow Canadian residents, not just Albertans, to obtain grazing leases in provincial parks and grazing permits in forest reserves. This change would bring Alberta in line with British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The bill would also expand the opportunity to purchase public land to all Canadians.

This amendment aligns with the elimination of 8 of Alberta’s existing exceptions related to Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) announced on September 21, 2019.