Presentation Summary: Understanding the human landscape of the Canadian prairies is integral to the success of conservation initiatives. Although many organizations are working to conserve this ecosystem, in 2025 Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) funded the Grassland Learning and Knowledge Hub (GLKH) to enhance collaboration on the social science and policy aspects of grassland conservation. The GLKH is a partnership between the University of Alberta, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Restore Assert Defend (RAD) Network. To enable grassland conservation, this presentation will explore how the GLKH seeks to address natural climate solutions implementation and research gaps by analyzing barriers to reducing grasslands conversion and increasing restoration, with an emphasis on policy and the social sciences.

About the Presenter: Dr. John K. Pattison-Williams is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta and president of Pattison Resource Consulting Ltd., a company specializing in the interaction between environmental conservation and economic development. John is a Professional Agrologist and Fellow of the Royal Geographic Society. He farms and lives in the Miquelon Lake area of Alberta, raising grass and blue roan quarter horses with his spouse and two boys.  

Hosted by: Caitlin Mroz-Sailer, Stewardship Coordinator, Prairie Conservation Action Plan

Presenting Sponsors: Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association, North American Helium, Nutrien, Pembina and SaskTel.