Check out CFGA podcast: Forage and Grasslands Unpacked

Grasslands stretch across Canada as one of the most ecologically rich yet often overlooked landscapes. They support biodiversity, store carbon, feed livestock and anchor rural communities. But they are also under pressure from development, shifting demographics, climate change and policy decisions that don’t always reflect their value.

Forage and Grasslands Unpacked, a new podcast produced by the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA), dives straight into these complexities with a season of 10 thoughtful, grounded conversations.

Each episode brings together a host and a panel of guests to explore a single topic from multiple perspectives. As the series introduction puts it, the goal is to “deliver in‑depth conversations that explore forage, grasslands and grazing from multiple perspectives.” The result is a rich tapestry of voices, including producers, scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, policy leaders, youth and extension partners, who collectively illuminate the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s forage and grassland sector.

Starting with the basics: What Is a Grassland?

The season opened with a foundational question: What is a grassland? Host Cedric MacLeod spoke with Dr. John Pattison‑Williams and botanist Heather Peat Hamm, whose conversation traveled “to Mongolia and back” as they unpacked ecological and cultural definitions of grasslands. They explored why these ecosystems matter for biodiversity, climate solutions, agricultural livelihoods and the communities who steward them. The grounding episode set the tone for the season: curious, expansive and rooted in lived experience.

Understanding the state of grasslands today

Episode 2 shifted to the current condition of grasslands. Host Kaylee Healy, herself a multi‑generational farmer, spoke with Renny Grilz and Sam Robinson about how grasslands have changed over the past five decades. They discussed rural depopulation, shifting land use and the growing disconnect between people and the landscapes around them. Their insights highlighted both the fragility and resilience of prairie ecosystems and the importance of reconnecting Canadians to these spaces.

Biodiversity, species at risk and the web of life

Grasslands are biodiversity hotspots, home to plants, animals, insects and microbes that depend on intact ecosystems. Episode 3 explored this deeply. John Pattison‑Williams returned to the podcast to lead this conversation with Silke Nebel of Birds Canada and University of Calgary professor Paul Galpern. They examined species at risk, habitat loss and the scientific, financial and policy‑based tools that can help protect vulnerable species. As the episode noted, “Grasslands are intrinsically tied to biodiversity” and conserving them means conserving the life they support.

Who’s at the table? Everyone

Episode 4 expanded the lens to the people shaping the future of grasslands. Kaylee returned to host this diverse panel including agrologists, Indigenous leaders, policy experts and producers. Their discussion underscored that grassland stewardship is a shared responsibility. Whether through Indigenous knowledge systems, agricultural innovation, policy development or community‑based conservation, each voice brings essential insight into how we protect and sustain these landscapes.

Managing for sustainability

Grassland management is not one‑size‑fits‑all. This week’s episode explores grazing, fire, shrub management and bison stewardship with guests Tom Harrison, Alvin First Rider and Serena Black. Their experiences, from cultural burns to advanced grazing systems, show how traditional knowledge and modern science can work together to support long‑term sustainability.

Riparian areas: The edges that matter

Episode 6 will turn to riparian areas, those transitional zones between land and water that play a crucial role in grassland health. The conversation will touch on watershed management, ecological restoration and innovative practices like drone‑seeded forages.

Making grasslands cool again

Grasslands have inspired art, literature and film but their cultural mystique has faded. Episode 7 asks how we can rekindle public fascination. Guests will explore storytelling, education and the emotional connections that motivate people to care. As the episode asks, how do we “win the public’s heart, so their minds and hands will be engaged”?

Looking ahead: Youth, innovation and human‑centred change

The final three episodes focus on the future. Youth voices share their hopes and challenges. Researchers and ranchers discuss emerging science and stewardship. And natural resource social scientist Brooke McWherter explores how human‑centred approaches such as systems thinking, collaboration and community engagement can drive meaningful change.

A season worth exploring

Forage and Grasslands Unpacked offers a rare blend of science, story and lived experience. It’s a reminder that grasslands are more than landscapes. They’re communities, histories and futures intertwined.

Join the CFGA on this journey and explore the full season on:

·      Spotify

·      Amazon Music

·      Apple Music

·      Audible