In honour of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP2026), members of the North America IYRP Support Group and the Rangelands Partnership initiated an effort to produce a feature-length documentary film about North American rangelands. This documentary, to be premiered in 2026, focuses on their importance for meeting 21st Century environmental, cultural, and economic challenges; and specifically, reducing the effects of cli mate change (https://www.iyrp.info/north-america/film-projects/documentary-film). Storytelling is the vehicle used for highlighting the historic and intrinsic values of these lands within the context of indigenous knowledge and current science. The long-term goal is to change public perceptions, notably held by urban populations, policymakers, and youth, regarding the value of these lands and the need to conserve them. By presenting real-life stories about the people whose livelihoods depend on these lands, viewers will learn about new technologies for land management, collaborative conservation efforts, and the many ecosystem services provided by rangelands. These include food and fibre production, clean water, wildlife habitat, wildfire control, carbon storage, renewable energy, and recreation. With input from the film's Advisory Board, overall themes were identified: 1. Rangelands and pastoralists defined. 2. History of rangelands and their management including Native American perspectives. 3. Climate solutions: a) Soils/carbon sequestration, extensive vs. intensive agriculture, land fragmentation issues. b) New technologies & strategies, i.e. virtual fencing, drones/remote sensing, regenerative grazing. c) Ecosystem services: food and fibre production, clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, wildfire control, and renewable energy. 4. Connecting people to rangelands; keeping working lands "working"; how we can help protect our rangelands.
Get reliable rangeland science
Toggle Search